TNR in Polk County Florida
Feral Fanciers, Inc. was in the process of Trap-Neuter-Return (“TNR”), as well as caretaking of feral and free-roaming cats living in Saddle Creek Park, a 740 acre Park in Polk County, Florida (“Saddle Creek”). It was clear to anyone who had seen the Saddle Creek cats, that the majority of these cats were not “feral” cats. The cats in question were pets that had been abandoned by their owners. Unable to convince Polk County that trap and kill, or relocation, was not going to solve the issue for them, we were ask to relocate as many as we could by January 4, 2012. We were able to find relocation for approximately 65 cats, but there are still cats in Saddle Creek. In fact, there are reports to us of “dumping” every week. This has taken a toll on our Saddle Creek volunteer caretakers who truly love these cats. One way they try to deal with their grief is through creative expression of their sadness. Below is a poem written by one caretaker, and attached is a calendar of personal photographs of some Saddle Creek cats created by another. I hope you can see the heart and dedication that we see from these volunteers every day.
The Cats of Saddle Creek
A Poem by Lorraine Stocki
I did not chose to be here
I thought I had a home
But, then you tossed me from a car
And left me all alone
I ran and hid out in the woods
A week that I did fear
Until I saw some other cats
And hoped I could get near
As time has passed, I'm better now
the others let me in
We've food and shelter
It's not so bad
I'll make it, thick or thin
Wait a minute
What's this I hear
The Wizard's court is in
"You'll kill the birds"
That's what they say
The worse now, I do fear
"No shelter or no food for you"
They stated with a sneer
"And for all of you who feed the cats,
Stay back, you can't go near"
"They're killing birds
They've got to go
So take them far away
And if you don't get rid of them
We'll do it our own way
They brought in traps
our numbers thinned
We ran and tried to hide
But, people came
took us away
I saw some of them cry
It's not too bad
at this new place
We're fed
and we are loved
There's still some people
with kind hearts
Who are sent from God above
For the love of Saddle Creek Cats Calendar - Your gift with any donation of $10 or more.
If you prefer donating by check, you can send it
to Feral Fanciers Inc. at our mailing address:
FERAL FANCIERS Inc.
P. O. BOX 92330
Lakeland, FL 33804-2330
