 This stray cat was living in the Everroad Park East field and woods.  Alyssia, from Animal Care Services, checks for a microchip. Update (March 12, 2026): When I last spoke with Animal Care Services Director Nicohl Birdwell Goodin, she shared that Storm has been adopted. He was named Storm because he was rescued just before our community experienced nearly a foot of snow and sub-zero temperatures. I’m grateful for the work of Animal Care Services, which helps ensure that animals like Storm are given a second chance and, ultimately, a place to call home. ************************************************************* Last week, my wife and I were walking the People Trail when we came across a stray cat. He was friendly, clearly hungry, and not neutered. He allowed us to approach him, often a sign that an animal has been around people before, but it was obvious he didn’t have a home or consistent care. We contacted Columbus Animal Care Services, and they responded quickly and professionally. The cat was safely picked up and taken into care. We’re grateful for that response, and we’ll share more information about his outcome as it becomes available. That brief encounter highlights a larger issue, one our community already knows how to address. Prevention Is the Humane Solution The mission of Columbus Animal Care Services is to protect and enhance the safety, health, and welfare of both animals and residents in our community. A major part of that work is prevention, especially through spay and neuter initiatives. When pets aren’t spayed or neutered, the result is more animals roaming neighborhoods, more strain on shelters, and more preventable suffering. Spay/neuter programs reduce intake, improve animal health and behavior, and allow Animal Care Services to focus resources on adoptions, rescue partnerships, and emergency response. Help Is Available Columbus Animal Care Services partners with organizations like Pet Friendly Services of Indiana to help make spay and neuter services affordable and accessible for Indiana residents, including support for community cats. These programs exist to help people do the right thing before an animal ends up abandoned, injured, or surrendered. They’re practical, compassionate tools that benefit everyone. Small Choices Add Up Residents can support this work in simple ways:
Why This Matters The cat we encountered on the trail wasn’t aggressive or dangerous, just vulnerable. With early intervention, many animals never reach that point. Spay and neuter programs help ensure fewer animals are born into uncertainty and fewer resources are stretched thin. Columbus is known for caring well for what it values. Supporting spay and neuter efforts through Columbus Animal Care Services and its partners is one more way we can live out that commitment, quietly, responsibly, and with compassion.  Comments are closed.
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AuthorI was born and raised in Columbus, and I've spent the last 25 years living and working here. I love our city, and together we can keep it great! |