Natalie is an eighth-grader at Strong Middle School and a resident of Durham. Already an accomplished writer, Natalie originally composed this essay for the Help Willy’s Friends newsletter, but once we read it, we knew immediately that her words would explain the program better than any others.
The Nat's Cats Project
No one can resist helping animals. Even for those who are not involved humanitarians, you can’t possibly ignore that tingly feeling that raptures your heart when you picture our fuzzy friends in need. However, for most those thoughts are reserved for the canine population. With their floppy ears and playful demeanor, dogs are the face of animal welfare. Cats in need are forgotten much of the time. Mark Paturzo of Help Willy’s Friends says that donations in their bins consist mostly of dog food. But feral cats are in a dire state.
Colonies of stray cats are multiplying rapidly and with consequences that most shelter advertisements don’t always mention. Cats are suffering; kittens are starving and running wild, commonly stricken with disease. Owners often dump their pet cats on the streets as they pack up and move without thinking anything of their dependable four legged creature.
Our feline friends need attention. That is the mission of the “Nat’s Cats” Project. Several Help Willy’s Friends’ bins have been placed around the area with the specialized logo of “Nat’s Cats.” While dog food donations are appreciated, food for cats would be preferred. I hope that these bins will strongly emphasize the need to feed feral cat populations. I will also be doing some fundraising to raise awareness for my project. All monetary donations will go toward the Spay/Neuter Fund that directly supports the prevention of increased of feral cat populations. I hope many will realize the importance of reaching out to stray felines.
So please, the next time your heart goes out to animals in need and you are considering making a donation, keep the forgotten feral cats in mind. Only we can change the future of those little lives.
