It’s almost spring in Plumas County, and for those in the know, spring means kittens. Many of our rural communities have large numbers of feral cats. When left to breed unchecked, each female cat can easily produce up to three litters of kittens a year. These quickly growing feral populations are vulnerable to disease, injury and predation. They pose a threat to local ecosystems and can expose pet cats to dangerous illnesses.
Two local cat rescue organizations, Friends of Plumas County Animals and Plumas Animal Welfare Society, have been collaborating since May 2023 to tackle the problems posed by booming feral cat populations. Together, they formed the Plumas Feral Spay/Neuter Project, which organizes spayathons twice a year. These volunteer-run events are timed to occur in March and October, right before the two main kitten seasons. The upcoming spayathon is planned for March 29.
Bringing TNR to Plumas County
Rose Buzzetta, executive director of Friends, is the driving force behind the work. Buzzetta, along with Louise DeLaney, director of PAWS, was disheartened by the exponential increase in local feral cat populations in the early 2020s. They were seeing animals with life-threatening yet treatable illnesses and injuries left to suffer simply because the county had no way of dealing with such an overwhelming number of stray and feral cats. More and more often, they found themselves turning away litters of adoptable kittens due to lack of space at their facilities.
Something had to change. That change came in the form of TNR: trap, neuter, return (or release). TNR programs have been successful worldwide in bringing down feral cat populations through safe, humane sterilization practices. During the twice-yearly spayathons, dozens of volunteers trap, transport, house and care for feral cats from around the county over a multiple-day period.
During these events, cats are spayed or neutered, given vaccines, ear-clipped to indicate fixed status, and kept safe and warm under observation until they have recovered from anesthesia and are ready to be released. All trapped animals are tagged with their location of origin on leg bands; their cages are also tagged. This ensures that they are released correctly. Cats are also screened for any injuries or health issues and treated accordingly with antibiotics and surgery when necessary. “It’s a lifesaver for the animals,” said Buzzetta.
“It’s a lifesaver for the animals.”
Rose Buzzetta, Friends of Plumas County Animals executive director
Highly skilled veterinarians and vet technicians provide care, volunteering their time and expertise to the event in exchange for a small pittance. Spayathon vets charge a heavily discounted rate of $25 per cat, and techs receive $150 each for their weekend commitment. This year, Bay Area vets Frank Merrill and Michelle Kelly, both of whom have a long history of connection with Plumas County, will be bringing along vet Maggie Lin and a half dozen vet techs.
“I am very grateful that the vets want to come up — they’re absolutely wonderful,” said Buzzetta. “I could have all the energy in the world, and it wouldn’t go anywhere if it wasn’t for the wonderful vets and techs.” Dr. Doyle Rolston, of Indian Creek Veterinary Clinic, provides the space and facilities for the spayathons.
Each spayathon is a huge undertaking. This year, Buzzetta and DeLaney have a goal of 100 cats, which will be brought in by volunteers from Chilcoot, Sierra Valley, Plumas Pines, Spring Garden, Greenhorn, Greenville, Quincy, Portola and the Lake Almanor-Chester area. “It’s going to be a challenge!” said DeLaney. Both women feel confident that it will go well. While the first spayathon was chaotic, they now have it down to a science.
Both DeLaney and Buzzetta consider the Plumas Feral Spay/Neuter Project a resounding success, primarily because of how well Friends and PAWS have been able to put aside any competition to collaborate. “We are in it for the good of the animals,” said Buzzetta. “It’s not ego-based at all.” Over the course of the previous three spayathons, well over 200 feral cats were successfully spayed or neutered.
A need for community support
The best part is that it’s all working. Since 2023, both Friends and PAWS have seen a significant and steady decrease in kitten populations. “It’s rewarding on so many levels,” said DeLaney. “The program has saved these cats from a life of unwanted kittens, disease and suffering.” Buzzetta agreed, adding that the decrease in feral cat population also saves the county money and helps Plumas County Animal Control by lessening the strain on their facilities.
“It’s rewarding on so many levels”
Louise DeLaney, Plumas Animal Welfare Society director
The goal, said Buzzetta, is to get the population down to a sustainable level. For that to occur, the project relies on funding from the community. Following a one-time $10,000 grant from the Plumas County Board of Supervisors in 2023 to purchase the initial traps, the spayathons are now fully donation-funded. Each event costs up to $7,500. The current price tag covers medications, antibiotics, vaccines, veterinary fees, space fees, porta-potty rental, food for the volunteers, lodging and travel reimbursement for the vets and vet techs, and other costs associated with the undertaking.
Funding for the March event came together at the last minute as a result of generous donations from High Sierra Animal Rescue, The Almanor Foundation, The Common Good Foundation, The Summerlee Foundation, Bread for the Journey and numerous private donors who supported the Plumas Feral Spay/Neuter Project TNR fund.
October’s event is still unfunded. Buzzetta and DeLaney are eager for help from the community. They already have requests coming in from local residents asking to have their area’s feral cat populations included in trapping plans for the fall spayathon. With the support of Plumas County locals, the Plumas Feral Spay/Neuter Project will be able to continue its crusade against feral cat overpopulation.