While cats often carry the stereotype of being solitary and aloof creatures, they are, in fact, social animals. When left abandoned or with minimal human interaction, felines have a tendency to form communities or colonies.
The Wild Ocean Whales Society (WOWs), known for its efforts in marine mammal rescues, has embarked on a new project: the Texada Island Feral Cat Initiative, or WOWs-Meows.
Founder Susan MacKay explained that while WOWs has primarily focused on marine mammal rescues in the past, including detangling otters from fishing nets and aiding distressed dolphin pods, the organization extends its support to wild or domestic animals when the need arises.
The initiative to rescue feral cats began in September 2022, aiming to provide these animals with an opportunity for a better life while also reducing the feral cat population in a humane manner.
“I didn’t anticipate us taking on the entire initiative, but when no one else stepped up, we couldn’t ignore it,” said MacKay. “After discussions with the board and realizing the extent of the need, we launched this initiative.”
Initially approached to assist with a feral cat colony and its kittens on Texada Island, WOWs-Meows expanded its efforts after discovering further threats, including rumors of animal poisoning.
MacKay shared that the rescue team encountered 17 cats suspected of poisoning, found dumped across five locations. The group retrieved and properly disposed of these cats, including two believed to have been pets.
“We ended up with a total of 26 kittens, but I’ve lost count, and all but one have been adopted out,” MacKay added.
Expansion of Rescue Efforts
The volunteer-run rescue and response program has recently extended its reach, now covering another area within the qathet Regional District as of January 2024.
“After addressing the spaying and neutering needs of the cats on Texada, we received a call about another colony north of town,” MacKay mentioned.
Partnering with a veterinarian in Comox on Vancouver Island and receiving support from BC SPCA-Powell River, WOWs-Meows has continued to expand its operations.
“With over 80 cats spayed and neutered, it’s clear that the primary concern is the exponential growth of these colonies,” MacKay emphasized.
She explained that just one unaltered pair of cats could potentially lead to 42,000 felines within a colony after seven years, underscoring the importance of population control measures.
Among the recently rescued cats was one who had been abandoned, likely due to its owner’s passing. This resilient cat, approximately 10 years old and adorned with scars from its time in the wild, finally found a loving family to adopt him.
“He had lived as a feral, battling for survival, with several scars, including one that folded his ear due to scar tissue,” MacKay recounted.
“While we’ve been fortunate to have dedicated volunteers from Texada, where it all began, we are in need of additional assistance with cleaning the holding pens and ensuring the cats are provided with food, water, and proper care,” MacKay stated.
She emphasized the necessity of community involvement in sustaining these efforts, stressing that effective population management is essential to prevent overwhelming cat populations.
Despite receiving some donations and funding, primarily from the previous year, WOWs-Meows relies heavily on community support. MacKay highlighted ongoing bottle drives and the critical role of individual contributions in covering direct costs associated with the initiative.
“We’re grateful for the support we’ve received so far, but continuous donations are vital to sustaining our operations and providing care to these cats in need,” MacKay concluded.
