WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE -- Thousands of stray cats roam the streets of Dayton, Ohio, posing challenges for animal control, residents and the animals themselves.
Capt. Alexandria Beckett, Geospatial and Signatures Intelligence Group executive officer, is tackling this issue head-on through her volunteer work with Batta Cats, a nonprofit organization using Trap-Neuter-Return to manage the population
Trap-Neuter-Return is a method for managing outdoor cat populations by trapping them, spaying or neutering them, and then returning them to their original area.
"I got into TNR when I moved to the off-base housing community here at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. There were a bunch of residents posting about little kittens in storm drains and in dangerous situations," Beckett said. "I was upset that no one was really helping with the situation and decided to do something about it."
After considering the many ways to get involved, Beckett decided that Trap-Neuter-Return was the best way she could help these animals.
"I'm passionate about helping animals, but fostering takes a lot of time and resources that I simply don't have with my military duties. Trap-neuter-Return allows me to make a significant difference for the local cat population in a way that's manageable for me," said Beckett.
Beckett spends her weekends at different locations throughout the Dayton area setting up traps to capture the cats.
"I volunteer my time trapping outdoor cats to get them fixed, vaccinated and medicated," Beckett said. "Most of these cats are feral, which means they are untamed and cannot be caught by hand. Therefore, we use humane animal traps to catch them for the necessary medical care."
While most of Beckett’s efforts are TNR related, she recently spent some time supporting stray cats in another way.
“People at work ask me about the cats and how they could help, so I decided to work with Batta Cats and create a volunteer opportunity that was extended to the group. We hosted an outdoor cat shelter workshop, where 25 group members created roughly 345 shelters that were distributed to the local area to be used for cats that stay outside during the harsh winter months,” said Beckett.
Since May 2024, Beckett has helped more than 350 cats in the local area and has enlisted her group in the mission to help the local feline population by building shelters.
Beckett’s story is a reminder that a little bit of effort, especially when everyone pitches in, can go a long way in making our community a better place for both people and our furry friends.