Stray Cat Population Grows at N. Centre Apartments

Maria Gross received a phone call in April from a volunteer at the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter, telling her that a colony of feral cats were spotted in the apartment complex off N. Centre Avenue in Rockville Centre.

But why would someone from the animal shelter call Gross?

In 2007, Gross founded Courageous Cats, a rescue and adoption organization whose goal is to improve the life of feral cats. The group uses the "TNR" method – trap, neuter and return, Gross explained. She added that tenants in the apartment complex were not allowed to feed the cats, and risked eviction if they did. "I understand that's the policy, so I have to do what I can," she said.

Gross says she uses humane traps to catch the cats, who are then taken to vets to be spayed and neutered. After some time being rehabilitated in foster care, the cats are put up for adoption, she said.

 "The manager of the apartments fully supported us," she said. "In fact, he didn't even realize that there was an issue."

After only catching one in Rockville Centre previously, Gross went back last week to the area and found more cats. "We saw 5 or 6 more in the apartment complex, and we want to get back there soon," she said.

Gross attributes overblown feral cat populations to people not spaying and neutering them. "People get their own cats and they don't fix them," said Gross. "People may not have the resources or the money to do it."

About ten of the cats found in the Rockville Centre apartment complex are up for adoption at Petsmart in Valley Stream, with volunteers stopping by twice a day to care for them. Gross said that they also utilize Petfinder.com to help match up potential owners with cats.

For more information or to volunteer visit CourageousCats.org or call (516) 526-0235.