Ocracats, Inc., welcomes back Howard Johnson, a veterinarian from Boone, to conduct a free feral cat spay-neuter clinic Sept. 13, 14 and 15 at the Ocracoke Fire House.
Ocracats trappers will trap feral cats all over the island the evenings of Sept. 12 to 14 and asks islanders to keep their pets in on these nights.
The Sept. 15 date will be for appointments for pets needing to be spayed-neutered or requiring rabies vaccinations. Ear notches are optional for pets.
Please check the bulletin boards at the post office or Variety Store for clinic details and to sign up, or email ocracats@gmail.com with your information or questions.
Ocracats is trying to locate areas where there are feral cats that still need to be spayed/neutered.
If you have noticed litters of feral kittens near your homes, please note this on one of the sign-up sheets or email us. You do not have to be involved with the clinic by putting your name on the list, but we do need your permission to place a trap on your property. Spayed and neutered cats will be returned after their surgeries to the areas in which they were trapped.
Ocracats members and the vets need volunteer help for all phases of the clinic, specifically with trapping/releasing the feral cats, pre-surgery prep procedures such as washing and shaving the sedated animals trap assembly & cleaning, lunch and snacks, water for vets and crew.
Volunteers are also needed to record information for rabies certificates as well as documentation for keeping track of the TNR surgeries and cats. If you want to help, note you are a volunteer, write your name and phone number on the sign-up sheet.
Ocracats also is looking for lunch donations for the clinic workers on clinic days Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Anyone who can help with any aspect of the clinic is asked to drop an email to ocracats@gmail.com, or call Ruth Fordon, Ocracats president, at 252-475-0859, or Gael Hawkins at 252-921-0281.
These Ocracat clinics are held with support from the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Dept., and visitors who volunteer with the clinics, make cash donations or feed the colonies, said Fordon.
“Their efforts have made a huge contribution to Ocracats’ income for caring for the feral colonies,” she said about cat-loving visitors.
Mermaid’s Folly also is the retail spot for Ocracat tees, calendars and note cards.
“Ocracats is proud to be a part of such a generous and sharing community,” Fordon said.
