Feral Cat Success Stories: An Interview with Meow Village

Founded in May 2010 by Ann Fore, Meow Village is a feral cat rescue located in Oregon. 

Driving home one day, Ann noticed cats living in some blackberry bushes out in the countryside. She stopped and saw they were very thin, so she put out some food and water for them. Meow Village was born. Today, there are seven volunteers who manage the day-to-day operations. They manage social media, write grants, and trap, transport, and deliver cats. They are also very lucky to have 25 foster homes! The cats and kittens they rescue are “at risk” strays who are social and just scared. They are taken in by foster moms until they can be adopted. We asked a volunteer at Meow Village to give our readers the inside scoop.

• Can you describe what a typical day at Meow Village looks like?

We respond to phone calls and emails from folks asking assistance with feral or stray cats in their neighborhood; manage our social media; set traps; deliver rescues to our veterinarians for spay/neuter, vaccination, treatment for fleas/parasites, and any medical attention they require; schedule and deliver cats to their new barn home; and schedule/manage foster home placements.

• Where is Meow Village located? Can you describe the cats’ home for us?

Meow Village has no physical shelter, but the original colony is located in Aurora, Oregon. When new cats show up, we trap them, get them spayed/neutered, vaccinated and address any injuries/illness. Currently, about 12 cats reside at Meow Village. Surrounded by blackberry bushes, we have provided waterproof homes for them along with straw to keep them warm in inclement weather. The blackberry bushes protect the cats from predators. They are fed and given fresh water on a daily basis. “Gray Boy,” one of the original kitties still calls the Meow Village colony home.

• You offer a unique barn cat relocation program. How does that work?

We promote our “Barn Livin’ is the Life for Me” Program, which saves cats and provides natural rodent control for owners. “Barn type” homes can be any secure outdoor structure—a horse stable, barn, hay storage shed, winery, greenhouse, and so on. The structure is meant to provide shelter from predators and inclement weather, and a safe place where they can get their daily feeding and water.

We require a minimum of two cats be placed together (from the same colony) so they have a buddy. The cats are contained in a small area within the structure for a period of 3 – 4 weeks so they can become acclimated to their new surrounding and new family. Most structures will contain a kitty door or something similar so the cats can come and go as they please, once released. To date, our program has been very successful!

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• Can you tell us about one of your favorite animals currently looking for a family?

“Rocky” appeared at the Meow Village colony a couple of years ago. Originally, we thought he was feral, but turns out he was just scared. It was clear he had lived a couple of rough years on his own. Once we trapped him and got him to the vet, we had him tested for FeLV and FIV – which we do for all non-feral cats we rescue. Rocky tested positive for FIV, but recent studies indicate FIV+ cats and non-FIV+ cats can safely live together—it is difficult to pass the virus between cats. Sadly, some folks are still leery of adopting an FIV+ cat even though they can live long, healthy, happy lives! Rocky is such a sweetheart who simply wants someone to love him. 

• What’s one of your favorite adoption success stories?

Last month, “Mystery” was found walking down the middle of a country road. A Good Samaritan called us and we picked her up. We found out that she was blind. We tried to find her owner, but no one stepped forward to claim her. At her veterinary exam, the doctor recommended removal of both eyes to lessen her chances of cancer at a later date. Mystery’s blindness did not slow her down a bit! We had never seen a cat acclimate so well to new surroundings--especially being blind!

A lady from Idaho read about Mystery’s story, saw her photo, and fell in love. Mystery is now enjoying life in Idaho with another blind kitty. A very happy ending!

• What advice would you give someone who wants to help the feral cats in their neighbourhood?

It’s always better for the cats if they can remain in the area in which they are familiar—especially if they have existing shelter from inclement weather AND someone is committed to providing daily food and water for them. Another critical task is to get them spayed/neutered! There are many programs that provided low cost—and sometimes FREE—spay and neuter options. It’s great when the neighborhood can come together for the cats and take turns feeding/caring for the cats.

If that can’t happen, we recommend relocating the cats in pairs to a “barn type” home as outlined in our Barn Livin Program. We’re always happy to help someone through the process. It’s all about giving feral cats and kittens a chance for a happy, healthy life!

A huge shoutout to the awesome volunteers at Meow Village! Thank you for sharing your wonderful story with our readers!

Connect with Meow Village on their social media below, and check out their website here!

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