JAN. 22, 2024 – Eric Phelps, of Sister Kitten Animal Rescue, has been feeding the feral cat inhabitants in Asheville’s River Arts District. (Photo credit score: WLOS workers)
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) —
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“Always been a cat man, had cats my entire life however didn’t know something about these cats that lived outdoors,” Phelps stated.
Several years in the past, some buddies alerted Phelps to the feral cat inhabitants.
“It was simply one thing that struck a chord with me, and I simply wished to start out serving to as lots of them as we may,” Phelps stated.
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News 13 caught up with Phelps and volunteer Leigh Anne Ray at a feral cat colony within the River Arts District. Phelps stated it is considered one of about 10 colonies in Asheville, making for a complete of 40-50 cats the group feeds.
But we solely noticed just a few at this assembly, a black and white cat named Oscar, later joined by Roxy and Gracie.
“I want we had a digicam on them on a regular basis, questioning who’s coming at night time that we by no means see through the day,” Ray stated as she watched two of the cats eat.
“They are completely no totally different. They don’t have any totally different wants than the cats that you’ve at home,” Phelps stated. “They’re precisely the identical animal. It’s simply that these guys are unsocialized to individuals and so they’re terrified of individuals.”
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Sister Kitten traps as many ferals as doable and will get them spayed or neutered. The friendlier cats are fostered and adopted. But, for a lot of, it is again to the colony.
With a number of the coldest winter climate on the best way, there’s an additional problem of offering heat shelters.
“You don’t wish to use issues like towels or sheets or blankets,” Phelps stated. “You wish to particularly use straw. Straw is fairly common for animals residing outdoors.”
“These cats aren’t totally different than your cats inside, and so they deserve simply as a lot love and care,” Ray stated.
Sister Kitten is totally donation-based. If you are excited by serving to, click on right here.