TO CAT LOVERS and CARING INDIVIDUALS:

Being a caretaker and managing a cat colony is part-time employment without income.

I had been introduced to the necessity of trapping cats in 2018 and am the only resident caring for them near my apartment building and the adjacent buildings in my section. While the praise for the dedication has been acknowledged and appreciated, it is more community involvement that is required. My unplanned involvement with trapping cats began within three months of my retirement.

In one of my most recent Facebook LOST pet postings for the roaming cats FOUND near my patio (who reside on the 100 wooded acres property with 835 rental units at the Chelsea Ridge Apt Complex), someone had commented with a suggestion that I create a Go Fund Me Fundraiser. I feel it may now be a good opportunity to raise funds for the spay/neuter vet bill expenses for the community cats. These cats had been abandoned, dumped, or born on the property. In some instances, they wandered onto the property from adjacent properties located on 9D, Chelsea Road, and Sky Top Drive.

From October 2020 - December 2025, the vet bill expenses for treating wounds, medications, spaying/neutering and vaccines, and donations contributed to rescues for placing the community cats have totaled $3,403.53 (with one senior cat in particular requiring seven vet appointments within 19 months, costing $2,210.10). These expenses to date have averaged $54.00 per month for the past 5+ years. A local organization had paid the initial fees of spaying/neutering, vaccines, and meds (if needed) for the first 4 out of 14 cats which I had personally trapped on the property.

In addition to the Go Fund Me Fundraiser, I am considering creating an auction opportunity Facebook page, HELP AND CARE FOR THE COMMUNITY CATS OF CHELSEA RIDGE APARTMENTS to include new and used (like new) various household items for bidding on. The amount you bid to purchase an item that you win, would be money contributed to the cost of moist and dry cat food and treats, crates, traps, etc.

Currently there is a new cat appearing on my ring cam since October that would need to be trapped for spay/neuter and checked for microchipping and posted as FOUND in Lost Pets.

The last two remaining cats appearing at the feeding station are semi-feral community cats that I began seeing from 2018 - 2023. These cats have been trapped and spayed/neutered previously. The plan, as their caregiver, is to feed daily (while continuing to earn their trust), which may encourage them to approach me comfortably within three feet and gradually less, and eventually touch and have close interactions with them. Once this goal is met (could be a long or short process), they will become fully socialized and ready to be considered an adoptable pet with a rescue or an individual.

I would love to introduce the more willing residents to uncomplicated trapping methods that I have found useful. If there are any concerned residents interested in helping to care for the cats with trapping/feeding (especially during times when I am overwhelmed or not able to), please send me a message directly. Anyone residing on the patio level at the complex would be situated in an ideal location to assist.

The good news is that from November 2018 - December 2025, I have successfully found shelters/homes for 14 of the community cats (an average of one cat every six months requiring a home). I have also trapped and brought 14 community cats for spaying and neutering from February 2020 - July 2025 (an average of trapping one cat every five months).

This is a process but, with the support of the community we could help to keep most, if not all of the cats safe and healthy with a possible life indoors. There is a strong need for more people to become involved. It is a community issue that is ongoing. Please consider becoming a part of the solution to find homes for the cats and to prevent a further overpopulation crisis.

Thank you and if you would please share with others, it would be greatly appreciated!