Speaker: Patsy Oxner, Chair of Colchester Chapter of CARMA (Cat Rescue Maritimes)
Patty moved to Truro from Manitoba in 1988 and resided here until 1998 when she moved to Dartmouth. She returned to Truro in 2015. While living in Truro the first time, she became involved with the Colchester SPCA and at that time was a volunteer Special Constable for four years. There were three who investigated cruelty to animal cases. This work introduced her to her love of animal care and rescue. While in Dartmouth she did not pursue this love other than caring for her own animals and donating food and litter to local rescues in the HRM.
When she moved back in June 2015 she was introduced to a small group called Colchester Castaways. In September 2015, she, along with two other people branded a TNR rescue called The Wayward Cats Society. At that time they were a group of three but within a short time, they grew larger and introduced a board of directors. Patsy was elected Chair and has held that role through the transition to CARMA. She is an active member of CARMA and participates in all functions and needs of this group, from the daily operation to fundraising, and recruiting of new volunteers.
TNR stands for Trap, Neuter, Return. Cats who live throughout the county in colonies she calls community cats. The wild cats are trapped, neutered, and then returned if possible to their original location. They are relocated if the location was unsafe, perhaps to the barn of a cooperating farmer. They try to adopt out any kittens and any adults who have suitable personalities. The cats are marked with an ear tip so if they are trapped again the volunteer can just release them right away.
In 2016 Wayward Cats organization trapped 107 cats, in 2017 it was 328, in 2018 it was 187. In 2019 they trapped 207 and 63 were adopted.
In 2019 Wayward Cats joined up with CARMA which is an organization that started in NB. There are 10 NB chapters and 4 in NS, soon to be 5. They get financial support from the national CARMA network, from Pet Smart and the United Way, and from fundraising events and personal donations and adoption fees. Their February fundraiser is a Spaygehetti dinner and they have a book sale in the fall. CARMA’s community partners include DAL’s vet tech program, Colchester County, Dartmouth SPCA, the Truro Vet Hospital, and animal control officers from the surrounding area.
Besides fundraising, the volunteers educate the public at the mall and as invited speakers. They do the trapping and look after colonies by watering and feeding, and making sure to reduce the amount of food as the size of the colony decreases.
The TNR method (trap, neuter, return) has proven to be more effective at reducing the size of community colonies than trap and kill programs. It is non-lethal and stops breeding. Other benefits are a reduction in roaming, howling, spraying and other nuisances such as defecating in gardens.
Laurie Sandeson thanked our speaker. Laurie has used CARMA to help at her farm and has appreciated their service.