A baby shower for cats?

Like a traditional baby shower, event coordinators have asked that you bring one of the following items: PetAg KMR powdered kitten formula (no Hartz); kitten bottles; extra nipples; baby blankets; rice packs; old fashioned heating pads; and Petco or Tractor Supply gift cards.

On the day of the event only, the shelter is offering an “adopt one cat or kitten for cash donation or canned pate style cat food and get a second cat or kitten free” promotion.

Fun activities also include a “name the kitten” contest for kids.

According to BCAS director Erica Thompson, the shelter is currently over capacity with 39 cats and 110 dogs. That’s not including the 205 cats and 77 dogs in foster.

“Cats make great pets for families,” Thompson said. “They are low maintenance. They have different personalities. You can find one to cuddle with or one that doesn’t need much attention. They are very easy to take care of and affordable.”

Bastrop CATS

Bastrop CAT founders and directors Eileen Haag and TerrieLynn Bach trap community and feral cats – some wild and some tame - get them spay, neutered, vaccination, give them flea preventative, checked out by a vet and return them as part of a trap, neuter, return (TNR) program.

According to Bach, it takes about three to five years to get the TNR program fully implemented to see a huge difference.

“Eighty percent of the kittens that show up in the shelter are from these stay cats and when we are able to get enough fixed, we will make a dent in the population of kittens showing up in the shelter without homes,” she said.

Bastrop CATS is a nonprofit that has been operating in the Bastrop community for over a year.

“I feel like I am making a big difference in the lives of cats, giving them a better quality of live,” Bach said. “Two years ago, a feral cat brought to the shelter would have been a death sentence for that cat.”

Thanks to the help of shelter staff and volunteers, Bastrop CATS now have a feral enclosure at the shelter where the cats are kept until they can be relocated.

During that time, weekly vet appointments at the Bastrop Veterinary Hospital are made to spay and neuter the stray cats at a reduced cost that is paid for by donations.

When healthy and ready to return to its more familiar environment, the cats are either brought to Austin Pets Alive or adopted out in Bastrop County as a barn cat.

“Since they have a wild nature, they are really good at living on the land and mice are a problem here,” Bach said about the barn cat program. “Put water out and dry food out and give them shelter in the winter time and they will work for you. It’s all natural rodent control.”

If interested in donating or volunteering for Bastrop CATS, email bastropcats13@gmail.com.