AFRP Volunteer Spotlight

Volunteer Spotlight

Lisa von Saltza-McElmoyl and Ebee, her constant companion even when helping feral cats!

The feral cat overpopulation statistics are alarming with an estimated 60 million feral cats in the United States. In Monterey County alone approximately 1,200 feral cats are trapped and euthanized each year. Feral cats manage a harsh existence scavenging food and hunting through freezing temperatures, rain, and the heat of summer. A few ferals may quickly grow into a colony of dozens of cats.

When Lisa von Saltza-McElmoyal came face to face with hundreds of cats struggling for survival in her community she decided to do something about it. Lisa moved to South Monterey County in 2001 and was immediately overwhelmed by the cat overpopulation problem. There were cats everywhere. Most people shrugged their shoulders. The cats were somebody elsefs problem. Some people just did not care. Others cared, but were too overwhelmed and did not know what could be done.

Lisa found out about the California VMA Feral Cat spay/neuter program. (Note: This free feral spay/neuter program ended in 2002.) She bought several traps and began the full-time job of trapping, altering, and releasing feral cats. She drove at least 80 miles five days a week to get the cats altered. The alterations were free and she paid $5 out of her pocket for the mandatory rabies vaccine for each cat.

Soon people began coming to her asking for help. Some people had as many as 20 or 30 cats on their property that needed to be trapped. Lisa went from backyard to backyard trapping ferals. Her only condition when asked for help was that she be able to return the cats back to the property after being altered. She even provides cat food to low income individuals who promise to feed and care for the cats on their property once altered.

Lisa has personally trapped and altered hundreds of feral cats. In just three years she can already see a huge difference in her community. The positive results of TNR (Trap/Neuter/Release) are seen immediately: no more mating yowls; fewer cat fights, wounds, and abscesses; no more sick, deformed, and dying kittens. Lisa reports that the areas where she has been trapping and monitoring for the last couple of years were once "jumping with cats". Now after TNR the number of cats has decreased dramatically. Every spay/neuter counts to decrease suffering for our feline friends.

Thank you Lisa for all your hard work!

Lisa joined the AFRP Board of Directors in January 2005. She is coordinating volunteer TNR effort for AFRP. If you need to rent a trap ($2/day) or need advice regarding trapping feral cats for TNR or for info about becoming a TNR volunteer, please call 831/333-0722. Also, please visit our feral cat resource page.
We are also looking for safe havens for ferals cats - a barn, greenhouse, art studio. If you have property with a small shelter the cats can use and would be amenable to having feral cats released in your safe location, please contact AFRP.

Every Volunteer Makes a Difference
Won’t you help us rescue more dogs and cats by becoming a volunteer?

AFRP depends on foster volunteers and donations from the general public to rescue approximately 1,000 dogs and cats each year. AFRP has many rewarding volunteer opportunities available. Get involved today!

If there is anything else you would like to know about Animal Friends Rescue Project, please email us at info@animalfriendsrescue.org or call us at (831) 333-0722. Also, let us know if you are interested in joining our mailing list.

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Volunteer Spotlight

Lisa von Saltza-McElmoyl and Ebee, her constant companion even when helping feral cats!

The feral cat overpopulation statistics are alarming with an estimated 60 million feral cats in the United States. In Monterey County alone approximately 1,200 feral cats are trapped and euthanized each year. Feral cats manage a harsh existence scavenging food and hunting through freezing temperatures, rain, and the heat of summer. A few ferals may quickly grow into a colony of dozens of cats. When Lisa von Saltza-McElmoyal came face to face with hundreds of cats struggling for survival in her community she decided to do something about it. Lisa moved to South Monterey County in 2001 and was immediately overwhelmed by the cat overpopulation problem. There were cats everywhere. Most people shrugged their shoulders. The cats were somebody elsefs problem. Some people just did not care. Others cared, but were too overwhelmed and did not know what could be done. Lisa found out about the California VMA Feral Cat spay/neuter program. (Note: This free feral spay/neuter program ended in 2002.) She bought several traps and began the full-time job of trapping, altering, and releasing feral cats. She drove at least 80 miles five days a week to get the cats altered. The alterations were free and she paid $5 out of her pocket for the mandatory rabies vaccine for each cat. Soon people began coming to her asking for help. Some people had as many as 20 or 30 cats on their property that needed to be trapped. Lisa went from backyard to backyard trapping ferals. Her only condition when asked for help was that she be able to return the cats back to the property after being altered. She even provides cat food to low income individuals who promise to feed and care for the cats on their property once altered. Lisa has personally trapped and altered hundreds of feral cats. In just three years she can already see a huge difference in her community. The positive results of TNR (Trap/Neuter/Release) are seen immediately: no more mating yowls; fewer cat fights, wounds, and abscesses; no more sick, deformed, and dying kittens. Lisa reports that the areas where she has been trapping and monitoring for the last couple of years were once "jumping with cats". Now after TNR the number of cats has decreased dramatically. Every spay/neuter counts to decrease suffering for our feline friends. Thank you Lisa for all your hard work! Lisa joined the AFRP Board of Directors in January 2005. She is coordinating volunteer TNR effort for AFRP. If you need to rent a trap ($2/day) or need advice regarding trapping feral cats for TNR or for info about becoming a TNR volunteer, please call 831/333-0722. Also, please visit our feral cat resource page. We are also looking for safe havens for ferals cats - a barn, greenhouse, art studio. If you have property with a small shelter the cats can use and would be amenable to having feral cats released in your safe location, please contact AFRP. Every Volunteer Makes a Difference Won’t you help us rescue more dogs and cats by becoming a volunteer? AFRP depends on foster volunteers and donations from the general public to rescue approximately 1,000 dogs and cats each year. AFRP has many rewarding volunteer opportunities available. Get involved today!