This Saline farm had no "barn cats" and so the owner adopted a couple of needy kittens this summer to occupy it. Shortly after, Missy showed up and joined the kittens every meal. The farmer contacted us to get Missy spayed but made their own arrangements to neuter the kittens they adopted. We received the following note from the farmer: "Here is a photo of Missy. Sorry it took so long. We love her very much!"

From their caregiver:
"Well, everything went smoothly. I was a little nervous about trapping. We didn't feed them that evening and by 8:30. they were pretty hungry. We set the traps, placed a small bowl of oatmeal (with milk) in the traps and in 2 minutes we had two. I had them at the Bridgewater vet at 9:00 the next morning. I felt sorry for them as I know they have never been anywhere but our property in their lives. I picked them up at 4:30 that afternoon. Once home, we slipped them out of the traps and placed them together in a kennel on a clean towel. Next morning at 7:00, I opened the door and they walked out (still a little groggy), but ate and rested the entire day. They want to thank you for improving their lives. Thanks!!"

This north Ann Arbor colony was growing a a rapid rate. Three kittens were born in early Spring. Five more followed in mid-summer. The elderly homeowner was able to find homes for a few of them, but the rest joined her backyard colony. With the help of some friends, all were trapped and fixed by early winter -- but not before a third litter of kittens came along.

This is a colony of 20-some cats living in a mixed residential / commercial area of Ypsilanti. As of December, 2003, 23 had been sterilized -- with another 4-6 yet to be trappd. Since the sterilizd cats have been ear-tipped, their caretaker can readily identify those that have not yet been sterilized.