HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Several local animal groups attended the Mountain Movers and Shakers forum at Sundance Grill on Friday, March 22, to shine a spotlight on the importance of their combined mission in the area. Joan Crothers, a devoted volunteer involved in numerous community organizations, opened the meeting by explaining the aim of Operation PUP, and acronym for Prevent Unwanted Pets. Operation PUP was founded in 1999 as a non-profit program. “The kindest way to end overpopulation is to spay and neuter,” Crothers said, offering information on the project. Operation PUP promotes humane education and good animal stewardship with primary focus on spay and neuter, bringing together local governments, citizens, educators, vetenarians, businesses, and rescue groups as a community coalition to solve the overpopulation of cats and dogs.

In addition, the organization participated in 2012 FEMA-approved animal disaster training to prepare for emergency evacuations, and a gymnasium at Towns County Schools was designated as a shelter should disaster occur. “Each year we have fundraisers. We’ve had rummage sales in the garden club building. We sell flowers for Mother’s Day and then in the fall, we sell mums on the square, and we’ve included this year, well, three years now, a rabies clinic.” Crothers said that the $10 reduced-cost clinic vaccinated 51 animals during the first year, adding a dire need for additional volunteers and donations to advance the project.

Operation PUP Treasurer Sandy Hazen informed that the group recently joined forces with Puppy Patch Thrift Store in Hayesville, NC, to increase funding for pet owners who cannot afford the spay or neuter cost. “From 2010, I have counted through the records, we have spayed or neutered more than 660 cats, and more than 142 dogs,” Hazen said. The treasurer informed that between $3000 to $5000 per year is applied toward the mission. “Towns County Commissioner Bradshaw gives us $750 each year to continue our spaying and neutering tasks.” With the help of PUP volunteer Lucille Heil, Hazel demonstrated a humane, metal trap used to capture feral cats in order to transport them to clinics for steriliztion. Kittens are adopted to loving homes, and unadaptable cats are returned to their colonies once spayed or neutered. Information on Operation PUP is available by dialing 888-496-2387.

Next to speak was Sue Scott, a cat lover who provides food and care for feral felines. For the past 13 years, Scott has been involved in cat rescue, and the Hiawassee resident currently self-funds meals for eight feral cat colonies throughout Towns County. Scott shared that she visits the locales, which currently consist of a total of 26 cats, twice a day. Scott spends over $535 of her own funds each month to provide canned and dry food for the felines. Scott explained that cats are notoriously picky eaters, noting that canned food is more nutritious for the animals, while stressing the goal of keeping the felines happy and healthy. Scott asked for the community’s help in supporting the mighty mission. The cats have acquired a preference for canned Friskies Tasty Treasures bits with gravy pate and dry Kit n’ Kaboodle, Scott said, and donations are greatly welcomed. Drop-off locations include Chatuge Animal Hospital, Hiawassee Animal Hospital, and the Hiawassee library branch. In addition, food can be purchased at Fred’s in Hiawassee. Store management will hold the fare for Scott to pick-up and deliver.

Terry Lynn Marshall offered information on the Whiskers Project which aims to spay and neuter feral cats. Information on the Blairsville-based organization can be found at www.whiskersproject.org Lucky Cat Thrift Store in Blairsville provides financial assistance to the non-profit Whiskers Project. Since 2002, over 2,00 feral and stray cats in Union and surrounding counties have benefitted from the project. Left unchecked, two breeding cats and their offspring can produce 80,399,290 felines if none are spayed or neutered.

Residents interested in kitten rescue and adoption can contact Nancy Ede of Wholly Cats in Blairsville at 706-835-1828.

Carl Haines, a tireless trap-and-release volunteer who donates countless hours to feeding and caring for feral felines in the area, was scheduled to speak. Haines was unabled to attend due to a infection from an unfortunate cat bite injury. Bill Hall of Katz and Dawgs was absent due to transporting dogs for long-distance adoption. Gig Wilkowsky, a volunteer who transports dogs to New Jersey, shared the satisfaction of uniting canines with loving owners.

The animal advocates humbly asked for the community’s help in the form of time or monetary donations to continue their honorable missions.