Summer 2023

volunteers who help foster kittens. “You can’t do it all yourself,” says Villagómez. “You have to build a community of rescue-minded people.” She says the ideal type of person to do this work is someone who has a ‘high-volume men- tality.’“We need volunteers who aren’t just con- cerned with puppies, kittens or popular breeds. We work fast and move large numbers of ani- mals through the program.” Between 2020 and 2022, 1,200 cats passed through SCAR’s caring hands. More than 900 of those were kittens, all of which were adopted to loving homes. Most came from TNR. Villagómez recognized a tremendous need in her community and moved to fill it. She works tirelessly—15-hour workdays are the norm for her—and she is humble and self-effacing in dis- cussing her work. But Scherer is not so shy.“Her tenacity, dedication and commitment are awe- inspiring. I wish there were more people like Maria in the world.” To learn more about Our Neighborhood Pet Pro- ject, or to make a donation to the cause, please visit www.ourneighborhoodpetproject.org. Feral cats are highly intelligent. Wary and expert at survival, it occasionally takes several attempts to trap the elusive animals. (Center, left) These four kittens were rescued, fostered to health and placed in loving homes. A happy kitten success story: Gravely ill Jax was rescued September 7, 2022. Feared he wouldn’t survive, he was lovingly nursed to health. As of May 17, 2023, he is living his best life with a Monterey family alongside his littermate Maya. 180 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R 2 0 2 3