Island Cat Allies in Carteret County Seeks Volunteers to Manage Feral Cat Population

The organization implements a trap-neuter-return program, where feral cats are humanely trapped, taken to veterinarians for medical care and spay or neuter surgery, and then returned to their original locations. Volunteer Mary Boyette, who fosters kittens at her Morehead City home, described the process as manageable. "Cats are pretty independent, so if they’re cats that don’t need anything, that don’t have anything medically wrong with them, as long as you have a kennel or some smaller place, you can quarantine them," Boyette said.

She mentioned that fostering setups can vary depending on individual households, with some fostering cats that roam freely among their pets, while others require isolation.

Boyette highlighted recent rescue efforts, including a kitten saved from the Atlantic Beach Bridge and another from near a hospital. Colin Gillespie, a neighbor and rescue cat owner with experience in animal shelter work, emphasized the importance of community awareness in animal welfare, stating, "I would say just be more aware of animals in general and how you drive and your attitude around them because they’re all God’s creatures."

For those unable to foster, Island Cat Allies welcomes monetary donations, cat food, and cat litter. Boyette also noted that sharing the organization's information on social media aids its mission.

Founded in 2003, Island Cat Allies has extended its reach throughout the Bogue Banks and relies on donations and grant funding for its operations.