Posted by Jim Garrett
 
 
Feral cats are everywhere.  Carol Blechschmidt, of downtown Pagosa Springs near Yamagucci Park, loves them all.  But Carol agrees with John Locke: life is nasty, brutish and short (certainly, at least, for a feral cat).  To show her love, therefore, she avidly traps them, neuters them (courtesy of a veterinarian), and (when recovered) releases them.
 
Trap, Neuter and Release is the name for a plan to reduce the population of feral and stray, homeless cats without resorting to euthanasia, conceived in Great Britain in the 1970s, Carol says.   The program has proven to be not only more humane than the alternative, but also less expensive, she adds.  Locally, the Pagosa Springs Humane Society is a supporter.  It supplied a trap to Carol to get her started on the progarm, and provides vouchers for the needed veterinarians’ services.
 
Carol described some of her experiences, including trapping (to date) 12 cats as well as six skunks (which seemingly regard the cat food bait as a delicacy).  Skunks are not really a part of the program, so Carol releases them (with great care and trepidation, but so far, without mishap).  But the cats get appointments with the veterinarian, for the neutering as well as a standard round of shots.
 
Carol described feelings of strong affection for at least some of the cats she has trapped.  But despite the loving care she provides, they remain very cautious of humans.  Based on her stories, it appears that even cats who may be willing over an extended period to take the food she puts out and to use the shelter she provides, will never let her get close to them.  (Of their wariness, Locke might say, I told you so!)
 
Her goal in describing her experiences with the program, Carol explained, is to encourage others to participate too.