The Meow Mission works to reduce population of free-roaming cats

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- A local non-profit is working to safely and humanely reduce the population of free-roaming cats in Michiana.

The Meow Mission has safely trapped, cared for, and returned, 15,000 cats over the past 15 years, working to eliminate some of the problems that come with cats who have not been neutered.

Jodi Aker, The Meow Mission President & Founder says, “You know, once they're neutered, that terrible tomcat spray typically goes away, those tomcat behaviors, fighting, yowling, meowing, wandering, those kinds of things really lessen. So, it's good for everyone to have this done. Even if you don't like cats, we're lowering the population, right? The cats are already there. I mean, think of these 23 cats if half of them were female and they were all pregnant or about to be pregnant. I mean this colony of 23 could be 100 by the end of the year.”

Recently 23 cats were rescued from a South Bend neighborhood after the residents received weeklong training, they were able to trap and bring in the cats to neuter them, vaccinate them, and help them recover from any injuries they may have had.

One unspayed female cat can become pregnant at four months old and have three litters per year. Akers tells me the demand is so high that they are currently backed up by around eight weeks, as they continue working to keep these outdoor cats safe and healthy.

There will be a free event happening at M.R. Falcons to help fundraise for the non-profit. For information on the event visit The Meow Mission Facebook page.