Fort Norfolk
Corps Cats
Feral Cat Management Program
Essayons
(Let Us Try)
History
This document introduces a positive program that has been implemented to manage the feral
cat population on the Norfolk District property. Feral cats are the result of lost and
abandoned cats. If left to breed unchecked they can be a significant percentage of the
overall number of felines who make up the unwanted animal population.
Since the early 1990s, a group of Corps employees have, on their own time and with their
own resources, instituted a Feral Cat Management Program (FCMP) at Fort Norfolk in downtown Norfolk Virginia. Similar
programs nationwide have demonstrated their ability to reduce the number of unwanted cats
while maintaining the existing cats in a safe, healthy, peaceful environment.
Mission: The humane treatment of the feral cats that inhabit the grounds of Fort Norfolk
Goal 1: Reduce the feral cat population through the natural process of reducing births and allow attrition by natural causes.
- Initiate and maintain a trap/neuter/return (TNR) Program
- Identify cats that have been neutered and returned by ear tipping
Goal 2: Maintain the health and safety of the feral cats that inhabit the grounds of Fort Norfolk
- As part of the TNR program, have all cats tested for FIV/FELV, and inoculate
all cats against standard feline diseases
- Provide cats with healthy food and water in appropriate feeding stations.
Remove feeding related trash and debris
- Build and maintain shelters that provide a warm and dry environment for the Corps ferals.
To the extent permitted and possible, provide these in inconspicuous landscaped areas
- Cats who are ill or injured are trapped and taken to a veterinarian for treatment.
Minor injuries may be treated by the volunteer caretakers
Goal 3: Develop a cadre of volunteers, Corps employees and others interested in the program.
- As a self-help, no cost program serving the Norfolk District, coordinate volunteers to feed, trap,
and monitor the Corps ferals. Duties include the construction and maintenance of stations and shelters,
feeding the cats daily, and trapping Corps ferals who have not yet been the through TNR program
- Encourage local veterinarians to assist in the program either pro bono or at a reduced rate
Goal 4: Educate District employees as well as others to the functions and processes involved in the Corps cat program
- Develop teaching tools available to all Norfolk District employees that will help
them understand what feral cats are, why they are not dangerous, and how the program operates
- Demonstrate the importance of Corps employees voluntarily being involved in their District.
Such involvement shows a can-do spirit and demonstrates the Corps motto of Essayons (Let Us Try)
- To the extent possible, serve as a model self-help program that can be replicated in other Corps districts
Information & Education
Volunteers are connected with national organizations, such as Alley Cat Allies, which have been
established to provide resources and support for feral cat management. Alley Cat Allies operates
a network that links caretakers and helps educate the public on the humane techniques available for
feral cat managment.
Corps cats are an integral part of the urban wildlife scene and are beneficial to the environment.
They are a detriment primarily to the rodent population. Birds make up only a small percentage of their diet
when they rely solely on hunting for food. Feral cats at the Corps are healthy, and most have been
neutered/spayed. They are generally leery of humans and are not aggressive. Some are friendly with
the caretakers who feed them.
The spay/neuter program has practically eliminated the conception/birth of new kittens and over the
years has reduced significantly the number of cats on the grounds. A stable colony assures few new
cats are introduced from other areas.
This successful program is supported by the District Engineeer who encourages all District elements
to work cooperatively with the volunteers to continue their efforts and to resolve any conflicts.
Volunteering
The District Engineer encourages participation of District employees interested in the program by doing the following:
- Volunteering their time
- Donating to the Corps Cat Fund at the Fort Norfolk Credit Union
- Donating aluminum cans to the recycling effort in the Library
- Donating cat chow or canned food
Points of contact for the FCMP in Norfolk Virginia are:
- Betty G. Waring 757-441-7124
- Lane Killam 757-441-7562
- Elaine Atchison 757-441-7643
- Sherri Jefferies 757-441-7129
- Pam Painter 757-441-7654
- Kellie Taylor 757-441-7537
- Lynda Christensen 757-441-7784
Websites:
- www.alleycat.org
- www.bestfriends.org
- www.feralcat.org
- www.spayusa.org
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