July 18, 2025 • 19 mins
Maria chats with Traps To Laps Director Chiquita Taylor about this program which breaks the cycle of homeless cats and kittens. TTL has a network of rescue groups, fosters, and volunteers who help get feral cats off the streets--especially kittens before they become feral--and then gets them ready for their forever home through fostering and socialization.
It's a new and unique program that could work in any town or city and Chiquita is happy to discuss how it can be done at outreach@fixurpet.com.
And of course Traps To Laps operates under S.A.V.E. Rescue Coalition which is a non-profit and survives on donations.
If you can help: saverescue.org
Click DONATE and write TRAPS TO LAPS.
It's a new and unique program that could work in any town or city and Chiquita is happy to discuss how it can be done at outreach@fixurpet.com.
And of course Traps To Laps operates under S.A.V.E. Rescue Coalition which is a non-profit and survives on donations.
If you can help: saverescue.org
Click DONATE and write TRAPS TO LAPS.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
It's Maria's MutS and Stuff. What a great idea on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
Welcome to Maria's Mutts and Stuff and with me today
is the director of the Traps two Lapse program, Chakda Tailors,
So Shakida, I know you're very busy, and I appreciate
that you made some time to talk about Traps two laps.
Speaker 1 (00:24):
Well, thank you very much for asking me. Then come
on board here.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Absolutely, so tell me what is For those who have
no idea, what is traps to lapse?
Speaker 1 (00:34):
Tramp sillapse is a little bit of a unique idea.
Everyone is aware of rescue groups that get kittens and
pats and get them healthy and adoptable, and then they
work to get these animals adopted. Traps s lapse came
about because we have a T and R team which
(00:56):
is Trapped New Tering Return, and trappers were going out
and finding kittens and not knowing what to do with
them because they were way too young to go to
rescue groups for adoption. So we kind of thought about
it for a little while, and they were coming to
us in really bad health and just in bad condition.
(01:19):
So I thought, well, what if we could figure out
a way to bring in these little ones and have
them fostered and have the medical attention given to them
that they need to get them healthy enough to go
through the surgeries spanouter surgeries at three months, and then
(01:40):
hand them over to the rescue groups. They get to
be friendly, socialized fixed cats then get adopted. So kind
of kick the plane into gear. And we had a
large trapping and yep, we sure that's the kittens and
all of that, and we just got a team of
(02:01):
people to start fostering. And we do field techs that
go to the foster's homes every two weeks to check
on the kittens, to vaccinate, to do whatever they feel
is necessary. Come more often if it's necessary. And last
year I think that we turned over one hundred and
(02:22):
forty seven kittens.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
Yeah, And I'm thrilled because we really were kind of
making our way through this on our own, trying to
figure out how to do this and best way to
do this. This year, now at the end of June
or end of July, we're looking at one hundred and
seventy five that we've already sent through two adoption partners.
Speaker 3 (02:46):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
And with a ninety five adoption rate.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
Wow, that's amazing.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
So basically because I know with T and R it's
usually with kats, not kittens.
Speaker 3 (02:57):
So this is act I guess right, because they were
already feral.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
This is almost like uh, preventing the problem before it begins,
Is that right?
Speaker 1 (03:07):
This is exactly right. This is a shelter diversion program
because normally, if people finding kittens, they'll take them to
the shelters, and the shelters are already over welm sure,
and the outcome is not always desirable. So this way
we are kittens and our mama cafts never see a shelter.
We either return them to the owner, if they remain feral,
(03:31):
we return them to the fields, or we get them adopted.
Speaker 3 (03:34):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
Yeah, I've been thrilled with this.
Speaker 3 (03:38):
Yeah for sure.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
I mean and I would think, uh that what you're
doing because you're you're in the you're in the Texas area.
Speaker 3 (03:45):
Is that correct? You're in Texas.
Speaker 1 (03:48):
Yes, we function in the Galveston County area, which is
south of Houston. Okay, and yeah, we have a lot
of them. The predicament that we're in. I think you're
in New.
Speaker 3 (03:59):
York Yeah, yes, I'm in New York City. Yes.
Speaker 1 (04:02):
The predicament that we have is our weather here is
warm year round. Okay, so they supply year round, not
like up north, right, right, right, we don't have a downtime.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
Sure, it's you know.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
Our kitten season just means it's normal on steroids.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
That's true because usually here it's like springtime, it's kitten season.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
Right, But yeah, exactly exactly. So now we're in kitten season.
And I think right now, like I said, we have
one hundred and seventy something that we've already pushed through
to the adoption partners, and I have sixty five still
in the program currently, and I just brought in seven
(04:45):
four day old kittens with their mama.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Oh my goodness, wow wow wow. So it never ends.
So do you right, but in a good way. But
do you have I assume that you have particular rescues
shelters that you work with consistently.
Speaker 3 (05:01):
Is that correct?
Speaker 1 (05:02):
What we do is we call them our rescue partners.
They are not shelters. They're actually nonprofit groups, and they
they take care of Like when you go into a
pet supply place, you'll see condos in there with the
kittens in them or cats in them. At least they
do here, yes, but they you know, they monitor and
(05:25):
maintain there. So instead of just getting their kittens from
general public or you know, maybe going to a shelter
or something, they're taking their kittens from us. They get
a lot of kittens from us. That way, it evens
the responsibility and the burden on them because they're a
lot ander having to do all of the medical and everything.
(05:47):
They get like I said, the chubby, cute, little little kitten, right,
you know, and they put them in their condos and
they are going. So yeah, it's really it's been really
did so. The structure itself is that we have fosters,
and we also have taken up the idea of like
(06:10):
when a finder says, hey, I found you know, mama
with five kittens and stuff. Can you help us? My
first question to them is can you foster?
Speaker 2 (06:18):
Right?
Speaker 1 (06:19):
Sure? Be the foster in place. Do you do that?
We will furnish you food, litter, we will do all
the medical with our field text coming to your home
checking on the kittens, and then we will take them
from you on this date because that's the date that
they're going to go into surgery, and then you your
fostering stops. So it benefits them because they have a start,
(06:43):
they have a date, and it's not a never ending
fostering situation. God, it's given.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
That really that brings them in much easier than you know,
they're all afraid they're going to end up fostering for
a year. Sure, that's not so, depending on how old
the kittens are when we get them. If they're four
days old, then it could be up to twelve weeks
that they're fostering. If they're four weeks old, then it's
you know, it's eight weeks that they're fostering, right, so depends.
(07:14):
Some come in at ten weeks, We keep them for
two weeks, get everything done, out they go and they're
off to an adoption partner. And that's the third aspect
is you know, our foster's foster in place, and then
our own fosters are field texts that are medically going
out there and checking on the kittens. And then we
(07:36):
have I've got agreements with several of the adoption groups
that I constantly, I constantly am in touch with them saying, hey,
I've got this letter that just came in today. They're
going to be ready in October because and then can
you schedule us, you know, six spots spots in October
(07:57):
to take these kittens in. They'll tell me or not.
They say, yes, good kicks.
Speaker 3 (08:02):
Wow, We're done.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
I mean, it sounds like it. It's it sounds like
it's so simple that it's almost like mind boggling.
Speaker 3 (08:10):
Why this hasn't been done before? Does that make sense?
Speaker 2 (08:14):
Like I feel like I mean, of course, I feel
like you are traps to lapse. Is definitely like a
model for other communities and states around the country, which
is a lot, But it feels like it's such a
simple idea.
Speaker 3 (08:25):
But I think like you are the first to do it.
Am I correct on that?
Speaker 1 (08:28):
Yeah, as far as we know. Yes, And that's one
of my big things is I really wish and I
really hope others will contact me. I have the basic
foundation set up, honestly, so I would hand it over
in a heartbeat to help them start it. It works.
(08:49):
You know, it's not easy, but it works. I mean,
you know, it's a lot of works. It's a lot
of you know, working with a lot of different people,
fosters and medical texts and you know, the adoption groups,
but everybody and the rescue committed community seems to be
so passionate, you know, making these getting these kittens healthy
(09:12):
and out to adoption, to for homes. So it seems
to just flow on that that passion and that love
right that this community has.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
Right yeah, which yeah, which is probably like a common
it's a common trait or characteristic or emotion that anyone
who's in animal rescue has that you know, to save
the lives of dogs and cats.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
So it was Yeah.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
So I mean that to me is is is almost
like a win win for anyone else to actually try
to do what you're doing, you know, follow what follow
your lead, because it does make so much sense.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
Yeah, you know, it's wonderful to be able to say,
because I mean we find them in some horrendous places.
You know, you know, there might be one or two
survivors out of a litter after a dog has attacked them,
or we find them under tires, or we buy them
under you know, open refrigerators, and you know, I mean
there's just no telling where they're going to come from.
(10:13):
And that's why we do consider them high risk when
they come into our program. But you know, we get
them through that and then by the time they're through
and they had their surgery. They're great little kiddis sure.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
Yeah, and they're all ready for their new home, for
their forever home.
Speaker 1 (10:32):
Yeah, they are perfectly ready for their forever home. And
you know, at a big key on this is, yes,
we can do all the medical and get them nice
and chubby and everything, but the socialization, and that is
something you know when we when we interview our fosters,
is that I put a lot of heavy responsibility on
(10:54):
socializing because we've had people that understand socialization as feeding them,
letting them run around the room to have a good time,
and they're playful and everything, but you can't pick.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
Them up right right, right, yeah, of course, because it's
almost like breaking the cycle of it being a feral cat.
Speaker 1 (11:14):
Yes, that's exactly.
Speaker 3 (11:15):
Yeah, No, that makes sense. Do you have a yeah?
Speaker 2 (11:18):
Is your team like, do you have a large amount
of people working with you?
Speaker 1 (11:22):
You know, it's kind of grown. I mean, like I said,
last year, we started with five or six of us,
and you know, we just kind of did it. And
then this year I've had more and more people calling
me about kittens and then they'll foster in place. Wow,
and then they joined the team. Right, So I'm a
(11:42):
list of probably thirty to thirty four fosters, and right
now I think actively I have like eighteen or nineteen litters.
Speaker 3 (11:52):
Wow. Okay, so there.
Speaker 1 (11:54):
Are eighteen or nineteen fosters that are actively fostering it today.
Speaker 3 (11:59):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (12:00):
Yeah. But they all know when they're going, you know,
their time for fosterings off. So and then we always
keep a couple of extras because if somebody's fostering and
they're gonna go on vacation for a week, then we
have our kidvy sitters, so they'll take them for a
week and then when the foster comes back, we give
them back to them.
Speaker 3 (12:20):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
Yeah, there's no no, you can't do this or we
can't foster because we're going to be gone for a week.
We have a solution for that.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
That's wonderful. No, that's really it's excellent. I mean it
just it sounds like it's so perfect. I mean, you
haven't figured out. That's what I think is really cool
about it.
Speaker 1 (12:38):
And that's what I'm hoping other people will see that.
We don't know if we have it completely figured out,
but we're we're getting it. We're definitely getting to get there.
And you know, the numbers are proving that this can
be done, sure, and turning over. I anticipate by the
end of the year we'll have well over three hundred,
three hundred and fifty kittens that.
Speaker 3 (12:59):
We've turned over for amazing.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
Would you know a lot of them wouldn't just not
have made it?
Speaker 2 (13:04):
Sure, No, you're absolutely right, or they would wind up
just being growing into cats who are part of the
federal community.
Speaker 1 (13:10):
Exactly and reproducing, and you know, the cycle goes on
and on the corner of course, you know the fact
that these are all ready to go, they're loving their
social they're healthy, and they're sterilized. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
No, that's a wonderful You're breaking the cycle, which is
pretty amazing. You know, it's making a huge difference because
you really are. You're breaking the cycle.
Speaker 1 (13:30):
Yeah, that was you know, uh, it's just that trap
and neuter you know, the Spain neuter clinic that we
work with. I mean, that was the foundation of this.
We've got because of our weather here in huge shure.
I think to last I heard somebody was thinking that
we had like over a million feral cats.
Speaker 3 (13:49):
Right, wow, yeah, I believe it.
Speaker 2 (13:52):
I mean, you're right, because it's not like, oh, it's freezing,
so you know, you don't have the same weather that
you have like in the northeast or the northwest.
Speaker 3 (14:00):
You're you're always warm. So let me ask you this.
Speaker 2 (14:03):
You survive and you can you do this through donations?
Speaker 3 (14:07):
Is that correct?
Speaker 1 (14:08):
That is strictly what we have is that we get
no financial assistance from any organization or you know, county
or state or anything like that. No governmental is okay?
Speaker 2 (14:21):
So tell me, Yeah, so tell me if someone who's
listening right now wants to help out with a donation,
where can they help out than.
Speaker 1 (14:30):
You go to our Our our umbrella organization is Save
Rescue Coalition. So if they go to Save Rescue dot
org and just hit the donate button and then in
the memo you just say traps to lax and then
we get that and that helps us pay for the foods.
(14:51):
Do you know how much food sixty kittens?
Speaker 2 (14:56):
A lot, a lot, But you know it's help to
pay for our food, our medication.
Speaker 1 (15:03):
And of course of our medical experiences expenses because if
our medical situation gets beyond our capabilities, we then have
to go to the vet.
Speaker 3 (15:13):
Well that's what I was going to ask you. Yeah,
if you had vets like on.
Speaker 2 (15:16):
I guess you have vets that you know and trust
that are kind of not on call, but that will
help you out.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
Yes, what we do is, you know, we call and say, okay,
we've got an issue with this one, and yes it
is an emergency, and they'll do their best to get
us in right, you know, or I say, you know,
we've got this one and he's you know, his gait
is just a little off. That looks kind of strange, right,
can you take them? Then they'll do the x rays
(15:43):
and everything, and of course we have to pay for
all of that, but at least we have somebody that
we can go to when we feel like we've exhausted
all of our resources and knowledge, then we go, we
see them, you know, go with a vet. And that's
that's our process.
Speaker 2 (15:59):
Wow, it's fascinating and it's amazing, and it's excellent because
you're really you know, you're making a big difference, and
you know, it's that old. It takes a village, and
you know, I feel like you have it figured out,
and I know you're like, well, you know it's not perfect, yeah,
but it's a lot better than what.
Speaker 3 (16:16):
Other communities are doing.
Speaker 2 (16:17):
Because other communities aren't doing this at all, So I
really you know, you are the model, and I hope
that you know, there are others who are listening to
this right now and they're like, oh, that's.
Speaker 3 (16:27):
A great idea, we should try that.
Speaker 2 (16:29):
I know there are people who are listening who would
love to help, and they can help out by going
to save Rescue dot org and hit donation for Trap
two laps if they wanted to be in touch with you,
what's is there a best way without you know, giving
out your phone number that they can get in touch
with you to follow your model.
Speaker 1 (16:48):
Yes, please feel free to email me at outreach oh
u t r each at six fi x your you
are pet pet dot com and that will come directly
to me.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
Oh that's great, so outreach at fix your Pet yourepet
dot com. That's wonderful. That's wonderful. Well this is yeah, No,
I would love that. That would be so cool, you know,
putting people together, that's what the whole purpose is, right
to get to get all of these animals adopted into
forever homes. So, Chikida, this has been you know, I'm
(17:25):
fascinated by it and like in awe of you because
I think it's really amazing that you've done all this
work and you continue to do it, and you're saving
so many lives and saving so many cats from becoming
feral cats and giving them homes.
Speaker 3 (17:40):
So kudos to you.
Speaker 2 (17:41):
I'm sure you know, I'm sure you don't hear that enough,
but you're seriously kudos to you.
Speaker 1 (17:47):
Well, thank you very very much. And like you said,
it definitely takes a village because I've got an amazing
team of volunteers. Everyone's a volunteer. It is amazing and
I love it.
Speaker 3 (17:57):
Well, that's good exactly.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
And you can tell like it's in your heart, it's
in your soul, so it's it's probably as much as
it's hard work, I feel like for you, it's not
because it's what you love doing.
Speaker 3 (18:08):
So we need more people like you.
Speaker 1 (18:10):
And you thank you so much for letting me, helping
me get the word out because that's so.
Speaker 3 (18:16):
Important, absolutely absolutely so.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
Cheqita Taylor, the director of Traps two Laps. If you
can make a donation to help her out because you
can see she does a lot of work and has
all the volunteers and well, you can do that at
Save Rescue dot org and hit the donate button and
put in trap two laps. And if you want to
follow her model, because I know she'd be more than
willing to help you out wherever you are in the
(18:40):
country listening, you can email her outreach at fix your
Pet fi x U r pet dot com. Well, Takita,
thank you so much, Thanks for all of your help
and all of your information, and I hope some people
reach out to you, whether it's with donations or to
follow your lead.
Speaker 3 (18:58):
So thank you, thank.
Speaker 1 (18:59):
You, thank you so much. I really appreciate you in
your time. Thank you. Never be arator operator in the
Radormigator
It's Maria's MutS and Stuff. What a great idea on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
Welcome to Maria's Mutts and Stuff and with me today
is the director of the Traps two Lapse program, Chakda Tailors,
So Shakida, I know you're very busy, and I appreciate
that you made some time to talk about Traps two laps.
Speaker 1 (00:24):
Well, thank you very much for asking me. Then come
on board here.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Absolutely, so tell me what is For those who have
no idea, what is traps to lapse?
Speaker 1 (00:34):
Tramp sillapse is a little bit of a unique idea.
Everyone is aware of rescue groups that get kittens and
pats and get them healthy and adoptable, and then they
work to get these animals adopted. Traps s lapse came
about because we have a T and R team which
(00:56):
is Trapped New Tering Return, and trappers were going out
and finding kittens and not knowing what to do with
them because they were way too young to go to
rescue groups for adoption. So we kind of thought about
it for a little while, and they were coming to
us in really bad health and just in bad condition.
(01:19):
So I thought, well, what if we could figure out
a way to bring in these little ones and have
them fostered and have the medical attention given to them
that they need to get them healthy enough to go
through the surgeries spanouter surgeries at three months, and then
(01:40):
hand them over to the rescue groups. They get to
be friendly, socialized fixed cats then get adopted. So kind
of kick the plane into gear. And we had a
large trapping and yep, we sure that's the kittens and
all of that, and we just got a team of
(02:01):
people to start fostering. And we do field techs that
go to the foster's homes every two weeks to check
on the kittens, to vaccinate, to do whatever they feel
is necessary. Come more often if it's necessary. And last
year I think that we turned over one hundred and
(02:22):
forty seven kittens.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
Yeah, And I'm thrilled because we really were kind of
making our way through this on our own, trying to
figure out how to do this and best way to
do this. This year, now at the end of June
or end of July, we're looking at one hundred and
seventy five that we've already sent through two adoption partners.
Speaker 3 (02:46):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
And with a ninety five adoption rate.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
Wow, that's amazing.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
So basically because I know with T and R it's
usually with kats, not kittens.
Speaker 3 (02:57):
So this is act I guess right, because they were
already feral.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
This is almost like uh, preventing the problem before it begins,
Is that right?
Speaker 1 (03:07):
This is exactly right. This is a shelter diversion program
because normally, if people finding kittens, they'll take them to
the shelters, and the shelters are already over welm sure,
and the outcome is not always desirable. So this way
we are kittens and our mama cafts never see a shelter.
We either return them to the owner, if they remain feral,
(03:31):
we return them to the fields, or we get them adopted.
Speaker 3 (03:34):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
Yeah, I've been thrilled with this.
Speaker 3 (03:38):
Yeah for sure.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
I mean and I would think, uh that what you're
doing because you're you're in the you're in the Texas area.
Speaker 3 (03:45):
Is that correct? You're in Texas.
Speaker 1 (03:48):
Yes, we function in the Galveston County area, which is
south of Houston. Okay, and yeah, we have a lot
of them. The predicament that we're in. I think you're
in New.
Speaker 3 (03:59):
York Yeah, yes, I'm in New York City. Yes.
Speaker 1 (04:02):
The predicament that we have is our weather here is
warm year round. Okay, so they supply year round, not
like up north, right, right, right, we don't have a downtime.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
Sure, it's you know.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
Our kitten season just means it's normal on steroids.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
That's true because usually here it's like springtime, it's kitten season.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
Right, But yeah, exactly exactly. So now we're in kitten season.
And I think right now, like I said, we have
one hundred and seventy something that we've already pushed through
to the adoption partners, and I have sixty five still
in the program currently, and I just brought in seven
(04:45):
four day old kittens with their mama.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Oh my goodness, wow wow wow. So it never ends.
So do you right, but in a good way. But
do you have I assume that you have particular rescues
shelters that you work with consistently.
Speaker 3 (05:01):
Is that correct?
Speaker 1 (05:02):
What we do is we call them our rescue partners.
They are not shelters. They're actually nonprofit groups, and they
they take care of Like when you go into a
pet supply place, you'll see condos in there with the
kittens in them or cats in them. At least they
do here, yes, but they you know, they monitor and
(05:25):
maintain there. So instead of just getting their kittens from
general public or you know, maybe going to a shelter
or something, they're taking their kittens from us. They get
a lot of kittens from us. That way, it evens
the responsibility and the burden on them because they're a
lot ander having to do all of the medical and everything.
(05:47):
They get like I said, the chubby, cute, little little kitten, right,
you know, and they put them in their condos and
they are going. So yeah, it's really it's been really
did so. The structure itself is that we have fosters,
and we also have taken up the idea of like
(06:10):
when a finder says, hey, I found you know, mama
with five kittens and stuff. Can you help us? My
first question to them is can you foster?
Speaker 2 (06:18):
Right?
Speaker 1 (06:19):
Sure? Be the foster in place. Do you do that?
We will furnish you food, litter, we will do all
the medical with our field text coming to your home
checking on the kittens, and then we will take them
from you on this date because that's the date that
they're going to go into surgery, and then you your
fostering stops. So it benefits them because they have a start,
(06:43):
they have a date, and it's not a never ending
fostering situation. God, it's given.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
That really that brings them in much easier than you know,
they're all afraid they're going to end up fostering for
a year. Sure, that's not so, depending on how old
the kittens are when we get them. If they're four
days old, then it could be up to twelve weeks
that they're fostering. If they're four weeks old, then it's
you know, it's eight weeks that they're fostering, right, so depends.
(07:14):
Some come in at ten weeks, We keep them for
two weeks, get everything done, out they go and they're
off to an adoption partner. And that's the third aspect
is you know, our foster's foster in place, and then
our own fosters are field texts that are medically going
out there and checking on the kittens. And then we
(07:36):
have I've got agreements with several of the adoption groups
that I constantly, I constantly am in touch with them saying, hey,
I've got this letter that just came in today. They're
going to be ready in October because and then can
you schedule us, you know, six spots spots in October
(07:57):
to take these kittens in. They'll tell me or not.
They say, yes, good kicks.
Speaker 3 (08:02):
Wow, We're done.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
I mean, it sounds like it. It's it sounds like
it's so simple that it's almost like mind boggling.
Speaker 3 (08:10):
Why this hasn't been done before? Does that make sense?
Speaker 2 (08:14):
Like I feel like I mean, of course, I feel
like you are traps to lapse. Is definitely like a
model for other communities and states around the country, which
is a lot, But it feels like it's such a
simple idea.
Speaker 3 (08:25):
But I think like you are the first to do it.
Am I correct on that?
Speaker 1 (08:28):
Yeah, as far as we know. Yes, And that's one
of my big things is I really wish and I
really hope others will contact me. I have the basic
foundation set up, honestly, so I would hand it over
in a heartbeat to help them start it. It works.
(08:49):
You know, it's not easy, but it works. I mean,
you know, it's a lot of works. It's a lot
of you know, working with a lot of different people,
fosters and medical texts and you know, the adoption groups,
but everybody and the rescue committed community seems to be
so passionate, you know, making these getting these kittens healthy
(09:12):
and out to adoption, to for homes. So it seems
to just flow on that that passion and that love
right that this community has.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
Right yeah, which yeah, which is probably like a common
it's a common trait or characteristic or emotion that anyone
who's in animal rescue has that you know, to save
the lives of dogs and cats.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
So it was Yeah.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
So I mean that to me is is is almost
like a win win for anyone else to actually try
to do what you're doing, you know, follow what follow
your lead, because it does make so much sense.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
Yeah, you know, it's wonderful to be able to say,
because I mean we find them in some horrendous places.
You know, you know, there might be one or two
survivors out of a litter after a dog has attacked them,
or we find them under tires, or we buy them
under you know, open refrigerators, and you know, I mean
there's just no telling where they're going to come from.
(10:13):
And that's why we do consider them high risk when
they come into our program. But you know, we get
them through that and then by the time they're through
and they had their surgery. They're great little kiddis sure.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
Yeah, and they're all ready for their new home, for
their forever home.
Speaker 1 (10:32):
Yeah, they are perfectly ready for their forever home. And
you know, at a big key on this is, yes,
we can do all the medical and get them nice
and chubby and everything, but the socialization, and that is
something you know when we when we interview our fosters,
is that I put a lot of heavy responsibility on
(10:54):
socializing because we've had people that understand socialization as feeding them,
letting them run around the room to have a good time,
and they're playful and everything, but you can't pick.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
Them up right right, right, yeah, of course, because it's
almost like breaking the cycle of it being a feral cat.
Speaker 1 (11:14):
Yes, that's exactly.
Speaker 3 (11:15):
Yeah, No, that makes sense. Do you have a yeah?
Speaker 2 (11:18):
Is your team like, do you have a large amount
of people working with you?
Speaker 1 (11:22):
You know, it's kind of grown. I mean, like I said,
last year, we started with five or six of us,
and you know, we just kind of did it. And
then this year I've had more and more people calling
me about kittens and then they'll foster in place. Wow,
and then they joined the team. Right, So I'm a
(11:42):
list of probably thirty to thirty four fosters, and right
now I think actively I have like eighteen or nineteen litters.
Speaker 3 (11:52):
Wow. Okay, so there.
Speaker 1 (11:54):
Are eighteen or nineteen fosters that are actively fostering it today.
Speaker 3 (11:59):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (12:00):
Yeah. But they all know when they're going, you know,
their time for fosterings off. So and then we always
keep a couple of extras because if somebody's fostering and
they're gonna go on vacation for a week, then we
have our kidvy sitters, so they'll take them for a
week and then when the foster comes back, we give
them back to them.
Speaker 3 (12:20):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
Yeah, there's no no, you can't do this or we
can't foster because we're going to be gone for a week.
We have a solution for that.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
That's wonderful. No, that's really it's excellent. I mean it
just it sounds like it's so perfect. I mean, you
haven't figured out. That's what I think is really cool
about it.
Speaker 1 (12:38):
And that's what I'm hoping other people will see that.
We don't know if we have it completely figured out,
but we're we're getting it. We're definitely getting to get there.
And you know, the numbers are proving that this can
be done, sure, and turning over. I anticipate by the
end of the year we'll have well over three hundred,
three hundred and fifty kittens that.
Speaker 3 (12:59):
We've turned over for amazing.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
Would you know a lot of them wouldn't just not
have made it?
Speaker 2 (13:04):
Sure, No, you're absolutely right, or they would wind up
just being growing into cats who are part of the
federal community.
Speaker 1 (13:10):
Exactly and reproducing, and you know, the cycle goes on
and on the corner of course, you know the fact
that these are all ready to go, they're loving their
social they're healthy, and they're sterilized. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
No, that's a wonderful You're breaking the cycle, which is
pretty amazing. You know, it's making a huge difference because
you really are. You're breaking the cycle.
Speaker 1 (13:30):
Yeah, that was you know, uh, it's just that trap
and neuter you know, the Spain neuter clinic that we
work with. I mean, that was the foundation of this.
We've got because of our weather here in huge shure.
I think to last I heard somebody was thinking that
we had like over a million feral cats.
Speaker 3 (13:49):
Right, wow, yeah, I believe it.
Speaker 2 (13:52):
I mean, you're right, because it's not like, oh, it's freezing,
so you know, you don't have the same weather that
you have like in the northeast or the northwest.
Speaker 3 (14:00):
You're you're always warm. So let me ask you this.
Speaker 2 (14:03):
You survive and you can you do this through donations?
Speaker 3 (14:07):
Is that correct?
Speaker 1 (14:08):
That is strictly what we have is that we get
no financial assistance from any organization or you know, county
or state or anything like that. No governmental is okay?
Speaker 2 (14:21):
So tell me, Yeah, so tell me if someone who's
listening right now wants to help out with a donation,
where can they help out than.
Speaker 1 (14:30):
You go to our Our our umbrella organization is Save
Rescue Coalition. So if they go to Save Rescue dot
org and just hit the donate button and then in
the memo you just say traps to lax and then
we get that and that helps us pay for the foods.
(14:51):
Do you know how much food sixty kittens?
Speaker 2 (14:56):
A lot, a lot, But you know it's help to
pay for our food, our medication.
Speaker 1 (15:03):
And of course of our medical experiences expenses because if
our medical situation gets beyond our capabilities, we then have
to go to the vet.
Speaker 3 (15:13):
Well that's what I was going to ask you. Yeah,
if you had vets like on.
Speaker 2 (15:16):
I guess you have vets that you know and trust
that are kind of not on call, but that will
help you out.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
Yes, what we do is, you know, we call and say, okay,
we've got an issue with this one, and yes it
is an emergency, and they'll do their best to get
us in right, you know, or I say, you know,
we've got this one and he's you know, his gait
is just a little off. That looks kind of strange, right,
can you take them? Then they'll do the x rays
(15:43):
and everything, and of course we have to pay for
all of that, but at least we have somebody that
we can go to when we feel like we've exhausted
all of our resources and knowledge, then we go, we
see them, you know, go with a vet. And that's
that's our process.
Speaker 2 (15:59):
Wow, it's fascinating and it's amazing, and it's excellent because
you're really you know, you're making a big difference, and
you know, it's that old. It takes a village, and
you know, I feel like you have it figured out,
and I know you're like, well, you know it's not perfect, yeah,
but it's a lot better than what.
Speaker 3 (16:16):
Other communities are doing.
Speaker 2 (16:17):
Because other communities aren't doing this at all, So I
really you know, you are the model, and I hope
that you know, there are others who are listening to
this right now and they're like, oh, that's.
Speaker 3 (16:27):
A great idea, we should try that.
Speaker 2 (16:29):
I know there are people who are listening who would
love to help, and they can help out by going
to save Rescue dot org and hit donation for Trap
two laps if they wanted to be in touch with you,
what's is there a best way without you know, giving
out your phone number that they can get in touch
with you to follow your model.
Speaker 1 (16:48):
Yes, please feel free to email me at outreach oh
u t r each at six fi x your you
are pet pet dot com and that will come directly
to me.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
Oh that's great, so outreach at fix your Pet yourepet
dot com. That's wonderful. That's wonderful. Well this is yeah, No,
I would love that. That would be so cool, you know,
putting people together, that's what the whole purpose is, right
to get to get all of these animals adopted into
forever homes. So, Chikida, this has been you know, I'm
(17:25):
fascinated by it and like in awe of you because
I think it's really amazing that you've done all this
work and you continue to do it, and you're saving
so many lives and saving so many cats from becoming
feral cats and giving them homes.
Speaker 3 (17:40):
So kudos to you.
Speaker 2 (17:41):
I'm sure you know, I'm sure you don't hear that enough,
but you're seriously kudos to you.
Speaker 1 (17:47):
Well, thank you very very much. And like you said,
it definitely takes a village because I've got an amazing
team of volunteers. Everyone's a volunteer. It is amazing and
I love it.
Speaker 3 (17:57):
Well, that's good exactly.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
And you can tell like it's in your heart, it's
in your soul, so it's it's probably as much as
it's hard work, I feel like for you, it's not
because it's what you love doing.
Speaker 3 (18:08):
So we need more people like you.
Speaker 1 (18:10):
And you thank you so much for letting me, helping
me get the word out because that's so.
Speaker 3 (18:16):
Important, absolutely absolutely so.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
Cheqita Taylor, the director of Traps two Laps. If you
can make a donation to help her out because you
can see she does a lot of work and has
all the volunteers and well, you can do that at
Save Rescue dot org and hit the donate button and
put in trap two laps. And if you want to
follow her model, because I know she'd be more than
willing to help you out wherever you are in the
(18:40):
country listening, you can email her outreach at fix your
Pet fi x U r pet dot com. Well, Takita,
thank you so much, Thanks for all of your help
and all of your information, and I hope some people
reach out to you, whether it's with donations or to
follow your lead.
Speaker 3 (18:58):
So thank you, thank.
Speaker 1 (18:59):
You, thank you so much. I really appreciate you in
your time. Thank you. Never be arator operator in the
Radormigator
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.