Jocelyne Durrenberger, President CaRMaH

 Cat Rescue of Marlborough and Hudson  Original Mission: to reduce community cat homelessness in Marlborough/Hudson area  50 volunteers  foster homes  PetSmart adoption center in Hudson 2014  300+ adoptions per year 100+ TNR per year

 Most cats from our towns, owned and surrendered, or TNR kitties  Shy kittens not quickly tamed were TNRd  July and August were hell months – too many kittens, not enough adopters  Sister in law adopts a kitten brought up from Tennessee, I could have spit!

 Irresponsible ◦ out of state cats displacing our adoptable cats and kittens  Greedy ◦ (My opinion) Dog rescues were importing to make a profit off overbreeding in the south  Short sighted ◦ Some areas of our state still underserved

 Fewer adoptable cats and kittens in our target towns  Partnered with Spay Worcester to take in adoptables, we had room sometimes  When summer hell months were over, kittens and young cats adopted quickly  TNR still about the same

 Higher adoptions of adults  Frenzy over kittens most months  Hell months not so hellish  Higher special needs adoptions  Kittens don’t linger in foster  TNR still consistent, broader area reached  Taking in more kittens from all over the state

 Soul searching ◦ Continue to target our towns? ◦ Expand to other areas of Massachusetts? ◦ Or (gasp) consider importation?

 Ability to import ◦ Building a new intake room ◦ MDAR approval needed  Health issues ◦ Beware the hidden ringworm kitty ◦ Tested for leukemia prior to transport?  Finances ◦ Cats not yet profitable

 Always, our area’s kitties get first priority, even the old/sick/nasty ones, but there are limits  Look to pockets of needy Massachusetts cats first, need a mechanism  Don’t let pretty southern kitties distract from local TNR  Work with sister rescue in high need area

 Stop the problem in problem states!  Promote TNR  Support sister rescues ◦ Education ◦ Grant supports ◦ Training/Outreach  Focus on one area at a time

Billy Brown 5 years old Chocolate and White No small children No other cats Swats when annoyed Devoted to his person, affectionate