Midlands cat rescue organization promotes adoption, protecting colonies

Before visitors can enter Fran Sawyer’s house, they are greeted by a black and white cat. The tuxedo cat’s name is Viola, and she’s been in Sawyer’s house since May 2023. 

Sawyer adopted Viola a few months later from the Cat Around Town Project. Sawyer volunteers as an event coordinator and calendar manager. She also fosters some of the kittens that join the organization. 

“Viola has opinions on the babies,” Sawyer said. “And (Viola) doesn’t understand why I need more babies in the house when I have her in the house. And obviously, she thinks she’s perfect.”

The Cat Around Town Project is a cat rescue organization. The project’s website said it “promotes a cooperative effort to reduce the free roaming cat population” through adoption and trap, neuter and return in Kershaw County and Columbia. Its work is even more important in times like these. 

“Everyone in animal rescue (shelter or otherwise) is at or over capacity currently, so if you’re looking to help, then be that someone,” Sawyer told the Carolina News & Reporter.

The project began as a trap, neuter and return organization. After the cat is trapped, it is taken to Pawmetto Lifeline or Camden Vet – or to a monthly Final Victory Animal Rescue trap, neuter and return van – for neutering or spaying. The cat is returned to the colony after the vet visit. 

“If we can trap, neuter and return again, it’s going to stabilize the population,” Sawyer said. “You’re gonna have less sick cats because they’re not getting into fights. They’re not letting new cats in – you’re not gonna have new babies. You’re gonna stop the cycle.”

Melissa Melendez, a volunteer for the organization, said the trap, neuter and return program fixes the problem of kittens trying to survive on the street. Melendez said that cats “are just asking to survive.”  

Cat Around Town hosts “Caturday” or “Sunday Funday” adoption drives at local pet stores around Columbia and Camden. The project also partners with different Columbia businesses, such as the Hideout at West Columbia and Fit Columbia, to host cat cafes and cat yoga classes. 

“It’s good socialization for (the cats), especially as babies,” Sawyer said. “It’s a great opportunity for people to meet cats if they want to adopt or, if they just enjoy cats, but they can’t have any. It’s a great place to come and just hang out with the cats – and get to spend time with them.”

Kailyn Liscusky, a USC student, adopted a cat after attending one of the cat cafes hosted by the organization. 

“I met the first cat I ever got,” Liscusky said. “His name is Dobby now.”

Lauren Cunningham, a substitute teacher for Lexington One, said she has “a lot of gratitude” for the Cat Around Town Project. Cunningham volunteered with the organization in November 2023. She adopted her kitten Lock from the organization after volunteering at a pet store event in November and learning that two of the five cats from Lock’s litter were not adopted. 

“It wouldn’t have been possible if the organization didn’t exist and didn’t have the efforts to find the cats – or have the cats find them, you know, hashtag cat distribution system,” she said. “They really want to give the cats the best life possible.”