Please Don't Forget Forgotten Felines

It's a heart-wrenching by-product of an economic recession when former family pets are abandoned by their owners due to financial hardship.

The facility that witnesses a direct relationship between hard times and an increase in its numbers is Forgotten Felines, the no-kill, non-profit cat shelter in Westbrook.

Carol Andrecs, president of the all-volunteer organization, said that due to the economy, individuals and families drop off their cats at the shelter because they cannot afford to keep them. Others just leave their cats behind when they move. Many cat owners neglect to have their cats neutered or spayed because of the costs associated with the procedure, thus adding to the over-population of cats along the shoreline.

The trend is only getting worse. In July 2005 when the organization moved into its new building, it had between 60 and 70 cats under its care. Today, it has between 150 and 160 (in the facility and fostered). The amount of cats coming in also exceeds adoptions. For example, in 2009, volunteers rescued 285 cats but only adopted out 181.

For all these reasons, Andrecs is appealing to residents along the shoreline to not forget about Forgotten Felines. Many, many rescued cats are available for adoption at the shelter. They come in every size, color, age, and personality to fit an individual's preferences. For those who cannot adopt a cat, a financial donation is always appreciated as the shelter is run solely on contributions from the community. Another way anyone can help is by volunteering. The shelter has more than 100 part-time volunteers for the many tasks involved in running the operation including fostering a cat at home, working at the shelter, cleaning, making supply runs, transporting cats to the veterinarian, grant writing, and more.

For anyone wishing to adopt a cat or two, the good news is the financial costs associated with spaying or neutering a cat are already taken care of for every Forgotten Felines adoption. Each and every cat in the facility or in foster care has been spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and tested for fatal, contagious feline diseases. Feral cats are released into managed colonies where they are fed and sheltered.

Forgotten Felines rescues homeless cats in the towns of Guilford, Madison, Clinton, Killingworth, Westbrook, Old Saybrook, Essex, Ivoryton, Deep River, and Chester.

For 16 years, the shelter has existed to provide a safe, healthy, warm, and clean home to
hundreds of rescued cats. For more information on adopting or volunteering, visit
www.forgottenfelinesct.org or call 860-669-1347 for an appointment.