It’s an honor to feature my friend, Vivian Darnell, as TMBA’s first Guest Angel with her tribute to the Earth Angels she knows. I met Vivian a few years ago while we were both working with an animal welfare organization. Vivian is the first person I ever met engaged in TNR (Trap/Neuter/Return) and, when she educated me on everything that is involved with this mission, I was absolutely gobsmacked by the commitment and dedication of the humans who carry out this effort to improve quality of life for countless un-owned cats. If the title “Earth Angels” can be earned, it undoubtedly belongs to to these selfless souls who refer to themselves as Feeders and Trappers.
Earth Angels
By Vivian Darnell
Angels. There to protect. There to help. There to encourage. And, frequently, there when you least expect them. My first attempt at “animal rescue” was in a little town in Georgia where I walked to and from my elementary school in first grade. In a wooded, rather swampy area on my way home one afternoon, I saw a skinny dog with sagging teats drinking from the stream. For a few days, I packed my own PBJ sandwich for lunch but added some luncheon meat and some bread—hoping not to get caught “pillaging” by my mother, who had enough trouble feeding her own four two-legged kids. I wasn’t sure about peanut butter but I smeared some on the bread, just in case. Peanut butter disappearing from the jar was a lot less obvious than missing luncheon meat. When Mom found out—and, of course, she did—what did she do? She went out and proudly presented me with a bag of dog food and gave me a big hug.
Fast forward to full adulthood, many adopted rescue animals along my life’s path, to a move to a condo in south Florida with my husband and our two rescued cats. One of our neighbors mentioned that a skinny tabby kitten was showing up at the grill area in the evenings begging for scraps. That was the beginning a new “career”—with guidance and support from staff at the shelter where I volunteered. I managed to trap/neuter/vaccinate her. Though I had planned to return her to the condo grounds, I realized she might be friendly enough to be adopted. I arranged to house her until I could find an adoptive home. That didn’t go as quickly as I hoped. Her lucky stars were shining brightly and an Angel hovered over her, and after some phone calls, I boarded a plane and delivered “Tinker” sight-unseen to Colorado to my sister.
So where was the angel there? ‘Watching over a woman who really how no clue about trapping, fostering, or finding an adoptive home and earning me the title “Trapper V.” That Angel has stayed with me since.
More years forward. Increasingly involved with local charitable efforts and encouraged by my dear friend June who is—and has been—an angel to animals near and far. The director of a local animal welfare organization and I decided to try to get trappers together to reduce the ever-increasing number of breeding un-homed cats in our county.
The director of a local animal welfare organization and I decided to try to get trappers together to reduce the ever-increasing number of breeding un-homed cats in our county. We formed an all-volunteer group in early 2019. There I met the most amazing group of Earth Angels. All dedicate their time, effort, and money to trap, neuter, vaccinate, and return feral/community cats to stem the overpopulation. For, you see, Florida has not one specific “breeding season” but all four are “breeding seasons.”
As I coordinated events (called TNR for trap/neuter/return), I began to fully realize the incredible commitment to homeless cats these women make, giving each lucky cat a healthier life without the burden of endless litters of kittens to only continue the relentless cycle.
Kind men and women provide food and water for these un-homed cats and are definitely also angels for these creatures. Trappers coordinate with the feeders to not feed the day/night before to maximize the likelihood of successful trapping.
Trappers courageously work in the dark—early mornings and late evenings–when the reflection of glowing eyes signal a cat’s location. To get to this point, the trapper has had to supply herself with traps, ties, food, catnip, chicken tenders and other goodies to lure cats into the traps. Arrangements have to be made ahead of time to secure spots with a clinic to perform the spay/neuter surgeries and vaccinations. Once trapped, the cat must be housed overnight prior to surgery. And, of course, transport to/from the clinic must be provided. After surgery, the cats require attention to ensure that they ready to be returned to their feeder’s location.
Sound easy? It most certainly is not!
As a senior citizen (how I really don’t care for that phrase), I am now long past my trapping days. But as someone who did it for a number of years—and as recently as in 2022, no matter how senior I may be—I can appreciate the sacrifice each and every one of these trappers willingly makes. And makes again and again.
In my eyes, these are the most precious ANGELS I know. And, in my opinion, they have ANGELS watching over them to protect them and the cats lucky enough to cross their paths.
Frustrated by the limitations of language which so inadequately express my respect and admiration for these women who volunteer so much, I struggle to convey the magnitude of what they do. It could be overwhelming and they could give up. But they do not.
My childhood dream was certainly not to become a “Cat Ambassador” but that is where life and angels have led me.
I continue to try to raise funds and find sponsors to help these trappers with their work. I organize and coordinate events for the volunteer team whenever possible. I try to encourage them as I have been encouraged. Their effort is what keeps me trying, because they are angels, and I feel privileged to be this near Earth Angels.”
The foregoing article about Earth Angels, by Vivian Darnell, was very interesting. The volunteers who engage in TNR are certainly Earth Angels and deserve all the praise any of us earthlings give them.
Thank you, Kathy. Yes, Vivian was the first person I had ever met active in TNR and learning from her became the inspiration behind They Might Be Angels.