The Cat Rescuer of the Day
The Cat Rescuers is an upcoming documentary about four dedicated volunteers who are saving the lives of hundreds of abandoned and feral cats on the streets of Brooklyn.
Our film calls attention to a global issue being addressed by thousands of organizers and heroic human beings – those who do TNR, volunteer at shelters, take on fosters, what have you. Since we could only put a fraction of those wonderful people in our film, we’ve created the Cat Rescuer of the Day program to celebrate the efforts of as many as possible.
Meet Today’s Rescuer: Kiley Rae Swonke of Houston, TX!
Affiliated with Alley Cat Allies, SNAP Houston Clinic
Rescue Efforts:
I’ve been rescuing stray cats since college. I started practicing TNR for feral kitties in my neighborhood in 2013. A good cat rescuer will tell you there is a huge difference between strays and ferals! I could write a thesis paper on it…j/k. Not really.
One Rescue I’ll Never Forget Was…
The one rescue kitty I will never forget and still see every day has to be Professor Snape. A female torty that was probably the meanest feral I ever trapped. I didn’t see her for months after she was released. I kept putting food and fresh water out every day in the same place I trapped her though. When she finally returned it felt like I won the lottery. Now I see her every morning and she is significantly calmer. She doesn’t even run a
way when I’m come outside. I know I will never be able to pet the Professor but I’m grateful she has lived this long and so grateful she returned. TNR really does work!
One Thing I wish People Understood about Cats or Cat Rescuing Is…
I wish the average non-cat lover took the time to understand the science behind TNR for feral cats. It really does help prevent more litters much more than killing the cats.
When I’m Not Rescuing Cats, I Like to…
First and foremost I’m the proud mother of a 2 year old who has inherited my love of helping the feral cat community in our neighborhood. I am also an artist and founder of H-TOWN TABLE, a local non-profit organization that brings together at-risk youth and Houston’s renown restaurant industry to teach graduating high school students transferable industry skills without the cost of culinary school or business school.
I’m Looking Forward to The Cat Rescuers Film Because…
Hopefully it will encourage others to participate in TNR, fostering or any sort of cat rescue in their own specific communities.
Go follow Kiley Rae Swonke on Instagram (@htown_table). And be sure to follow @CatRescuersFilm on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!