About Our Name

Gypsy is a beautiful Maine Coon who was trapped and tamed by our own Janet Thompson. He was a feral cat living on the Tallahassee Community College campus, where Janet fed him and other ferals. Now he is an important member of her household, and vies for her attention. He is the perfect poster cat and representative of feral cats: a wonderful, beautiful cat who just needed a chance at life.

What We Do

To help save the lives of feral cats (the wild offspring of abandoned or stray cats) in Leon County, we are humanely trapping cats, and having them altered (neutered or spayed), vaccinated, and micro-chipped. When they are ready to return to their colony, we make sure that there is a caretaker to feed them. A caretaker is a loving individual committed to feeding and watching over a colony of feral cats. This is called a TVARM (trap, vaccinate, alter, release, and maintain) program. In some cases, we will also work to tame kittens and adult cats.

We are also involved in rescuing feral cats taken to shelters to be euthanized (given a lethal injection). We make sure these cats get the same veterinary attention as other feral cats we trap, and then add them to a colony already under the care of a caretaker (with the caretaker’s permission, of course).

Friends of Gypsy is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization and has a five-member Board of Directors: Debra Benjamin, Elisabeth Draper, Rachel J. K. Grace, Dr. Janet Thompson, and Rose Westervelt.

Why We Do It

TVARM programs have been established all over the world as a humane response to cat overpopulation. However, many cities, counties, and states respond to feral cat colonies with euthanasia. In Leon County, feral cats may be euthanized immediately upon delivery to the Animal Service Center. We believe this response is unethical and inhumane. Feral cat colonies are the direct result of irresponsible cat owners, and it is our duty to do what we can to help save these cats.

Contact Information:

Dr. Janet A. Thompson
janet@friendsofgypsy.org

Address: Friends of Gypsy PO Box 37422 Tallahassee, FL 32315-7422

Telephone: (850) 926-1002 

FAQ

What are feral cats?

Feral cats are the wild offspring of stray and abandoned cats. Feral cats may also be stray or abandoned cats who have reverted to a wild state.

Why are there feral cats?

Feral cats are the direct result of irresponsible cat owners. Many people do not alter their cats, and allow them to roam outside and mate freely. Other people cruelly abandon their cats, while sometimes cats simply run away or get lost. According to the Humane Society of the United States, one female cat and her offspring can theoretically produce 420,000 cats over a seven year span.

Are feral cats a nuisance?

According to the Leon County Animal Ordinances, feral cats are considered a public nuisance. However, most people do not come into contact with feral cats because feral cats are nocturnal and afraid of people. Some people complain about the mating behavior of feral cats, but this is not an issue when the cats have been altered. Other people complain about the effects cats have upon wildlife. Studies that have stated cats are a significant threat to wildlife are unscientific and exaggerating the truth. In fact, the main threat to wildlife is human activity.

Are feral cats dangerous?

Feral cats are afraid of humans and are not likely to attack a person without provocation. A feral cat (like any animal or human) will react to a threat. Feral cats can sometimes carry rabies, as can other wild animals. However, TVARM programs involve vaccinating, thereby reducing the risk of rabies and other diseases.

Won’t we just be overrun with cats?

The current problem is that there is already an overpopulation of cats. A broad and aggressive TVARM program (as well as a spay/neuter campaign) would prevent many feral kittens from being born. TVARM programs in other places have shown that feral cat populations stabilize and decrease over time. While TVARM is a long-term solution, it is the only effective (and humane) way to deal with feral cats.