By: Sammy Pierre
Overpopulation
Over recent years, there has been a growing issue in the country with an overpopulation of stray cats. If you have been to the campus at Georgia Southern University then you’ll know that the issue has trickled down to Statesboro as well.
One of the main problems with having stray cats in the area is the rate at which they reproduce. Once kittens hit four months they can begin reproducing which can lead to an overpopulation of cats in an area.
The way Statesboro would have solved this in the past would have seen many of the felines euthanized. Although it seemed like a temporary solution for the time being, it often just led to an increase overall. Because the cats were being removed from their spaces, new cats would eventually come in and occupy the same place. This occurrence is known as the Vacuum Effect.
Another problem that comes with feral cats is the danger of disease. Cats in the wild that haven’t been neutered or altered have the risk of carrying toxoplasmosis. This disease can be harmful to people and specifically pregnant women.
One of the main issues behind local stray cats staying in certain areas can often be because of the resources offered in the area.
Deborah Kosina, volunteer and officer for the Humane Society of Statesboro and Bulloch County (HSSBC), says there’s a reason for this.
“If people keep feeding the stray cats with no intent to neuter them, of course they’ll stay somewhere where they can get reliable food and shelter,” Kosina said.
She went on to explain that cats are great at finding shelter and food so by feeding them you allow them to become comfortable in that environment and later start families of their own.
The Fix
Kosina is aware of the issue but feels like there has been progress made here.
“Ever since we introduced our Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program in 2018, we’ve been able to help save around 2,000 cats in Bulloch County,” Kosina said. The TNR program focuses on setting humane traps for strays, bringing them in to be spayed or neutered as well as vaccinated and ear tipped before being returned to their original location.
If the cat is found to be friendly, it will most likely find its way to the Bulloch County Animal Shelter where an owner may come looking for it. However, if the cat is deemed not friendly, it will go through the TNR program before being returned to the original location.
Kosina also mentioned how they provide the traps for people to use but because they only have a limited amount, it can be hard to constantly meet the demands. Due to small hiccups like this, she believes more volunteers isn’t necessarily the answer.
“People always say we need more volunteers but the answer isn’t more volunteers, we need people in the community to help where they’re at,” Kosina said.
She pointed out a multitude of ways people could get involved including fundraising, donating, fostering and adopting as well as shopping at their thrift store, with proceeds directly going towards saving local animals.
Along with the HSSBC, there are plenty of options in town to help deal with the overpopulation issue. One of them being Fixing The Boro (FTB).
Sarah Roehm, Director and one of the founders, is proud of the work they’ve been able to accomplish while working with the HSSBC.
“We’ve been able to have a great relationship ever since we got started in the community,” Roehm said.
In their working relationship, they’ve been able to assist each other through their TNR program as well as through fostering and adopting.
Roehm, a Georgia Southern graduate, said that she enjoys working in a college town like Statesboro.
“Being able to work in a college town is great because it gives the animals we have a new chance to be adopted or receive a new foster home even if only temporarily,” Roehm said.
Although still plenty of work to do, Statesboro is well on its way to becoming a “no kill” community.
Sources
Sarah Roehm: 912-205-5978
Deborah Kosina: 912-472-1127