One Cat At A Time: Warren Teen Helps Give Wild Cats A Second Chance

Warren, NJ -- A Watchung Hills Regional High School junior is helping the lives of feral pets, one cat at a time.

Troy Cullen of Warren was recently awarded Teen Volunteer of the Year Award for CAPIC Cats. CAPIC Cats is a 501C3 Charity made up of a group of volunteers who specialize in Trap Neuter Return.

Owner of a cat, Calypso, Cullen began volunteering with CAPIC Cats two years ago.

“I always loved cat and wanted to give something back,” Cullen said. “I wanted to help. I had a hard time knowing that cats like mine have no home, so I wanted to see if there was anything I can do.”

Cullen’s duty when he volunteers is to help cats learn to interact and be comfortable with humans.

“There is a very high population of feral cats without homes in the local neighborhood,” Cullen said. “They are exposed to everything in the wild, lots of dangerous things out there. The main reason I like working there is that many cats brought in have the possibility that they could be sent to kill shelters. Instead I help socialize them to have a better chance to have a home.”

Cullen will spend time with the cats in small room and use toys and treats to grow a sense of trust between the animal and human.

“Different cats have different responses to it,” Cullen said. “Some are very open to it right away and some other cats have been in the wild for longer amounts of time and are not ready for human company.”

Cullen seems to have a knack with cats.

“He is one of these people who's like an ‘animal whisperer’,” stated Cullen’s mom Elizabeth. “Kittens that are afraid of other people respond to him; he is very patient, speaks gently and softly to all the kittens, whether they are just timid or aggressive, and he manages to get them to be comfortable, just by being himself! He slowly gets them to trust him, to play with him, and then to be affectionate with him, and then that trust transfers to other people so the kittens become adoptable.”

For cats that can’t be socialized, Cullen will help CAPIC Cats by building shelters for them to protect them from the harsh weather elements and predators.

Cullen also volunteers with another group, Hands of Hope where he serves as a runner by helping to provide food and supplies to needy and homeless people in Middlesex County.

“While Troy has other career goals, being the nurturing and giving person he is,” Elizabeth said. “I expect that volunteering to help others, and animals and giving back to his community, will always be part of his life.”

To learn more about CAPIC Cats or to donate visit www.capiccats.com.