We’ve visited the feral colony near Lake Saltonstall from time to time over the past few years. It seems fitting that we check in with them as the cold weather sets in.
Here is the scene when Hurricane Irene hit in 2011.
Charlene Vessichio, working with the Branford Compassion Club, has maintained this colony throughout hurricanes, heat waves, and blizzards. And while she cares for several others colonies, her heart clearly belongs to this group of cats.
Sally E. Bahner Photo
The calicos and golden tabbies blended in with the autumn leaves. Vessichio explained that October is the time the colonies are prepared for winter. Vessichio and Jim Rowan, another BCC volunteer, spent two full Saturdays thoroughly cleaning the snug little nuts scattered around the area and stuffing them with fresh hay. Wood barriers are set up against structures as protection against the elements.
Sally E.Bahner Photo
At present, there are about 10 to 15 cats in the colony. Vessichio says there were more than 20 when she took on their care about four years ago. We saw six orange tabbies, some calicos, brown tabbies, and a white grey and peach dilute-colored kitty. They’re all spayed or neutered. Sugar and Spike are related, she says; they’re calico and calico and white. Most of the orange ones are probably related as well, she noted.
Sally E. Bahner Photo
Sadly, Vessichio (pictured) noted that Bear, the large gray kitty she had befriended and who was on the verge of being adopted two years ago, had disappeared.
The cats all eagerly anticipated the hearty meal of canned food she dished up for them on plastic platters. Vessichio also cleaned various bowls and filled them with fresh water and some with dry food for snacking later on.
These community cats (as they are also known) are lucky to live in an accepting environment. Such colonies are frequently under fire and labeled as a nuisance and Branford has been no exception; a colony living around a local trailer park faced eviction earlier this year.
The colony we visit has the blessing of the property owner, who supports the care and feeding of the cats.
BCC relies on donations of money, time, and goods to care for the cats at its adoption center on Foxon Road in North Branford and the feral colonies it maintains. A steady stream of fundraisers – most recently “Coffee and… Cats” held in conjunction with the Greater New Haven Cat Project; Woofstock; and Animal Awareness – increase awareness of the needs of the shelter, while providing a lot of fun.
At the “Feed the Ferals” drive last month more than 300 cans of cat food were collected along with paper goods, bowls, cleaning supplies, treats, and toys.
Yes, even the community cats enjoy the catnip and mousies put out for them by Vessichio.
About Feral Cats
Feral cats are domestic cats that have been abandoned by humans to live on their own. They subsequently reproduce and the next generation of kittens in turn becomes fearful of human contact. It’s a problem created by human irresponsibility and ignorance about the need for spay or neutering or resources for placement when times get tough.
Feral cats naturally gravitate toward sources of food and live in colonies. Dedicated rescue groups take on take on responsibility for their care, most often through “trap, neuter and release.” Adult cats that cannot be socialized are trapped and neutered and released to their familiar surroundings. The populations decline through attrition. Kittens, and even some potentially friendly adult cats, are trapped, fostered and socialized and released for adoption.
The Branford Compassion Club and sister organizations such as Forgotten Felines in Clinton and the Greater New Haven Cat Project have armies of volunteers who care for these cats.
Other feral colonies across the country are not so lucky. Northumberland County in Pennsylvania passed a law banning outdoor cats, which means that feeding outdoor cats is outlawed.
In 2010, legislation was considered in New Jersey that would allow the hunting of feral cats. The American Bird Conservancy is highly critical of community cats and spoke out against legislation in Florida that would protect colonies, describing it as “the public hoarding of cats by feral cat activists.”
On a national level, Alley Cat Allies and Alley Cat Rescue serve as resources for local organizations and create models for towns and cities with community cat populations.
Cats are among the last animals to be domesticated, discovering the warmth of hearth and home about 4,000 years ago. Community cats do not choose to live outside under adverse conditions, but they are adaptable as seen with the Saltonstall kitties, who are plump and healthy – thanks to the efforts of people such as Charlene Vessichio and volunteers from the Branford Compassion Club.
For more information or to volunteer, visit www.branfordcompassionclub.org/ or email [email protected].
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