Feral cat program controls cat population

By Rob Vogt
The Claresholm Animal Rescue Society has a program intended to control the feral cat population in town.
The society started their feral cat spay and neuter program about 15 years when Claresholm had a lot of feral cats.
A feral cat is an unowned domestic cat that lives freely outdoors and avoids human contact. It does not allow itself to be handled or touched, and usually remains hidden from humans.
The Claresholm Animal Rescue Society spayed and neutered approximately 200 cats the first two years of the program.
There was a pause of about five years, but the society had to start the program up again, as there was starting to be a lot of stray cats again.
Consequently, CAReS has been trapping and releasing cats for the last three years.
The society catches, spays and neuters the cats. They are then put back where they were trapped.
It was noted there are quite a few colonies of feral cats in Claresholm, and lots of feral cats will have kittens under decks and sheds.
The program runs from June to the end of September weather permitted.
Anyone can call the shelter at 403-625-625-5370, if feral cats show up at their place.
Volunteers will try to catch feral cats. They will try to tame kittens at the shelter if they are not too old, and then they can be adopted. If the mother cat is tame, the shelter will try to adopt her out once spayed.
Overall, the shelter remains a busy place.
In 2023, they had 205 new cats; 49 surrendered; four returned; and 184 adopted out.
There were also 46 new dogs; four surrendered; 18 returned to their owner; and 30 adopted out.
In 2024, the shelter had 106 new cats; 21 surrendered; two returned to owner; and 124 adopted out.
There were also 57 new dogs; four surrendered; seven returned to owners; and 11 adopted out.
In 2025, they had 152 new cats; 40 surrendered; three returned to owner; and 179 adopted out.
They also had 35 new dogs; 12 surrendered; 18 returned to their owner; and 32 adopted out.