Please help stop the suffering of the innocent kittens and cats of Elkton, Tennessee.
In one neighborhood in Elkton, Tennessee there are as many as 40 cats living in a colony where disease is spreading. For five years this community of cats has been breeding and spreading deadly illnesses including feline leukemia.
GCHA volunteers are catching these cats and kittens and getting them the veterinary care they so desperately need. Our volunteers are taking care of the transport, feeding, and care for these animals. The cost of medicine, testing, and neutering is very expensive. Without your help we cannot continue our efforts.
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is second only to trauma as the leading cause of death in cats, killing 85% of infected felines within three years of diagnosis. The virus suppresses the immune system and commonly causes anemia or lymphoma, along with other types of cancer, and it can also predispose cats to other deadly infections. (WebMD)
According to Cornell University of Veterinary
Medicine-
"Those who are most susceptible to feline leukemia
are kittens. Kittens can die a slow painful death within 3 months of
age." This is exactly what is happening in this colony. Also,
kittens are much more susceptible to FeLV infection than are adult
cats, and therefore are at the greatest risk of infection. An infected
mother cat can infect her kittens, either before they are born or
while they are nursing. Cat-to-cat transfer of the virus may occur
from a bite wound, mutual grooming, saliva, urine, feces and nasal
mucous secretions. These secretions crust over on their eyes and noses
leaving the cats and kittens unable to see or to breathe. Often times
cats who are visually impaired from the crusting on their eyes wander
into the street and get hit by cars, which sadly has happened to many
of the cats living in the colony. During one of our recent efforts a
kitten died in our hands before we could ever get the medical care it
desperately needed, crying in pain before it's last breath.
The Giles County Humane Association is 100% funded by donations and 100% of every dollar you donate will go directly to this effort. Please help us. We can't do it without your donation. Thank you!
