When I came to the University of Central Florida, I had to leave my pets behind just like everyone else. It's a devastating void that cannot be fulfilled by any other form of connection. Moving into Knights Circle, everything changed. Many students and their family members can attest that the Knights Circle cats are single-handedly a top reason for their happiness here in Orlando, Florida. For quite some time, the cats went under the radar- never a bother. The only issue was that the colony kept repopulating, and I decided to step up to the plate and participate in Orange County's TNR (Trap, Neuter, and Return) program through Care TNR. TNR is a simple solution to many colony issues. It not only removes any current pregnancies (already reducing the population size) and removes the need to spray, but it gives the cats a chance to get vaccinated and stabilizes the population. Over time, the population will decrease as the cats are adopted out of the colony, or die by cars or natural causes. TNR is the ONLY solution- especially if their lives are not in grave danger.

Now onto the issue. Knights Circle has hired a private company to come in and remove these cats from their home of over 4-5+ years gauged by the oldest one I've personally trapped for TNR. This comes as a result from an "allergy and garbage" complaint. This is not only mercilessly stressful on the cats- it directly affects those who are their caretakers. Seeing the traps being set... was an extremely devastating sight. I and others have cared endlessly for these cats for however long each of us have been here. We demand that the trapping stop!

According to FACE Spay & Neuter:

THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS MAY WARRANT RELOCATION:
-The lives of the cats are being threatened in a way that can not be legally remedied; KC Cats are in no imminent danger due to feedings occurring at the rear of the apartments near a wooded area off of the property. 
-The colony is located on public or private property that will not allow the colony to be maintained; I, Hailey Upchurch, have personally facilitated the TNR of over 13 cats that were on Knights Circle's property- all females are suspected to be fixed.
-Their home or shelter is being destroyed and it is impossible to provide an alternative shelter at their current habitat or migration of the cats within a reasonable distance is not possible; Quadrangle Owners Assocation Inc.'s property is stable and provides ample foliage and water access points.
-There is no identified caretaker; There are five of us I can count off the top of my head.

"Relocation of community cats is an absolute last resort and should only be considered if a cat is in imminent danger." AlleyCat.Org

The cats are of no problem to us residents. They scurry away on their own unless they know you. For all of the times I have been outside, I have never once seen a cat terrorize something 10-15x its size. The argument over cat allergies is redundant. If you are allergic, do not approach the cats. Gently scare them away and they will go. It is no excuse to remove an entire family from their home. The cats do not reside on Knights Circle property. They cross over from property belonging to Quadrangle Owners Association Incorporated- Knights Circle has no right to relocate them from the property as they live on someone else's. 

Let me put something into perspective for you... would you like it if some man tried to come and forcefully remove you from your home in a metal crate under the guise you're going to a "farm"? Away from your family- your brothers and sisters? People think cats are malleable... they aren't. Removing them from this property would not only cause irreparable damages to the bonds they've made with each other, but put their lives in jeopardy by throwing them into a new pecking order. This has to stop!

What I can do for Knights Circle by the time I leave 7/31/2021: I can socialize as many cats as possible to be rehomed. It took me two years for some... but they just need time. I am very able to domesticate- I've done it multiple times and have successfully rehomed five. I can ensure they are set for life and aid in the healthy decline of the population. 

Please help me give them a chance.