Ben Madilynn
SHREVEPORT, La. – The Robinson Film Center teamed up with Robinson’s Rescue Friday night to help adopt 20 cats during the Shreveport premier of “Cat Video Fest,” a compilation of cat videos made for the big screen.
“A portion of all the ticket proceeds are going to be donated to Robinson’s Rescue. It’s a win win situation for us and for the cats that are looking for their forever home,” said Robinson’s Rescue coordinator Alexis Svehla.
If you cannot adopt a cat, but still want to help a local shelter, fosters are needed. Some rescues will pay for most of what you need to temporarily welcome a cat into your home.
“We really need somebody to come in and help foster the kittens. If you take them into your homes, we will pay for bedding, food, litter, whatever. We just need people to open their homes for a few weeks,” said Serendipity Cat Rescue secretary Jeri Perez.
Shreveport-Bossier has a significant number of feral cat colonies also known as “community cats.”
“There is a very large problem of overpopulation in our area. There are a lot of free roaming cats out there that keep reproducing and are not fixed,” said Director of Port City Rescue Keri Mueller.
Due to the weather in Louisiana, cats reproduce yearly as opposed to seasonally. Cats can reproduce at four months of age and have a litter every two or three months.
Rescuers say trap, neuter, release (TNR) is the most effective way to help control the population. If ferals are not returned to their community, other cats move in and start repopulating the area. Citizens can request a trap, then bring a cat to a rescue to have it spayer or neutered.
“You use a cage that has a plate at the back. Once the cat is fully on the plate, the trap door will close. You can lure them in with strong smelling food,” said Sophie Ketchum.
If you see a cat with a clipped ear in your neighborhood, they have already been trapped and released.
“Cat Video Fest” runs through Thursday and you can find tickets here.
If you feel persuaded to foster, TNR or volunteer to transport cats, you can contact Robinson’s Rescue by clicking here.
