In 2007, Animal Planet and the makers of Fresh Step® Litter awarded the first-ever Cat Hero Award to Foster City, California resident Cimeron Morrissey!
Cimeron was nominated by Sylvia Cavazos for her work as founder of "Project Bay Cat", which helps the sick and hungry cats that live in the rocks along San Francisco Bay.
Cimeron's nomination: "Cimeron formed "Project Bay Cat" when she saw a need to help the almost 200 sick and hungry cats that live in the rocks along San Francisco Bay. Many people wanted to get rid of the cats by having them trapped and killed. It was feared that the cats were killing and eating the birds that migrate and live in the wetlands."
"Cimeron united all of us who were feeding the cats on our own and now the cats are fed daily at feeding stations away from the birds. She trapped every cat herself for spay/neuter surgery and vaccinations, and found homes for every kitten. The city of Foster City has put up signs in the area informing people that the cats are part of a humane management program, which is a collaboration between the city, Homeless Cat Network and Sequoia Audubon Society – the first ever in the U.S."
" All the cats have been fixed and she even found homes for some of the friendly adult cats. No kittens have been born in the area in over a year! This project has worked so well that we are now getting inquiries from other states and countries for the step-by-step "Tool Kit" that Cimeron created. Cat Fancy wrote about Project Bay Cat in March 2007, and Cimeron also writes articles about it to educate and inspire others. These cats are now fat, lazy and happy!"
For winning the 2007 Fresh Step® Litter Cat Hero Award, Cimeron's favorite animal welfare organization received a $5,000 donation provided by the makers of Fresh Step® Litter.
