After years of pushing for a trap, neuter and release program, the Prince Rupert SPCA recently received financial backing.
"It's extremely rewarding [to see the process start]. I've been working so hard and lobbying people for support; all the hard work has come to fruition," said Prince Rupert SPCA branch manager Anna Terebka.
Prince Rupert's branch received $4,300 from the BCSPCA legacy fund, with McLehenney Consulting contributing $500. The money will go to spaying and neutering a colony of feral and free-roaming cats, which Terebka says will "reduce the pain and suffering of unwanted litters".
All together, the $4,800 will spay or neuter about 30 cats. But that number could be affected by complications.
"Even though it's just a little step, at least it's a step in the right direction," said Terebka.
"It's just the beginning."
Terebka didn't reveal the colony's whereabouts, stating its caretakers are not comfortable with it being made public.
"The success of the program is dependent on a good relationship between the SPCA and colony caretakers," she explained, adding she and the caretakers will do the trapping.
Terebka met with the Pacific Coast Veterinary Hospital on April 8 to come up with an arrangement where any stray cats caught as part of the program will be able to be operated on quickly.
"Pet owners might have to wait a month, but we can't do that with feral and free-roaming cats," she said, adding capturing began later that day.