RIO LINDA, CA (MPG) - All cats need homes and someone to love them.  For some cats that will never happen. Thankfully, there is a big loving group in Rio Linda that loves and cares for just those unfortunates. I was aware of a feral cat issue when I was contacted by Sara Williams.  She invited me to hang out with her to see for myself.

For Sara it is a daily battle to help these feral cats. It is an uphill climb trying to take care of the many cats out there daily struggling for a meal, safety and some kindness. On this day she had 6 or 7 in cat traps, that she was taking to Elevation Animal Rescue to be spayed or neutered. One of these cats had an open cut just under the eye that would be treated along with being spayed or neutered. Sara told me that was a “mild” issue compared to what she has seen when she has gone to check the traps. There are half starved cats, kittens, fighting ticks, fleas all over their bodies. I asked her how she keeps her heart safe with all she sees? “Because, I know my friends and I are making a difference!”

We met the next day in my van, she needed a vehicle with lots of open space. I saw 6 cat traps covered in beach towels. She said this was nothing compared to the usual number she takes to get done at spay/neuter clinics. Once at the Elevation Animal Rescue, the traps are loaded into the side of the air-conditioned van. Tags are made out with due treatment and shots if needed. A black cat that had an open gash under its eye, also needed neutering. Once the cats were more awake than asleep she could take them home.

She told me there are several Feral Cat rescue groups on Face Book. She proudly showed me an “official letter” that had just arrived the day before. The Feral Cat Rescue group was now officially a tax-exempt organization.

I asked her to tell me how they trap the cats and how they even find out about where to set the traps.

She told me they get calls about too many cats in an area. They then go set out the traps. She wanted me to say, Never does she or her helpers, leave the traps unattended, it gets too hot and there is not enough space to keep water and food in the trap. Once a cat is inside, we cover it with a towel. After several have been trapped, we take them back to my house. We put water/food inside until taken to be doctored.

The cats have now been treated by a veterinarian, and have now been neutered/spayed, given rabies shots, wormed, treated for fleas and ticks; they are ready to be released to the area they were trapped in. I was curious, “How can you tell if a cat has not already been trapped and fixed?”

“Easy”, she said smiling, “If it is a male, they tip the left ear. If female, always the right ear is tipped as in life a woman is usually right,” and let out a big laugh.

Because Sara has experience with animals that are waking up after surgery, she is allowed to take them a little less awake then normal. She went in to settle the bill. Even if it is a low-cost spaying/ neutering, It still takes money to fund a veterinarian and staff that help in the Elevation mobile clinic. We loaded the drugged kitties and found out three of the females were lactating, meaning nursing babies. It was really important to get those three back TONIGHT for their babies. As soon as they were completely awake, eaten, they will be taken right back to their babies. The cat with the cut below its eye had a foxtail that had embedded in its skin, removed. The veterinarian put a few dissolving stitches in, then medical glued the opening shut. It has to be remembered these cats have this one chance to get this medical treatment. That means everything needing done, is done not expecting a return visit.

As Sara and I we were waiting to load the cats. She got a call, an emergency, a lady’s daughter had found a baby kitten and needed help. About 10 min later a car pulled up, this little girl and her mom got out with a very scared black/white kitten. Sara guessed about two weeks old from the teeth. The lady thanked her and they drove off. I held the kitten, she finished loading her cats into the van. Of course, we had nothing with us, but Sara told me it would all be fine, she had bottles and milk at home. Then she said, “This happens all the time.”

All loaded up, her holding the kitten, I drove her home. I was exhausted from the stress and the NEED for this Feral Cat Rescue. They run 24-hour shifts, all for the love of cats. I could go home now, but Sara has to watch all the surgery cats wake up, feed the new baby and set it up in a crate. Then make sure those lactating cats get back to their kittens, and cook her “wonderful, patient husband Randy” his dinner. Lastly, there were always cages to clean, cats to be trapped, buying food, giving medications (a powdered antibiotic) in their food before released if needed and finding herself some sleep time.

I was glad to find out what was happening in Rio Linda with the feral cats. To see for myself the selflessness so many, workers show towards rescued animals of all kinds! It can be birds, dogs, skunks, opossums, and even horses being rescued. It is heart breaking and many tears are shed as you can’t save them all! Please use the below information, and help by making a spay/neuter appointment. You will have until the end of May for this site. Spay or neuter your cat or dog as young as possible. Thank you. stay safe and hug someone.

Elevation Animal Rescue will be at: 6852 Dry Creek Road in Rio Linda until the end of May. You can book an appointment online at Elevationanimalrescue.com

Or you can call them at (650) 400-2906