TCERXITATSE
TAYLOR — From its recently remodeled shelter to its commitment to no-kill, Taylor cares about its animals. To help the city accomplish its humane goals, nonprofits help bridge funding gaps, sponsor foster programs for animals and work with the local cat population.
In Eastern Williamson County, one volunteer-run nonprofit is dedicated to meeting the unmet needs of the Taylor Animal Shelter.
Texas Critter Crusaders funds emergency surgeries and urgent medical care, runs a spay and neuter program and transports animals to receive care.
Volunteers also staff adoption events and place animals with foster families.
According to officials with Texas Critter Crusaders, or TCC, the organization helps the animals get adopted and have a healthy life while they are waiting on placement with a permanent home.
To do this, the nonprofit raises funds during the year and partners with other community organizations.
KITTEN SEASON IS HERE
It’s raining kittens, but many are born outdoors without families to care for them. These are community cats, or cats that often live in colonies.
Unsocialized by humans, these felines demonstrate feral behavior and live in the shadows, afraid of people. Their colonies can grow exponentially if left unattended, as females can have several litters yearly.
Each spring, the crew at the Texas Critter Crusaders tackles the cycle with its trap-neuter-return program. It works with community members and the Taylor Animal Shelter to identify unfixed feral colonies.
According to Melanie Rathke, president and co-founder of Texas Critter Crusaders, colonies pop up in the older neighborhoods and downtown Taylor. However, they are now finding colonies in the newer neighbors as cats use the connected drainage system to move around.
WHAT’S TNR?
According to AlleyCat.org, “Trapneuter- return is the humane and effective approach for stray and feral cats. Now in practice for decades in the U.S. after being proven in Europe, scientific studies show that trap-neuter-return improves the lives of feral cats, improves their relationships with the people who live near them and decreases the size of colonies over time.”
After Texas Critter Crusaders identifies the need for TNR, its trappers set up a drop trap and food under the trap.
“We try to capture kittens when they are young enough to be tamed. We’ll trap them; then the foster (person) will tame them. Once they are tame, they can enter the shelter,” Rathke said.
According to Rathke, a veteran trapper, some colony queens are hard to catch. One required extended daily visits and observing the cat’s routine for months before capture.
“I had to park a block away and walk. She’d look straight across the street and say, ‘There you are,’” Rathke said.
Trapping has gone hi-tech. Most trappers use a drop trap with a remote switch. Once the drop trap is set, cameras document which cats come to feed.
The captured cats are then transferred into individual traps for transport.
Before being returned to their colonies, the tip of a cat’s ear is also clipped to show it has been spayed or neutered. By releasing the animals back to their “pride,” populations of rodents and other vermin that carry diseases are reduced, officials said.
FIND CATS AND KITTENS?
Kitten season runs from spring until late fall. However, TNR is an ongoing initiative.
“During kitten season, we prioritize females,” Rathke said.
Her group uses several regional TNR services including the Austin Humane Society. In addition to spaying and neutering the cats, they receive vaccinations for rabies.
“Late last year, we finally convinced Williamson County Animal Shelter to let us participate in their TNR Program,” Rathke said.
“We are struggling with getting enough appointments,” she added, noting the organization receives 20 slots a month at the regional TNR programs.
According to Rathke, a new veterinarian recently moved to Taylor and does the city’s spay and neuter surgeries at the shelter, 701 E. Fourth St. The TCC will be able to slot in additional TNR cats on scheduled days.
To request assistance for the TNR services, email TCC at [email protected].
The mailbox will forward a form to fill out asking for the location of the colony, number of cats, presence of injured cats and pregnant females or kittens.
FOSTERING THE ITTY-BITTY KITTIES
TCC always needs people experienced in fostering animals to tame its kittens. The organization outfits its “fosters” with everything they need, from crates, formula and bottles to litter and food.
According to Rathke, fosters need to have a sheltered indoor location to keep kittens warm. The small cats need to be handled frequently to be tamed. Many come into the system with mild eye infections, which must also be treated.
TEXAS CRITTER CRUSADERS TO THE RESCUE
In addition to its robust TNR program, the Texas Critter Crusaders helps the Taylor Animal Shelter to cover veterinarian costs for sick or injured animals. Animal control officers occasionally pick up injured animals that need immediate care.
It’s not all about the felines. According to its website, the Texas Critter Crusaders tests, treats and medicates shelter dogs for heartworms.
According to Rathke, the TCC volunteers also place the shelter’s overflow cats in the in-store adoption kennels at the local Petsense store, located at 3100 N. Main St., Suite 125.
FORCOMPANIONANIMALS IN NEED
Veterinary care can be expensive. The TCC is working with its veterinarian partners to host clinics for companion animals this year.
The organization plans to host a lowcost vaccination and microchip event later this spring. After that, there will be a spay and neuter session for local pets.
To follow TCC opportunities, pet owners should visit facebook.com/ txcrittercrusaders.
SUPPORTING TCC
There are several ways to support the Texas Critter Crusaders.
A monetary donation is the simplest, allowing the organization to buy supplies in bulk and cover veterinary bills, often at a reduced fee.
The organization is participating in Amplify Wilco Day, or residents can visit its website: https://texascrittercrusaders. com/donate/.
The organization also accepts gifts in kind from businesses, such as products related to animal care, from food and litter to puppy pads.
Residents can also shop its Amazon Wish List and add another bag of food to their cart for the TCC.
Its list can be found at www. amazon.com/registries/gl/guestview/ 1BHK0813H4BPF Watch for its adoption events held during the year. The TCC partners with community organizations to provide lowcost or free adoption.
The Texas Critter Crusaders also host annual fundraising events. From its Spay-ghetti Dinner and Dance to popup events at the Vintique Market Days to its pet portraits with Santa, these animal lovers advocate for those without a voice.
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