Cat lovers come to the rescue

By Marty Metzger
Correspondent

It was a saintly admonition from a 13th century friar that prompted a 21st century self-sacrificing response.

"Not to hurt our humble brethren is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough," wrote St. Francis of Assisi. "We have a higher mission --to be of service to them wherever they require it."

Those words spoke to Sarah Swanty. She and Anna Neubauer had worked together for nearly eight years as vet techs at South Mesa Veterinary Hospital. Throughout that humane tour of duty, the pair shared a desire to establish a cat rescue. A year ago, wish became reality in the form of the Fort Collins Cat Rescue. Ten months later, FCCR received its 501(c)(3) (nonprofit) status.

The initial facility was a modest endeavor. Swanty and Neubauer had both quit their jobs and money was tight. The quarters, in the Small Mall at 2321 E. Mulberry St., soon filled with felines that were owner relinquishments, strays and transfers from other shelters.

The rescue is still located in the Small Mall but has expanded its size. The bright, cheery cat room is a neat and clean assortment of stacked, roomy cages, cat tents, climbing condos and toys.

Incoming cats are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, FeLV/FIV tested, properly socialized and put up for adoption. As with other no-kill shelters, residents run the gamut of type, size and age, including older and special needs kitties. The rescue's goal is to find the perfect home for each.

Most cats enjoy lots of playtime outside their cages. The sight of 30 or more cats strutting, lounging, happily interacting or just stretching out for a snooze on a sunny windowsill warms a cat lover's heart. It's easy to see that these are happy, well-cared-for felines. All they need are forever homes and doting, human families.

In addition to Unit 12A, additional space has been acquired for a low-cost spay/neuter clinic, which is currently open to the public by appointment only on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Here, low-income cat (or dog) owners can use a variety of affordable services, including spay/neuter surgery, vaccines, FeLV/FIV or heartworm testing and microchipping, available in large part due to the generosity of Fort Collins veterinarian Thomas Welsh.

One day last August, he showed up at the rescue's door asking how he could help. Dr. Welsh had found out about the fledgling group through PUP (Prevent Unwanted Pets). Since then, he's donated time and valuable expertise caring for the medical needs of the shelter's cats.

Dr. Welsh closed his private practice in January 2006, but is by no means retired. Besides his many hours per week at FCCR and the spay/neuter clinic, he works at Weld County's Humane Society twice a week.

"I've always had a place in my heart for shelter critters," Dr. Welsh said.

A staunch advocate of curbing pet overpopulation, Dr. Welsh is excited about the spay/neuter clinic. "Costs for these services can be a real stumbling block for students and older folks," he said.

Dr. Welsh urges Weld County residents to take advantage of a spay/neuter program funded by a state grant he received through the Pet Overpopulation Fund (an income tax check-off). He performs the surgeries at Weld County's Humane Society. Details are available by calling the Fort Collins Spay/Neuter Clinic at 484-1861.

Dr. Welsh ranks up at the top of Swanty's praise list. She also gives glowing reports about the rescue's other volunteers, including the Juniors (under age 14), whom she credits with providing "great socialization for the cats," while simultaneously benefiting from this "good way to teach children the responsibility of having a pet."

Swanty mentally tallied the number of cats that have come in since June 2006. In excess of 358 lucky felines have found new homes through FCCR. About 35 at a time are housed at the Mulberry Street facility, with 50 mothers and their kittens cared for in foster homes.

Two of the original 17 cats, Jazz and Kersey, still eagerly await placement. Both are 9-year-old sweet, personable, spayed females. Their age apparently puts off people, but since cats can easily live 18 to 20 years, these middle-aged beauties have lots of love left to give.

The ranks of needy cats swell for a variety of reasons. The December blizzard caused the rescue's phone to ring incessantly with calls from folks seeking help for strays that had shown up at their doors. These hapless creatures had been abandoned to the elements before deep snow and drifts further complicated their ability to survive. None were ever claimed, but all have found new homes.

FCCR offers a Sponsor a Kitty Program, which helps make older and special needs cats happy and comfortable, since their stays at the rescue can be very lengthy. Money goes for special dietary needs, medications and the cat's "rent" at the shelter. Sponsors can find updates about their selected kitty on the rescue's web site and might even receive an e-mail message from kitty every now and then.

Those words of St. Francis that so touched Sarah Swanty urge the Fort Collins Cat Rescue on in its efforts to make every cat a wanted cat. Anyone who shares this goal can get involved. To help, adopt or sponsor a kitty, or to obtain additional information, call the Fort Collins Cat Rescue at 484-8516 or visit www.fortcollinscatrescue.org. The Fort Collins Spay/Neuter Clinic can be reached at 484-1861.

Tax-deductible donations may be mailed to FCCR, 2321 E. Mulberry St. #12A, Fort Collins, CO 80524.