Portland Audobon Society

Day draws attention to goal of spaying, neutering feral cats

Northeast Portland resident Eric Phelps has been trapping feral cats for neutering for years, ever since he rescued a litter of kittens from an abandoned building in Virginia. He helped wrangle cats in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Now he's lending his trap-neuter-return skills to a new task force in Multnomah County.

Phelps is a volunteer with the Apartment Cat Team, a pilot program launched by Multnomah County Animal Services in conjunction with the Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon . They plan to reduce the feral and stray cat population in high-density areas such as apartment complexes and mobile home parks through trap-neuter-return efforts and outreach to tenants and property managers.

"Our goal is to keep them out of the shelter, because if they're feral, they're not going to be adopted," says Ann Potter, MCAS volunteer coordinator and leader of the effort.

Their efforts are part of a national campaign highlighted on National Feral Cat Day on Sunday, Oct. 16. Feral Cat Day was launched in 2001 by Alley Cat Allies, a Maryland-based national cat advocacy group, to increase awareness of feral cats, promote trap-neuter-return efforts and highlight people helping feral cats.

The Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon has been working to reduce the area's feral cat population for 16 years. For a $30 donation, the Portland-based nonprofit provides trapping guidance, vaccinations, ear mite and flea treatments, minor medical care and spaying or neutering surgery. At the end of each procedure, the cat's ear will be "tipped," a sign noting the cat has been spayed or neutered to avoid future traumas for these shy felines.

Feral cats are untamed domestic cats. They are usually born to a feral or stray mother and are very frightened of humans. They become more feral with each generation, although kittens younger than seven weeks are the easiest to tame.

Stray cats are lost or abandoned cats that are still friendly to humans.

The Audubon Society of Portland captures domestic ducks and ...

Tuesday morning, the Audubon Society of Portland has coordinated a survey of domestic ducks and geese at Westmoreland Park in South Portland.

With Portland Parks & Recreation and federal wildlife officials, the Audubon Society works to save the domestic birds in the park, where it is often difficult for them to co-exist with their wild brethren.

Ducks and geese will be given to families and farmers who can take care of them in a safer environment.

A number of ducks and geese have been abandoned in the park, according to the Audubon Society.Most of them are ill equipped to survive, they must compete for food and nesting space.

Tuesday's raid is part of the effort of the city to restore the Crystal Springs Creek, which runs from Reed College with the pond in Westmoreland and Johnson Creek.

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