The Cat Fanciers' Association heads feline rescue operation

Eric Isselée / stock.adobe.com

Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) representatives have been partaking in a rescue operation over the last 2 months involving over 40 Havana Brown cats whose breeder/owner died in a vehicle accident on New Year's Eve.

According to an association release,¹ CFA volunteers collaborated with the Alpena County Sheriff's Office - Animal Control in Michigan, to recruit veterinarians and rescue/foster organizations in adjacent states to address the cats' urgent needs and transition them into foster homes. The operation has helped the CFA alter perceptions of the responsible pedigreed cat breeding community by informing animal welfare and rescue workers about CFA's role in enhancing cat welfare.

CFA got word of this situation from social media after the CFA registered cats were in the custody of Alpena County Animal Control. The CFA Breed Rescue Program (CFA-BRP) and the CFA Breeder Assistance Program (CFA-BAP)—the 501c3 "rescue arms" of the CFA—were instantly mobilized. These programs aid breeders in times of need or distress, intervening to help care for and re-home felines.

"Few animal control departments or rescue organizations are aware that this type of help is available when CFA-registered cats and breeders are involved. Our programs help prevent Animal Controls from becoming overburdened and prevent cats from being euthanized due to overcrowded facilities,” said Charlene Campbell, CFA-BAP chairperson, in the release.¹

Assistance from CFA has included grants to Alpena Animal Control for cat care resources and staffing, plus hands-on participation from program volunteers. A small rural animal control department, Alpena Animal Control was not prepared for such a large case and is grateful for the aid, according to the release.¹

Michigan law inhibits animals from being transported directly to out-of-state rescues without full vaccinations, spay-neuters, etc. Therefore, CFA volunteers transported the cats from Alpena Animal Control directly to veterinarians and then to foster homes offered by 501c3 home-based rescues. CFA funds also covered veterinary expenses when the felines were triaged, spayed, and neutered. The rescues only take in small amounts at a time because cats from this kind of traumatic circumstance require 24/7 hands-on care for successful socialization and recovery.

"I was overjoyed to hear that CFA could help the cats completely, from intake through adoption," said Michelle Reid, Alpena animal control officer. The operation gave her a "whole new perception of how CFA functions,” and now she aims to collaborate with them going forward to plan a vaccinate/spay/neuter weekend clinic for cats in Alpena.

Reference

The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) takes the lead in massive feline rescue operation. News release. Cat Fanciers' Association. March 11, 2022. Accessed March 11, 2022. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-cat-fanciers-association-cfa-takes-the-lead-in-massive-feline-rescue-operation-301500735.html