"Dumpster Kitties" Highlight Feral Cat Problem in EG

A group of kittens found in a Dumpster in East Greenwich highlight an ongoing feral cat problem in the town -- and across Rhode Island -- said East Greenwich Animal Control Officer Renee Young.

The kittens are part of a feral cat colony living in town and were found in the Dumpster at 2400 New London Turnpike, near state Department of Transportation property.

Young said the kittens were probably not dumped, but likely fell into the Dumpster after climbing up and walking around.

“There is a group of feral cats living in the area and they just fell in,” Young said.

Sworn to serve, Young climbed right in and went to the rescue.

“I was able to go in and grab them.”

The kittens are now being put up for adoption thanks to the folks at the East Greenwich Animal Protection League, but Young said there are likely more kittens and cats in town that are surviving out in the wild.

“It’s neverending,” she said. “I don’t think a lot of people realize what the population really is.”

It all began earlier this month when someone reported a number of adults and kittens in the area.

Young, along with someone from the Ocean State Animal Coalition responded and set traps to catch the adults and round up any kittens.

That was when they discovered the kittens in the Dumpster. About six- to seven-weeks-old, the kittens were too small to jump out and would have suffered a perilous fate if not for the actions of the ACO.

They first set several traps and were able to catch a few. They set more traps and a couple of days later, they had collected a total of six kittens from the same litter.

Usually, people nearby are putting out food, which helps to fuel the feral cat problem. Though Young said she understands why people are inclined to put out food or help the kittens, efforts are made to catch, spay, neuter and vaccinate feral cats in the hopes of keeping a lid on the population.

“People don’t realize a female cat can get pregnant as early as four months old,” Young said.

If you’re interested in adopting one of the Dumpster kittens, call Nancy at 401-464-7971 or email egaplcats@gmail.com