Barbara Matheny is an advocate for feral cats. Her main objective is to make sure they are fed, spayed and neutered. In fact, she's made it her mission to find the colonies in Mount Pleasant, have each feline spayed or neutered and provide food to animal lovers across the town who tend to these feral colonies.

As part of Feral Cat Month, Matheny is hosting a food drive. Through her non-profit organization, TNR, trap neuter, return, she is dedicated to aiding those less fortunate homeless cats. She said there are over 100 cats in several colonies in Mount Pleasant that are in desperate need of food.

'For just nine cents a day, $32 a year you can feed a cat,' she said. 'Donations can be made on line at  www.pethelpers.org, or by mail to Pet Helpers 1430 Folly Rd., Charleston, SC 29412. Food may be dropped off at Indigo Pet Food.  

All donations must be designated for Patsy's Mount Pleasant colonies in order for the Mount Pleasant cats to get them,' she said.

'We are trying to establish a food bank for the many feral cats in Mount Pleasant.'

She added that monetary donations will be accepted as well.

Matheny said that these cat colonies are being cared for by various individuals at their own expense. Some may argue that these cats are a nuisance and they eat the birds, but Matheny argues that the feral cats are nocturnal and stay away from humans so they come out at night when the birds are not out. She said they eat mice and other rodents keeping that population down. 'Most people don't even know the colonies exists,' she said.

Matheny got involved with the organization after she saw an article in the paper about some cats that were being fed.

She said one man was trying in vain to care for these cats but nearby neighbors who didn't like them, were poisoning the animals.

She saw that he needed help and became involved with TNR.

'There are always going to be people who don't like cats but we're keeping them from breeding. It is irresponsible pet owners that let their animals go. That's where it all started,' she said.

And these cats don't live very long, she explained because of the stresses of living outside and trying to survive. One colony has been fed for the last ten years by a local resident. Today there is only one cat left in the colony.

For more information or to donate to TNR, visit, http://feralcatsofmtpleasant.com or call Barbara Matheny at 881-2099.