There are dozens of rescue groups in the Atlanta area working to deal with the problem of pet overpopulation and homeless animals. We see them and hear about the work that they do, and they do a good job with an overwhelming problem. But these groups can’t do all of it themselves.

Fortunately there are people who take it upon themselves to help out in varying ways. Individuals and informal groups of caring people work on their own to provide care for animals in need, often caring for segments of the pet population that the formal rescue groups cannot help with.

One of these people is Carrie Murtha, a young woman who, along with her husband Brian, lives on the westside of midtown. The Howell Mill Road area, near Atlantic Station, is in transition, and change seems to bring with it the problem of abandoned cats. The westside has a lot of colonies of abandoned and lost cats, many of which have become wild. Many have been born wild and have never had human contact.

Carrie began feeding some of these cats over a year ago just because they looked hungry and she cared. She did some research on the problem and learned about TNR, a program in which feral cats are Trapped, tested for disease, vaccinated if healthy, spayed or Neutered, and Returned to the area where they were trapped to rejoin the colony, without the ability to reproduce.

Carrie, with Brian’s help, as well as that of friends and neighbors, began her own TNR program on the westside. Lifeline Animal Project was a great help to her. Through their feral cat assistance program they offered guidance, valuable advice, traps and great prices for spays, neuters and vaccinations. People heard about what she and Brian were doing and helped out with food and other donations, including cash to help with the medical expenses. The number of kittens born in the area this year has been greatly reduced.

Carrie is grateful to all of the people who have helped her in this effort, and has a name for them – Alley Cat Angels. She recently began sending out an e-mail to those who have helped or expressed an interest in what she is doing, giving updates on different cats, chronicling the progress of the program, and acknowledging those who have contributed.

Brian is a college student and Carrie is an artist, so the amount they can budget for this project is limited. Donations have been a big help, but since they are not a tax-exempt corporation they are not deductible. Carrie has created a line of animal related artwork and hopes that sales of these items can help fund the program. We do not have the website information and cannot get it before we go to the printer. Carrie can be contacted at themanagerie@biltmorecomm.com. for information about the program or her artwork.