Binary Blonde

This was taken during my second trip doing post-Katrina animal rescue. To see the subject of this photo, focus between the lower center window frame. She was very much alone when we found her and very pregnant. I could tell she was friendly, but wary of strangers. Unfortunately, our traps were full, so we couldn’t bring her back that night. I did take note of where we were and a few days later an animal rescue friend caught her. After that she wasn’t alone anymore.

I posted this photo partially because it was a happy ending and partially to shed light to an ongoing situation in New Orleans right now. To quote from the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary Spring 2007 newsletter:

“Cats who survived the hurricane but were not rescued have given birth to new generations who are now entirely feral. Under houses, behind the debris and forlorn cars, thousands of cats are spread across miles and miles of wasteland – unfixed and breeding. [snip] Cats are very capable creatures, even in these dreadful conditions. And the mathematics of a cat population explosion are mind-boggling.”

Best Friends Animal Society, with the support of the Louisiana SPCA and the Humane Society of the United States, has launched a trap/neuter/return campaign across affected areas of New Orleans. Also involved are Spay/Louisiana (a spay/neuter voucher program for local communities), the Southern Animal Foundation and Animal Rescue New Orleans.

To learn more go to: http://bestfriends.org/nomorehomelesspets/resourcelibrary/feralindex.cfm

Photographed in New Orleans, Louisiana on December 18, 2005.