Nicole Wallick, Warsaw, proper, stands beside her husband Michael. Every now and again, they discover it refreshing to get away from their busy schedules and simply loosen up. Nicole is the native president of Trap, Neuter, Return, an organization that helps cats survive and thrive. Photo offered by Nicole Wallick.
By Laurie Lechlitner
InkfreeNews
WARSAW — “We’re here for the cats,” acknowledged Nicole Wallick, Warsaw. “The cats are the victims in a struggle for survival. Some of them are half starved and injured. They need help. Our goal is to trap, neuter or spay, vaccinate and return. That way a cat has a fighting chance. There are too many unwanted strays out there.”
Wallick is the president of Trap, Neuter, Return an organization that helps cats survive and thrive.
“I’ve always loved animals. Cats have always been some of my favorites. I guess that’s because I had so many when I was growing up.”
When Wallick received Callie, an indoor/outside calico cat that was not spayed, she noticed firsthand the issues that cropped up. “She had litters of kittens. We finally ended up spaying her and finding homes for the kittens, although they weren’t fixed.”
About seven years in the past, Wallick volunteered as a foster for cats at New Hope. “There’s nothing so tragic as a young kitten dying in my arms because of another person’s irresponsibility. I believe it was then that I wanted to do something about the problem of overpopulation of unwanted cats.”
After doing analysis on the TNR program, Wallick was hooked. “Trap Neuter Return is very much a mainstreamed, scientifically based route to reducing overpopulation. According to Best Friends Network, the roots of TNR began in Great Britain during the 1950s and later in Denmark in the 1970s. At some point during that time, TNVR began to take hold in the U.S. as well, but it didn’t become part of the public discourse until the 1990s.”
Three years in the past, Wallick began a non-profit organization for her TNR program. “It’s intimidating to start any new business that requires a board of directors. I wanted to make sure it was done right. So, I enlisted the help of a friend who is well versed in the process.”
In late 2019, Wallick made plans to do the paperwork. Then she did some analysis to seek out out if Kosciusko County had a necessity for this system. “The results of my poll were a resounding yes!” Then she started a Go Fund Me account. “We raised $1,000 to buy about 15 traps.”
Her 501(c)3 non-profit designation solely took two weeks to get accredited. “That was during the COVID pandemic. Being approved so quickly is unheard of! When I got the news, I cried! I’d prayed for God’s will in all of this and truly believe He’s doing all of the work.”
This is how this system works: “We hear there’s a spot where they are having trouble with stray cats or owned outdoor cats. Our volunteers deliver the traps and show the residents how to use them. Residents begin feeding the cats inside the traps. When the cats get acclimated to them, the zip ties are cut, and the cats are trapped. Then they are transported to the vet where they will be spayed or neutered at a reduced price.” The cats are then launched again into their old stomping grounds.
“They make good pets, and we no longer have to worry about unwanted litters.”
Those having a cat downside could e-mail [email protected].
Wallick and her husband Michael have a son Ian at Purdue. Their daughter Jillian is an eighth-grade scholar at Edgewood.
Wallick can also be an addictions counselor.
