Agri-Science StudentsTo Care For Displaced Cats

Ledyard High School’s Agri-Science department used the week before spring vacation to prepare for an army of cats scheduled to invade by April 25. The cats’ recent owner was forced to give them up in order to find new housing.

When a local charity working with the woman first contacted Agri-Science teacher Devon O’Keefe, there were 11 cats. Since then, two of the cats have added litters. The total is now 23, and two are still pregnant.

Despite the challenge, O’Keefe said the Agri-Science department is eager to help. “It’s a great community service project for the students,” she said. “When I asked the students if they’d be interested, everyone said yes, without a doubt.”

Although many students will take part in caring for the cats, seniors Lexy Monroe and Karleigh Reeves are taking special responsibility for the project. “Karleigh and I set up cages out there with blankets and toys,” Monroe said.

Once the cats arrive, they will also track their weight, get them used to being handled, and create an adoption application. The two are planning an adoption day to find homes for the cats.

O’Keefe hopes that all the cats will find homes by early June. “We’re going to hope to adopt out the boys and the one female that’s not pregnant as quick as possible,” she said. The mothers and the babies will have to stay longer.

Caring for the cats will also require some help from outside the school. Dr. Amy Crockett from Norwichtown Veterinary Hospital will see the cats before they come to the high school. The cats must have a checkup and receive their vaccines.

“The main thing everyone is concerned with is making sure these cats are healthy,” O’Keefe said. “Only the healthy ones are going to come to our school… to avoid risks for our students.”

All the cats except the mothers and kittens will also be spayed and neutered before they arrive at the school. “We feel we have to have all the cats spayed and neutered before they come here,” O’Keefe said.

The Ledyard Regional FFA Chapter will pay the bill, and make up some of the cost by charging a fee when the cats are adopted. Dr. Crockett also plans to give the school a discount, and the organization bringing the cats to Ledyard will pay for their vaccines.

The school will need some help feeding the cats. “We are going to be looking for donations of kitty litter, cat food and cat toys,” O’Keefe said. Fin and Feather Pets, in Groton, has already donated 17 pounds of cat food, but more is needed.  “That’s not going to be enough for all those cats,” Monroe said.

Another gift came from the CT F.A.M.I.L.Y. Kitchen, run by Groton’s Faith Lutheran Church.

Anyone interested in donating can contact her by email at do’keefe@ledyard.net  “We’ll take whatever we can get,” O’Keefe said. “If we have extra, we can always send some home (with the cats) when they’re adopted.”