The Feline Network
Posted by Anita Shower
Sandy Nichols introduced our guest speaker: Mary Buehnerkemper, on behalf of the Feline Network. Miss Mary is the proprietor of The Green Bargain on 9th and Grand in Grover Beach
The Network is a no-profit organization specializing in the placement of kittens and cats, has a spay and neuter program, has no paid staff, accepts monetary donations, doesn't have a shelter, and doesn't have an office. It is an all-volunteer program. It survives because of a newsletter, donations, and fund raisers. Money that comes in goes to animal care. People understand the spay-and-neuter approach to curbing pet population but people are reluctant to do so. Feline Network is the safety net for stray and homeless kittens and cats. The Network does humane trapping, has the cat that is trapped either neutered or sprayed. The animal is then released back to its colony so it may live its life. There are foster homes to socialize the animals. There are adopt-a-pet days at PetCo in SLO. There are specific and kind veterinarians who work with the Network. Volunteers have colonies of cats they do take care of. There are 'pockets' in Paso Robles, Nipomo, and Oceano where cats are populous. The Network has a Low Cost Spay and Neuter Program. There are funds available through this program for those who are unable to afford the cost of a spay or neuter for their cat or kitten.