LEVY COUNTY JOURNAL LEWY THROUGH THE LENS Feral cat neutering program needs money CEDAR KEY-An all-volunteer staff is committed to hu- manely putting a stop to the overpopulation of feral cats on the island of Cedar Key. At this time the group relies completely on the support of Cedar Key citizens, business owners and tourists for fund- ing. Veterinary assistance is provided by River City Commu- nity Animal Hospital, a 501C-3 non-profit organization offer- ing reduced fee mobile spay and neuter service for feral cats. RCCAH (www.rccah.org) will visit Cedar Key monthly and requires a minimum of 35 cats to be neutered per trip. Levy County Huniane Society, a 501C-3 Non-Profit Orga- | nization, provided the group with 20 new feral cat traps ex- pressly for the Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) project and will also be providing much needed assistance each month with the pre-and post-surgery preparations and recovery. Phase One of Operation Cedar Key began in October with the guidance of Cats Angels, Inc SPCA of Fernandina Beach and the veterinary and volunteer group of Operation Catnip in Gainesville. A total of 47 feral cats were trapped from the areas of Dock Street, First Street, corner of First & G and Whiddon/HWY 24. An additional 12 kittens were removed off island for adop- tion. Phase Two was recently completed with the assistance. of Cats Angels and RCCAH. A total of 33 cats were neutered/spayed and 11 kittens tak- © Library Donation OF iG 7 ZI0RH 1 Journal photo by Carolyn Risne RED UNDERHILL of Jacksonville stopped by the Levy County Journal office last week to visit and make a donation to the county’s libraries of the biography, Tex Ritter: America’s Most Beloved Cowboy by Bill O’Neal. Underwood and the au- thor are friends and he was also friends with the late Ritter. Seen = e rs esis — Ee eee —— ee a * Big John's Supply « Plumbing, Well, Irrigation, Watersoliners, Iron Filters, Pool SOpeucs e ec Se ee ce Ce ee 4 She ‘Beat Place” fon Your Ut & F Come on by and Browse Local Artists’ Galery of Equine, Western and kandscape Art rae Consignment Low Rates - Easy Terms Personal & Commercial Auto Insurance Home - Life - Commercial Rapid Tax Returns "Guaranteed Lowest Down Payment" (352) 4486-7007 So ee 151 East Hathaway Ave : Bronson Going to a holiday party? Make sure you have a designated driver. Arrive Alive. ‘December also is the time of en off island for adoption. Areas of capture were scattered throughout Dock Street, First Street, 6th & 7th along G Street, Lions Club building, Gulf Blvd., Paroda, E. Point Road and the cemetery. Cedar Key is well on its way to taking responsibility and educating the public on how to care for feral cat overpopula- tion through humane TNR programs. To date 80 free-roaming cats have been successfully neutered/spayed and 23 kittens were removed to a No Kill Shelter for adoption. , The volunteer group seeks approximately $1,700 per month, estimating 20 females at $50 each and 20 males at $35 each. Check donations should be made out to: River City Com- munity Animal Hospital and write ‘Operation Cedar Key Fe- ral Cats on the check. Drop off at the Faraway Inn on Third and G Street or mail to Faraway Inn, P.O. Box 370, Cedar Key, FL 32625-0370. Phase Three of our TNR program will begin on Wednes- day, Thursday and Friday Jan. 10-12, 2007. Trapping of the feral cats will be done on Wednesday and Thursday, surgeries will be performed on Friday and cats released late Saturday to their original place of capture. If you have questions, would like to volunteer, want infor- mation on how to start your own community TNR program or want to make a donation please contact Doreen Bauer at 352-543-5330. Go paddle your canoe (or kayak) at Manatee Springs December marks the at least some beginning of Manatee experience but the trip is easy Springs State Park winter to moderate and does not paddling program. Every require advanced paddling Friday at 8:30 a.m., the park Skills. : offers a guided canoe/kayak © The paddle departs the trip on the spring run and kayak/canoe ramp at the out into the Suwannee River. spring run at 8:30 a.m. and is limited to the first 10 boats registered on the day of the paddle. The paddling trips will continue through the last Friday in March 2007. The trip is free with a paid park admission if you have your own boat. Those needing a rental. canoe or kayak can make arrangements with Suwannee River Tours at352- 949-0379 no later than 5 p.m. year park visitors can expect to see manatees returning from other areas of the Gulf Coast seeking refuge from the colder waters of the Gulf of Mexico. ‘For park visitors, the milder temperatures of winter offer relief from the humidity and insects often encountered in the summer,” says Sally Lieb, park manager. “The paddling | water of the Suwannee River is often clearer in the winter making it an ideal opportunity on Thursday, the day before the paddle. For more information call, John Lohde, “park services to see:manatees as you paddle specialist at 352-493-6823. the river,” Lieb added. Participants should have Safe driving course set A safe sriving program for seniors will be held on Friday, Dec. 15 in the community room of the Capital City Bank branch near Winn Dixie Plaza in Chiefland. This class is scheduled to start at'9 a.m. There will be a short break for a light lunch (to be provided) and then the class will continue into the afternoon until completed. Certificates of completion will be given that should be sent to the auto insurance company issuing the coverage in order to get the discount as required i in Florida. | This course is normally given over two days but is being offered in one day for this time only. For more information and to register please call 352-493-7597. Seeeseeeegevescecreecee e Complete Veterinary Services = Ted S. Yoho, DVM - Marie Leslie, DVM a Jackie Linkous, MRCVS - Jill Brady, DVM *® Dental Care | Prescription Foed | Grooming = - Vaccinations | Boarding | Early AM Drop-Off “a . Microchip Identifications | Medicine & Surgery “=” ) Skin Disease Treatment | Puppy & Kitten Plan ~ Large Animal Haul-In Available ae 24. HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE AVAILABLE 2. ae : 2s Svar in igi D0 Small Annals 352-463-7100 Large Animals 352-605-8223 * ioe a] «2 Ed 63 N Main Si. Trenton ooo eae “et er Saw Ge ta See See a ev ae ae we sie oe Come in ‘aad see or ask John about all yo OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT Phone: 352-493 -4121 Fax: 352-493- 9100 107 SW 4th Ave. Chiefland, FL. 32644 TM ee TL ps ltd a: og tes Lee THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2006 Job Well Done Journal photo by Carolyn Risnen‘ WILLISTON COUNCIL President Jake Cason, left, congratulations Councilor Jerry Robinson on re-' cently completed continuing education for Gove ernment leaders. | - Morriston resident pens book of inspirational poetry, 7 St Julie Welch of Morriston has published Bird’ s Wardss Welch’s religious and moral beliefs are. her inspiration for: writing this book of poetry, but she also includes many love: poems after being disappointed and let down in love. Some?: times life is funny, sometimes sad and heartbreaking. Some- times we try to get others to see things from our Perepecaye Each poem has a meaning and a story behind it. Welch was born in 1964 in North Central Florida. Atthouet everything seemed normal at her birth, her parents soon real- ized that there were complications. After 14, she was diag- nosed with Turner’s Syndrome, which is a rare chromosome disorder. Short stature, learning disabilities and other medical problems are associated with this disorder. Early on, Welch learned to laugh at herself through life’s ups and downs. She has always enjoyed writing, especially involving topics oo which she feels passionately. : Now open in Se ee across from City Hall Klways Books iia Buy, sell and trade Used and new books 49 N. Main Street 352-528-0369 Great Books at a Great Price. www.gatorworks.com COMPUTING seen Repair . Upgrade Consulting #Programming {Networking Computer Training Classes 4 W. Park Ave Chiefland a ee. — ee ne a ~ ae em