Murphy’s Kittens 501C(3) came into existence in 2019 as an adoption organization but was quickly overwhelmed with the abandonment of cats as COVID-19 spread across the state. I joined in 2021 to assist with fundraising and re-homing the exploding feline population. As the virus ebbed, a disproportionate number of cats were returned as folks headed back to the office or extended holidays. We realized we were in a double bind; COVID drove cats into shelters as incomes dried up or homes were lost and then, on the back end, many that had been adopted over those 18 months were back in our care.
Recognizing that re-homing unwanted cats, without a way to stop the flow of kittens, does not address the root of the problem so we decided to move in another direction.
An overhaul of our mission statement has led us to the closure of a physical location so that we can dedicate all our resources to TNR and to keeping owners with their cats. The traditional view of trap and release envisions feral communities where a carer is willing to feed and monitor a colony. Yet, our foray into this area has forced us to expand that limited definition. All too often, we are summoned to help in situations where there are ferals, semi-ferals, friendlies and indoor cats all in one location. Desexing only some of these populations seems futile so we have adopted the position that “we are here to help” no matter the way in which the cats are categorized.
Recently, we rushed to the aftermath of a mobile home fire where the caretaker was feeding about 25 cats after the owner was unable to secure the attention of any of the well-funded local shelters. Some of the felines were his, some had been dumped, some had multiplied and others had wandered into the fray for a free meal. Locating a safe place to which the cats could be moved was our first priority, but afterwards we grappled with having to desex, address illness and injuries and find long-term homes for these animals.
One sunny afternoon, we were called because a bevy of abandoned kittens needed relocation. Upon arrival, we were “gifted” the babies and then arranged to have the Good Samaritan’s own cat tested, desexed and inoculated.
Our countless rescues reveal that one size does not fit all, so we tailor each response to meet the needs of the cats and the people caring for them. Unfortunately, resources are the greatest impediment to saving more lives, but garnering funding seems next to impossible. We do not have a flashy building or financing for swanky galas; we just have our director, two great volunteers and me — none of whom are paid. Consequently, other than what we need to care for the many cats in our custody, we have no overhead.
Thanks to our partnership with the Humane Society and Southeast Veterinarian Hospital, we have spayed and neutered more than 75 cats this year alone and covered bills for broken legs, infections and other curable maladies. Additionally, we purchase food, litter and medical supplies to ensure that folks can keep their kitties when money gets tight. Murphy’s Kittens is honored to assist whenever we can but without sustained funding, the current situation is not tenable. We look to our community to help us help them!
Learn more at murphyskittens.org.
