The feral cat colonies of Campobello are a little less prolific following efforts from volunteers to sterilize or find homes for close to 100 feline islanders over the past few months. The roundup received significant interest and support, and plans are in the works to continue in the spring.
      Feral cats are a "very big problem" on Campobello, says Sharon Secovich, a new resident of the island with two summers under her belt. Co founder of Spay Maine and the former president of the state's Animal Welfare Advisory Council, Secovich humbly describes herself and her husband as "cat advocates." While she "didn't expect to get involved in Campobello," she soon began hearing about the increasing number of at large cats and knew something needed to be done.
      "They need a food source," Secovich says, adding that while people tend to think they live wild in the woods, that's not an accurate impression. "Feral cats are the descendant of a domesticated cat, or they were a domesticated cat themselves. They live near dumpsters or restaurants in colonies." Cat colonies can form around homes, too. "People love cats, people feed them," Secovich says. But "it gets very expensive. They don't want that many cats."
      Cats can reproduce extremely rapidly, with a single mother producing as many as 5,000 kittens between herself and her offspring in seven years, according to the Spay Neuter Assistance Program. "They just keep reproducing, and that creates a problem," Secovich says.
      "Some people want them euthanized. But the humane way to do it is to get them spayed and neutered," Secovich says. "The colony will die out."
      An anonymous $5,000 donation kick-started the effort, and Secovich made arrangements with a veterinarian in Bangor. Along with each cat being spayed or neutered, they would receive a rabies shot, improving overall health and safety on the island.
      They decided to target the "low hanging fruit" of two large colonies, Secovich says. Cats and kittens were trapped, brought to the Secovichs' basement, and kept overnight before being loaded into various vehicles at 6 a.m. for the trip to Bangor. After the operations, they were brought back, kept overnight in the basement for recovery and then brought back to the colonies.
      "Nobody knew it would be that much work," Secovich says. "But now I know we can do it."
      Assisting in the effort were Kaylean Cook, Kris Tooker, Nancy Sarchfield and colony caretaker Nora Fitzsimmons, as well as husbands and additional volunteers. Traps were lent from PAWS in Calais and Maine Lost Cat Recovery, and others have been donated to the group's efforts.
      Along with the 43 cats and kittens that were spayed and neutered, 15 cats -- including one pregnant mother -- were picked up by the St. George animal shelter to be put up for adoption. In total, 87 cats and kittens have been spayed or neutered, placed up for adoption or placed with a home since September.
      Secovich's goal is to raise enough funds to bring a veterinarian to Campobello or Lubec next year to simplify the logistics involved and improve access for the community. Those wishing to donate money or to be physical volunteers are advised to stay tuned to Facebook until the springtime when the group's efforts will resume.
      "I didn't expect the outpouring," Secovich says. "But we're going to keep going."