Daily Photo: Seventy-five Cats and Some Shenanigans at HCMT Clinic

Today was the Homeless Cat Management Team annual Spay Day Free for Ferals Clinic hosted “with gratitude to HCMT for all they do” by Fred & Dawn Riedel. Thanks so much for making this well-timed clinic possible when unaltered cats are out there looking for a good time.

About 100 stray and feral cats were scheduled but with some problems in trapping only 75 were registered and serviced but that’s still 75 cats who will not be reproducing in the coming year. I don’t have the stats yet on how many were male or female and how many females were pregnant already and other interesting details, but with three veterinarians, Dr. Lohr, Dr. Tarter and Dr. Mendlowitz and several veterinary technicians who volunteered their time and skills, and a whole bunch of others who treated cats post-surgery, cleaned cages and traps, monitored cats in recovery, checked in, checked out and called owners, all the surgeries were finished by about 2:00 p.m. with time out for pizza. And some cat bearding, in a way.

Above a gray Persian-mix cat who was trapped from the outdoors was so matted that he had to be completely shaved and filled the trash can with a mountain of tangled gray fur. Below Frankie’s Friends’ live-in veterinary technician and clinic volunteer Lindsay Joyce and HCMT board member and ace cat rescuer Michelle Miller decided to have a little fun.

These are just two items on a table of cat-themed jewelry and gifts available during check-in. All items are donated and all proceeds go directly to support the clinics. I got a mint green cat soap to match my bathroom and another cat pin, and I am loving my cat-print slippers.

Rescuer and cat foster Kaytee Bixler is expecting a human baby in April, but she still doesn’t hesitate to not only live with cats but she also fosters in her home and volunteers at the clinic. As long as a pregnant woman is careful what she handles it’s perfectly safe to have cats in your life while you are expecting. Another cat rescuer bought her these onesies as a gift for her baby. Kaytee also models the new t-shirt design with “TNR” placed strategically on her belly. This child has no chance to think otherwise.

Speaking of those t-shirts, check out the group of volunteers modeling the shirt right outside the clinic door!

The tees just arrived, designed by Margo Cicci Wisniewski. They are printed in white on navy shirts, and the full design is at left modeled by Michelle Miller. Note that the cat is ear-tipped.

Tomorrow I’ll begin an “auction” of one shirt to raise as much as possible toward the next clinic, and I’ll be providing information for where to purchase the shirt if you just have to have one, as I’m sure you will.

A number of cats will be available for adoption after this clinic as well as other rescues who’ve been in foster. They’ll be in my “Cats For Adoption” post tomorrow. Below meet Lionel, a friendly and handsome long-haired tabby who walked up to volunteers in the Ford City trailer park rescue and asked to be rescued. He’s positive for feline leukemia, but is still looking for a loving home to live out as much time as he has.

Below, a slideshow of photos from the clinic.

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All images used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission. Please ask if you are interested in using one in a print or internet publication. If you are interested in purchasing a print of this image or a product including this image, check my Etsy shop or Fine Art America profile to see if I have it available already. If you don’t find it there, visit Ordering Custom Artwork for more information on a custom greeting card, print or other item.

Click here to find out how you can help homeless cats and get a gift certificate!

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