Who we are
The Cat Connection is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization whose mission is two-part:
Trap-Neuter-Return
Feral cats are the offspring of
stray or abandoned household pets. Raised without human contact, they quickly
revert to a wild nature and form colonies where food and shelter are available.
TNR, or Trap-Neuter-Return, is a plan in which stray and
feral cats already living outdoors are humanely trapped, then evaluated,
vaccinated, and sterilized by veterinarians. Kittens and tame cats are adopted
into good homes. Healthy adult cats too wild to be adopted are returned to
their familiar habitat - a “colony” - under the lifelong care of volunteer
“caretakers”. Feral cat colonies can be found behind shopping areas or
businesses, in alleys, parks, abandoned buildings, rural areas… just about
anywhere.
The Cat Connection works to end
the growth of the feral population through TNR programs in many local
communities including Waltham, Newton, Brighton, Allston and Watertown. We
maintain many colonies in these areas, as well as several “unofficial” colonies
where volunteers feed one or two ferals in their back yards every day.
TNR begins and ends with volunteer caretakers, the dedicated
individuals who take the first action to help hungry cats living outdoors.
Caretakers:
§
Organize and fulfill daily feeding schedules in all seasons
and all weather;
§
Monitor the health of the colony, trapping and obtaining
veterinary care (paid for by The Cat Connection) for any ill or injured cats;
§
Convince resistant neighbors that TNR is in their best
interest;
§
Remember that this is a long-term commitment that must be
met every day.
Foster
Care and Adoptions
In our adoption program we work to locate new homes for
stray and abandoned cats and kittens. We provide food, medical attention, and –
when space allows – temporary shelter in one of our foster homes, while we work
to find permanent placement with responsible, loving families. Our foster
parents provide a safe and loving environment for these homeless animals. And
because our cats are fostered in private homes we can offer insight into their
personalities - whether they will be good with children, dogs, other cats, etc.
All prospective adopters are
carefully screened to ensure that they are ready to take on the
responsibilities inherent in caring for a cat. The Cat Connection asks for a
tax-deductible donation for each cat adopted. This donation, which is used to
feed and care for other cats in our system, allows us to provide a vet exam,
sterilization, and initial vaccinations to the adopted cat.
Our volunteer
foster parents make all of this possible. By being a foster parent, you, too,
could provide a safe, healthy, yet temporary home for a cat in need.
Foster
parents have saved many cats from a painful and dangerous life on the streets.
Having a place to live until they're adopted saves the cats from the euthanasia
they'd face in most animal shelters. Foster
parents truly are lifesavers, and the gratification of helping a family adopt a
loving companion animal is the best reward.
Surrenders
The Cat Connection is not a shelter, but there are occasions
when we are asked to take cats from their owners for a variety of reasons. We can offer advice, but limited resources
prevent us from accepting all of these cats into our care. We may at times be able to assist in seeking
new homes if the present owners are able to assist us with housing the cat in
need of a new home until we find one.