Do Something ASAP for Felines

By Toko Ueta

Even in Santa Barbara, a heaven on earth, there are quite a few people standing in the streets with cardboard saying “Help.” But if you were a homeless ANIMAL here, it might be less difficult, for several volunteer organizations have been saving our friends on all fours. Animal Shelter Assistant Program (ASAP) is one of them. ASAP takes care of stray cats that are brought to the Santa Barbara County Animal Shelter, by providing food and medical attention, cleaning the cages, and finding new homes for them. Ms. Susan Hamilton is one of the lead volunteers and the vice president of ASAP, with a tender voice which a kitty likes.

First of all, who took care of cats before ASAP was established? What was that like?
The animal service people of the county took care of strays before ASAP, but because of the large number, they had to put cats to sleep in order to make space for incoming ones after a certain period of time. And some women who didn’t believe in euthanasia requested the county let them maintain cats until they could be adopted.

How did you start as a volunteer?
Well, I’ve always loved cats, I’ve always had cats– I just gradually became involved in this. About 15 years ago, my daughter wanted to join a foster program for young kittens of ASAP. As a result, I started coming here and volunteering- and I like the way they provide good care to felines- including their careful placements when an adoption takes place. It wasn’t like “Gee, I have to save those cats!”

What’s wrong with being a stray cat? Stray cats in my country seem content.
First, there are two kinds of stray cats. One population is feral; there’s not much ASAP can do to them. The other one is… we don’t know exactly where they come from, but they are considered abandoned or lost. They used to live at home, and are used to being taken care of, so their instinct hasn’t developed enough to stay out of trouble. They need protection; there’s great risk outside for them, like cars, coyotes and diseases. I heard a feral cat lives only about 3 years due to those dangers, while an indoor one outlasts 18-20 years. And previously-cared felines tend to seek human companionship.

OK, but why cats? What about homeless kids? There are many who need help in the world.
Yes, there’s a lot of suffering and pain in the world; I don’t have a very good answer. However, many people helping animals try to help people as well, and I support children and charities for them- but it’s difficult to care for them directly. And most humans can make choices- for good or bad, while animals can’t. That’s why I feel that my time is worth helping them. Kids can’t make choice either, but I have never felt “a cat is just a cat.”

What kind of people adopt cats the most?
I don’t think there’s any stereotype of adopters- we have families in which kids want pets or in which parents want to teach their children how to be gentle to a small animal. We also have people who have grown up with cats and just have to have them, and senior citizens who need companionship- so all ages and ranges of people adopt cats.

What is the benefit to have cats?
Animals are great for reducing stress; I think that’s why most people have animals. It’s been shown to be a health benefit to have animals to which you can show affection and from which you can get attention—and you know, cats are easy to take care of, furry and soft- they are good stress reducers.

Our major readers, international students can’t adopt cats, don’t have much money, and don’t speak English very well. What can they do for cats if they want to help?
Well, you can donate old towels or small blankets which we use for cages, when you leave the US. You also can help cats as a volunteer, as long as you can be trained and come here a certain amount of time a week. There are a lot of things to be done- we always need hands! And we have had international student as volunteers, so of course it’s no problem if your English isn’t so good!

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