Salem's Advocates for Animals, a subcommittee recently formed under the city's Community Involvement Committee, is working to address the stray cat crisis within the City of Salem, spearheaded by resident Amber Harrison Schwartz and Alderwoman Catherine Dent. Advocates for Animals seeks to provide Trap Neuter Return (TNR) services to the community, with the hopes of curbing cat population growth.
“I think what we figured out was 430 strays per square mile within city limits,” shared Schwartz, on the current cat population within the City of Salem.
When the fireworks committee branched off to join the Chamber of Commerce, Dent saw a chance to redirect community energy toward other pressing needs. With residents like Schwartz and Pamella Russell actively involved in cat and dog rescue, Dent felt like the pieces had fallen into place for an animal focused subcommittee.
"I thought, well, we could form an animal group,” Dent explained. "We had meetings at McDonald’s initially, and we had people attend who were interested. Amber took it on and took it over. I see what they do, and they bounce things off of me—because it’s got to be along the lines of the city, and it’s really working."
Schwartz, who now helps lead the Advocates for Animals subcommittee, has been rescuing cats on her own for around seven years. Her efforts have been substantial with her estimating having helped around 300 cats during that time, currently caring for 22 at her own home. She pays out of pocket to help them get the care they need and ensure they’re spayed or neutered.
"The majority of the ones I take are babies that have been abandoned, that I bottle-feed, or injured or sick cats," Schwartz said. "Most of the ones I get are going straight for treatment as soon as I get them."
Schwartz isn't alone in her efforts. She's part of a network of approximately 10 people in town who rescue cats and pay for their care out of their own pockets, including Pamela Russell of Friends of Salem Animal Shelter. Learn more about Friends of Salem Animal Shelter in next week’s edition.
The Advocates for Animals subcommittee has been working to formalize and expand these individual rescue efforts. It has already established a mission statement and conducted successful fundraisers, including hosting a booth at the most recent Chamber Rodeo and Girls' Night Out at Healthy Dent County. The committee meets on Tuesdays, as needed, with meeting locations rotating to support local businesses. In order to join, interested members must live within city limits.
“We still have a few more steps we need to complete before we can actually start,” shared Schwartz, on the TNR program. “We don’t have a holdover for cats—they have to be held 24-hour before, and 24-hours after. We don’t have anywhere to do that.”
This issue means that Advocates for Animals is currently searching for a holding facility, as well as seeking donations to cover costs. The local Salem Animal Shelter has a cat room, but it’s not quite ready yet—and it can only hold about eight cats at a time.
A crucial partner in the subcommittee’s efforts is Dr. Gabby Moore of Noah's Ark Veterinary Clinic, who specializes in equine care but also handles small dogs and cats. Moore is actively involved in TNR programs in other communities and is attempting to help Salem establish its own program. In addition, she’s donated spay and neuter appointments for the subcommittee’s fundraisers.
"Gabby charges us cost of her supplies and time. That's it. No extra," Schwartz explained, emphasizing Moore’s role in the committee’s formation.
“She has a heart for cats,” said Dent of Moore.
In the future, the subcommittee hopes to raise enough money to set up its own account through both Carol House of Rolla and Moore and plans to alternate between the two.
The subcommittee has set up an account through Cash App for donations and regularly announces its activities on the Salem Neighbor to Neighbor Facebook page. Schwartz is currently working on building a dedicated Facebook page for the subcommittee to announce future fundraisers and activities.
"A lot of people think it's something this town needs, and we're kind of just getting started," Schwartz noted, on the formation of the subcommittee.
How to get involved
The Advocates for Animals subcommittee is actively seeking new members. Those interested in joining must live within city limits and can reach out to either Alderwoman Dent at cdent@salemmo.com or Schwartz. The committee welcomes various forms of help, from attending fundraisers and donating money or supplies to simply reporting injured cats that need assistance.
"The more people we have to help, the better," Schwartz emphasized.
Community members can donate supplies by bringing them directly to committee members or by reaching out through the subcommittee’s posts on the Salem Neighbor to Neighbor Facebook page. The committee is also in the process of establishing and building their own Facebook page, with hopes to launch soon.
The community response has been positive, according to both Dent and Schwartz. Schwartz regularly finds donations of cat food, pet carriers, and other supplies left on her front porch by community members who want to help.
“It's been unbelievable. The community support that I've gotten of just food, money, you know, pet carriers, just random people I don't even know who love animals just bring it to me," Schwartz said.
Dent expressed pride in the committee's work, noting that they may eventually become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the future.
For those interested in learning more or getting involved, Advocates for Animals can be reached through Alderwoman Dent's city email or by following its announcements on Salem Neighbor to Neighbor.
