There is a small, dedicated group of people in the Fredericksburg area who work to help the forgotten and unnoticed feral cats that live all around us.  These cats are not only in need of being sterilized, but a lot of times are suffering in pain, and need of medical attention.  One female cat can give birth to 2-3 litters a year.  It is possible for a 5-month old cat to become pregnant.  They can be found in storm sewers, behind shopping centers, in wooded areas, and in neighborhoods everywhere.

I started working with feral cats a few years ago when I discovered a large colony in front of Spotsylvania Mall.  I was frustrated that no one was helping these cats and kittens that so desperately deserved a better life.  I then called Thea Verdak of the Rappahannock Humane Society, another local organization that practices Trap, Neuter & Return [TNR], and asked if I could borrow a trap.  Thea was very helpful and informative and helped me get my own organization – Shadow Cat Advocates, Inc. -- started.  There are countless numbers of cats in this area alone who exist through no fault of their own.  The problem begins with irresponsible pet owners who don’t sterilize their cats.  Sterilizing these feral animals should be considered a community effort.  A lot of people just complain about it, or think the answer is to euthanize these cats.  The answer is to stop the cats from reproducing.

Shadow Cat Advocates, Inc. [SCA] is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that focuses on helping the many feral cats in the Fredericksburg area.  We use TNR, shown to be the only humane way to effectively control the feral cat population.  We assist the public with sterilizing their feral cat colonies by loaning out humane traps and offering any advice that is needed.  Unfortunately, during spring and summer months, we are not always able to assist with funding the costs of sterilization, but can refer people to low-cost spay and neuter clinics in the area.  

SCA survives on generous donations from the public, and are in desperate need during this time of year. All donations are tax-deductible and go directly to help the cats.  We are an all-volunteer organization and have no paid employees.  We are currently searching for new volunteers who are interested in helping these cats.  We need people to transport cats to clinics, pick up donated cat food, feeding cats, and assisting with trapping cats.  We’d love to have someone join Shadow Cats whose talents may be in helping with fundraising projects.  Building warm shelters for the cats becomes a priority in the fall months to prepare for the cold winter temperatures.  We always need materials and hands to build them. SCA is also in desperate need of foster homes for cats and kittens.  We have several wonderful cats and kittens available for adoption.  We are not a shelter, and therefore do not take in people’s cats or kittens.  We also need farms for cats that we are forced to relocate because they are in imminent danger.  We are a No-Kill organization as well.

To view our cats and kittens that are available for adoption, please visit our website at www.sca.petfinder.com.  Any donations are greatly appreciated and can be sent to Shadow Cat Advocates, Inc., PO Box 514, Garrisonville, VA  22463.  To volunteer, contact us through our hotline at 540-657-5602 or via email at shadowcatadvocates@comcast.net
Cari Bartz is President of Shadow Cat Advocates, Inc.