DELTA, Ohio — There are an estimated 60 million stray and feral cats across the United States and northwest Ohio is no exception to these "community cats."
That's why a local nonprofit in Delta is working to lessen the number of unneutered or spayed cats and kittens roaming the area.
Compassionate Care Sanctuary rescues cats and kittens, placing them up for adoption. Additionally, cats that cannot find homes are given one at the sanctuary, and for those cats found outdoors, the sanctuary hosts a trap-neuter-return program to manage the population.
But Jennifer Pershing, founder of the sanctuary, said funds are tight and this work is costly.
One of the volunteers, Angie Ziegler, has been helping for about two years. She said she was drawn to the 100% volunteer-run organization because of all it does in the community.
"I decided to volunteer which led to fostering, which led me to fostering a lot," Ziegler said. "I've gotten hooked on it."
Ziegler has five foster cats and they're part of the over 40 cats under the sanctuary's care. Pershing said at least 16 need to be adopted to good homes. The nonprofit is working hard to adopt out, but the organization is still bursting at the seams.
"We just took in two more sanctuary cats that had been in foster homes for adoption that could not be adopted," Pershing said. "We are way beyond our capacity."
While trap-neuter-return helps lessen cat colonies in the area, the colonies are groups of female cats living outside with their offspring which is a timely, costly endeavor.
"By the time the cat breeds and has kittens, before the year's up, her kittens can have more kittens," Ziegler said. "This is a problem that's out of control. It's going to get worse unless we all just do a little part."
The suggestion of making them barn cats is a good idea. But Pershing said it's really not an option anymore because there are so many cats, the farmers don't need anymore. Pershing and Ziegler said if the sanctuary doesn't get help soon, things could crumble. Meanwhile, these cat colonies will continue to grow.
"Getting not just cash donations but cat food, cat litter, cleaning supplies, pet pads. Any of that," Ziegler said. "It's so big to us."
To learn more about how to help Compassionate Care Sanctuary, click here.