131 cats were seen in just 5 days, so the ladies figured it was a
success! But they also realized that there was still a lot of work
to do.
In February 2019, Tomie organized another team, this time
with two vets, two vet nurses, and four assistants. The team
performed 100 surgeries including neutering 3 goats! Another
34 cats were seen for medical checkups. Steph and the team
worked hard to set traps around the island when contacted by
the local people about wild cats. About 45 wild cats were de-
sexed, cutting the population significantly.
All of the services provided by the Aitutaki Community Cat
Program (which is what they now call themselves) are free of
charge. All of the supplies were brought from the USA, or
purchased through Te Are Manu. The team does their own
fundraising in the states to purchase the supplies. Any left over
supplies were donated back to Te Are Manu as well or to Steph
to continue treating minor problems in between vet visits. The
team pays their own way to get to Rarotonga, but the flights
from Rarotonga to Aitutaki are generously donated by Air
Rarotonga, including the more than 265 kg of supplies.
The Aitutaki Community Cat Program provides carry cages to
bring the cats to see the team, free of charge. They also provide
pickups and returns of the cats and traps for catching the semi-
feral and feral cats around homes. When appropriate Steph and
the team provide the community education about the health
benefits of desexing and controlling unwanted kittens, with an
emphasis on caring for domestic animals.
And for Steph Joseph,
compassion, love of
animals and community
are all part of being a PR
Aitutakian! Meitaki
atupaka Steph!
To donate to this the
Aitutaki Community
Cat Program project
A typ;ical surgery day.
please contact either
Steph Joseph at
[email protected]., or Tomie Timon at travelingt2@
gmail.com. Both Steph and Tomie can receive donations by
PayPal.
Generous sponsors and donors to the Aitutaki Community
Cat Program 2018 & 2019:
• Air Rarotonga
• @Araua 88FM
• Tamanu Beach Resort
Aitutaki
• Toa Moana Aitutaki Oe
Vaka Club
• Popoara Car Rentals
• Janet Maki & family
• The Boatshed Restaurant
Aitutaki
• Matriki Beach Huts
• Etu Moana Resort
Bungalows Aitutaki
• @Julie Brooks
• Bishops Lagoon Cruises
Aitutaki
• @Amuri Sands
• Kutekute Istam.
Black Pearl Charters
• Koru Cafe
The current plan is to develop the program
to be able to come twice per year for 2-3
years with a smaller team. Once the feral cat
population is more stable and sustainable,
one trip per year will probably be all that is
needed. On Tomie’s end of the project, she is
looking into the creation of
non profit status in the US
for funding opportunities.
In the meantime though,
Steph Joseph continues to
provide help and support for
the local cats.
The island community has
embraced and supported
the program, and the team
has very much enjoyed
meeting and working with
the community. Aitutakians,
as are all Cook Islanders,
are known for their warm
hospitality, generosity and
fun sense of humour!
Escape Magazine • 79