Volunteers in the First State are hoping to put a halt to the fast growing cat population that is seemingly taking over and keeping animal shelters at max capacity.
Nearly 10,000 free-roaming cats have been reported in the New Castle, Newark and Bear Delaware area, and that number will continue to rise as the cats continue to have kittens according to feral feline experts.
One cat and her kittens can grow to a colony of more than 20 in under a year, which leaves animal shelters with a tough decision as people continue to surrender animals. Now, a local no-kill organization is looking to bring a solution for the growing population of cats across the state.
Forgotten Cats, who provide trap-neuter and spay-vaccinate-return services to stray, feral and outdoor cats, is offering its services at no cost to Delaware residents thanks to a $200,000 grant from PetSmart Charities.
So far, 2,700 cats have been sterilized and vaccinated through the grant, which leaves room for about 1,300 more through April of next year.
Residents in Norhtern Delaware can contact Forgotten Cats to have them safely trap, fix, and return the feral, stray or unconfined pet cats in their neighborhood. The organization is hoping the effort will raise awareness of these services around National Cat Day on October 29.
Folks can contact Forgotten Cats at 302-429-0124 to report a roaming cat.
