It’s possible you will see a stray cat or two, maybe more, when you walk around Macomb.
Two women decided to do something about the large number of homeless cats by starting the Community Cat Project. A community cat is one that is not owned by anyone; instead, it lives wild on the streets.
Charlotte Durkin and Clare Kernek said the group’s mission “is to improve the lives of community cats by reducing cat overpopulation.” They also want to educate people about Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, and Return (TNVR).
They often partner with the Humane Society of McDonough County, which helps fund the neuter programs.
Bonnie Smith-Skripps, President of the Humane Society, said that spaying or neutering cats is the best way to reduce overpopulation.
“I know the shelter gets about, I think between 40 and 45 calls a week asking if they can access the spay-neuter program, because people are wanting to help,” Smith-Skripps said.
Durkin estimated Macomb is home to around 1,500 feral cats, which have no permanent homes and no owners. The feral cats often live in colonies that Durkin said can be as large as 20 cats.
Colony caretakers provide food, water, and shelter to the colonies.
When community cats are well fed, it reduces the amount they hunt and saves local bird populations.
“Community cats that are not provided with food will kill to eat if they are not able to scavenge enough food,” Durkin said.
Tri States Public Radio produced this story. TSPR relies on financial support from our readers and listeners in order to provide coverage of the issues that matter to west central Illinois, southeast Iowa, and northeast Missouri. As someone who values the content created by TSPR's news department please consider making a financial contribution.