Erie Trap and Release

Toni, Michael and the entire Erie TNR team go above and beyond to see that no homeless cat is left behind. They work tirelessly to provide these voiceless angels with the food and medical care they so desperately need. I have worked many times with this outstanding nonprofit to rescue and transport strays from my property to no kill shelters where they will be safe and, hopefully, find a forever home. I am also a proud donor, and I can highly recommend this worthy organization to you based on my personal experience.

Thank you Erie Trap and Release for coming to help me with a very sick feral tiny kitty a year back.

Their love and compassion is amazing and I thank them for their hard work to help the poor helpless cats and kittens in our community.

God has blessed us with you and your love to help those homeless cats/kittens.

Erie trap and release is wonderful, a week ago I found a cat that was in terrible condition, skin n bones. He couldn’t keep food or water down, he was going door to door begging for help. Didn’t know what I was gonna do, they helped when no one else would. He is now on his journey to recovery ❤️‍

Toni dedicates her whole being to helping TNR; the result is lower populations in shelters, lesser chances of spreading fatal & contagious feline diseases and higher homing rates for strays.

I met Toni few years ago when we had some kittens living under my daughters porch and we needed a trap to catch them before the snow started to fly. Toni is the Most caring person when it comes to saving kittens and cats. She does her Very best to care for any in her care. Who nos what would happen if her organization wasn't here. Thank God for Trap and Release

Toni has helped us multiple times when we've found strays, to answering questions and helping with our own cats. Erie Trap and Relesse is a huge blessing to Erie County.and the surrounding area. She truly cares about these cats.

Several months ago, I contacted Toni on FB, and she was here quickly to help. My neighbor and I heard, then saw 2 fluffy kittens by a next-door-neighbors shed. We lured them thru the chain-link fence, with pureed cat food. No mother in sight. I caught them just before Toni came. She took them in, cared for them, took them to the vet, and when they were old enough, found them a loving home, together. She has a beautiful, compassionate heart, and truly saves lives everyday. I would go nowhere else to adopt, knowing the loving care she gives them, She is truly an Earth-Angel.

Erie Trap and Release provide a wonderful service for not only area feral cats, but abandoned or lost cats in the community. They helped me with a feral colony by trapping, spaying/neutering, vaccinating and the return and release back to the area. Toni and Mike are great, caring people who truly give of themselves in an effort to save the homeless and unfortunate innocent cats and kittens in our area. Thank you!

I am a facebook follower of this site. The owner will always do everything in her power
to take in, vacinate, feed and care for stray cats. She then finds appropriate homes for them.
I hope to one day adopt a cat or two from her as she is one of the only available places that does not chip the felines. I do not want a chipped pet.

This rescue is one of the best I have seen. Tony puts her heart and soul into taking care of these cats and finding them homes. I have never met her personally, but I feel like I know her well. I do believe she would do without to give these cats what they need, she has never said that but know she has. She is so deserving of so much more and is one of the kindest people. These are some blessed cats to have her on their side. I wish I could help her more than I have, someday maybe I can. God Bless her!

Not many organizations help to stop the reproduction of feral cats in our area. This is a problem that needs continued support from Erie Trap and Release.

This woman takes in all the animals she either traps or that are dropped off to her. She gets little help financially but manages to get many spayed or neutered and find home. She really could use a hand so she can continue.

they do amazing work! I think what they do for the Strays is wonderful ❤️

Toni is a special woman that unselfishly opens her home to all of these poor kitties living on the street, cold and hungry.

The people that are involved with Erie Trap & Release are amazing and big hearted. There love for animals is truly inspirational.

Erie Trap and Release is an amazing cat rescue. Toni has dedicated her life to rescue and help cats others have thrown out.

This nonprofit does an amazing job rehabbing many kitties and finding them loving homes. All kitties get vet check ups, vet care and are spayed/neutered and vaccinated before they go to their new homes!! It's clear a lot of hard work is put into rescuing and caring for these cats! This nonprofit deserves respect and support!

Erie trap and release is an amazing organization! They do so much for homeless helpless cats and kittens.

Erie strap and release are wonderful people helping out all the cats in need of help I have so much respect for them

The most honest and caring people I have ever met...Saves the lives of feral cats and made neighborhoods save for all.

It's great someone is out there trying to help the feral population and outdoor cats.

Toni is an amazing woman. She has helped myself when I found a kitten outside of work and also she has helped my family with strays. She has a heart of gold. ❤️❤️❤️

Erie Trap & Release is a GOD SEND to the city of Erie!
Toni is such a devoted animal lover, who works tirelessly to help the kitties!

They are awesome. Helped me with my sick cat get the care she needed for an affordable price. Not comparable to anyone else. And was willing to help with the drop of a hat. Highly recommend.

I love them. I got my best friend from them. And they check all the time to make sure he is well

Toni has help many cats and kittens needing medical help or being spayed or neutered. Jewels was born in our barn and was losing her battle with life, Toni found us a foster to take her in a nurse her back to health. After months of antibiotics and fluids. Jewels was old enough to get spayed and shots. She is here on our farm and doing well. She loves to cuddle and be around humans.

Toni is such an amazing person. She puts her heart and soul into rescuing and caring for the cats.

Erie Trap and Release is such an awesome Animal Rescue !!! Toni runs the Rescue with such incredible kindness, thoughtfulness and love for animals. She goes above and beyond in her care for sick, abandoned, newborn and feral cats/ kittens.

Erie Trap and Release has very dedicated people who are truly making a difference in feral cats lives! Toni Smith is always willing to help people who have feral cats. She makes sure the cats are spayed or neutered and brought back to where they live so they can thrive
This is a wonderful non profit, and it deserves all the help it can get

I'm a Facebook fanatic and am constantly seeing posts about hurt/abandoned cats and kittens that need help or somewhere to go and Toni is always one of the first to post she is on her way. The amount of time, money, and effort she puts into saving these animals is incredible.

Toni Smith is one awesome lady and i love what they do it helps the cat and kittens and she finds good homes for the kittens and cats

Toni has a heart of gold. She has dedicated her life to helping the cats and kittens of our community!

What do you do when feral cats have kittens in an abandoned house next door? What do you do when the litter proceeds to make its home in your back yard? Where do you turn when your turned down from local non profits? Toni Smith,Erie Trap and Release, answer to the dilemma without hesitation. The kittens were trapped,neutered and released to their care giver,me.Thank you Erie Trap and Release for helping with the feral cat population.

Erie Trap and Release is truly an asset to the community. Driven to end the cycle of feral/unwanted cats, Erie Trap and Release goes above and beyond to spay/neuter and provide medical help to the unwanted cats of Erie, PA.

Toni is selfless in her desire to improve the community and end the cycle of feral/unwanted cats. She has spent hours of her time to improve the lives of the feral/unwanted cats, thereby improving Erie. Toni is an incredibly valuable asset to Erie.

Where to begin. I'll start with the one pro of this organization- when they truly are focusing on trap neuter and release (TNR) of feral cats, they are performing a wonderful service to the community. Unfortunately, that is really not the case anymore.
Taken from Erie Trap and Release's own website: "We are not a Shelter but an organization that works to Trap and Release or find homes for all cats and kittens". That's right, they are not a shelter but that is exactly what they are functioning as currently and it is a serious problem. Unfortunately things got out of hand and the owner is a cat hoarder, who truly believes she is taking amazing care of the cats. In reality, for at least the past several months (likely longer but that is all I can confirm for sure) she has kept around 20+ cats cooped up in dirty cages, with some not having the opportunity to run around, stretch, use their muscles or satisfy their hunter/playful instincts for months. That alone is cruel. They always have access to dry food as far as I know but of the many times I visited her residence (again, it's her house- not a shelter) the majority did not have access to clean water (bowls empty or water undrinkably dirty). There is not even enough litter in any of the litter boxes (which take up half of the cage anyway) to cover the bottom of the box, so cats can't properly bury their waste. I'm not sure how she decides which cats to put with which in each cage because it would be different every time, with different cats together with other cats in different cages each time I visited. So here is the huge problem. With a lack of resources to manage this many cats, a lack of knowledge about cat health, and the mentality of a hoarder who does not see the damage they are causing, these cats are all cooped up together in very unsanitary conditions. In the short 2-ish months I volunteered and donated to Erie Trap and Release, I can now confirm that a whopping 8 cats that were trapped in her cages (as opposed to TNR'ed) were diagnosed with FIP, a virus spread via feces (so the unkempt litter boxes and generally unhygienic conditions allowed this to spread like wildfire at rates far exceeding what FIP would normally be transmitted at). If you know anything about FIP, you know this is a death sentence for the cat, and a terrible death at that. Several have tested positive for feline leukemia as well, which can be easily transmitted from cat to cat in their small living quarters. How can this organization claim to be a "great" nonprofit when cats are actually dying from being forced to live in dirty cages at her house? As you would expect, this organization has been reported to the Humane Society in Erie, PA numerous times in the past and is currently under active investigation (you can call and confirm this if you'd like). The owner lied to me and said she had a permit to have this many cats at her residence but I recently found out she was questioned by the zoning ordinance in Erie, PA as well (you can only have up to 4 adult cats, so she is over that amount by about 15 at any given time). There is nothing legal or ethical about this organization. I know the owner believes she is doing her best but with no funding, severely delayed vet care (if any at all), lack of veterinary knowledge, and unsanitary conditions, these poor cats do not have a fighting chance if they get trapped in her house and contract the diseases the cats are spreading around to each other. Please do not support this "organization", as unfortunately at this point you would only be enabling an animal hoarder. It is unfortunate Erie Trap and Release is no longer functioning in the original spirit it began as, which was reducing the feral cat population via TNR.

Toni is a very nice person and good to the animals

Stay away from erie trap and release. This organization started out as intending to trap feral cats, have them neutered/spayed and vaccinated, and released to reduce the feral cat population. The owner really does love cats but she also clearly has hoarder tendencies. At some point the “release” factor of Erie Trap and release stopped happening and she has more than 20 cats living cooped up in dirty cages. There is barely enough litter in the boxes to cover the bottom and the majority of cages had no clean water to drink when I was there- either empty bowls or disgusting water. She runs entirely off of donations so cats are not taken to the vet until someone pays to adopt them. As a result, cats go for months and months without receiving any veterinary care, which is not okay for a cat that was living outside. She doesn’t understand how quickly disease can spread and doesn’t isolate anyone who is sick or take them to the vet. As a result I know of at least 3 cats that died in her cages in the past couple months alone. The cats I got from her were very sick- trapped in unhygienic cages all day long, they are passing around the same respiratory and eye infections, not to mention some of the worst flea infestations I have ever seen. When she does get donations, she uses the majority of money to pay for the Erie Trap and release van rather than on desperately needed care for the cats. She received $1000 from a charity competition and spent nearly the entire amount on her van payment, none of it to take cats to the vet. This organization started out with all the right intentions but now is an awful mess. They have been investigated by the humane society in the past for similar issues and it seems like they have headed down that path again. This organization needs to shut down ASAP before more cats die a slow death in the atrocious cage conditions.

We got our best cat lovey from here...ty so much. Could not ask for anyone better.

Although I work and help out with them, They are truly amazing, with what they do!!

Charlie, a beautiful Siberian forest cat we've fed through two bitter winters and couldn't tame enough to stay in a home we got her, though she loved to hang around on the patio with us, eat catnip, etc., and her four gorgeous kittens, born this late spring, lived in a hell=hole of a rotting, run-down house with dead animals on the grounds, and predators in the area, a racoon, coyote, fisher cat (awful creatures), and the usual fleas and ticks. We weren't able to capture her last summer when she had one kitten, so this year, in the way of ferals, the population grew to four. Five animals slated for a miserable existence and early death. Enter Erie Trap and Release, Toni and Michael. We contacted them and in three days, they drove the 23 or so miles from Erie to North East, four times, to trap these five darlings. And because of the dangerous environment momma would return to, Toni went the extra mile and found a working job for Charlie on a horse farm in Venango County where she'll hunt rodents in return for food, water, and the shelter of five barns. Feral cat heaven! It was hard to lose Charlie, but we know we did the right thing. I think Toni was as excited as we were to place her there. These good people have a passion for cats that they live out, tirelessly, from day to day, doing TNVR (Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Release), the most humane way to control the very real and serious problem of unmanaged feral populations.

Please, please -- SUPPORT THIS ORGANIZATION with your time, if you can volunteer, money, contributions of food, buying T-shirts that help fund neutering. The business is a costly one, but so needed, and only this organization in this area will come and trap ferals for you, and keep the kittens, if tameable, not euthanizing them, until they find a forever home.

Which brings me to Part II of my story. My husband and I adopted one of Charlie's kittens, named him Charley, after her, and are having the time of our lives with him. Characteristic of Siberian cats, he's the most intelligent kitten we've ever had, affectionate, obedient (he's a kitten, so this is relative), and just playful and fun. Would have loved to have taken all four kitties, but I'm retired and that wouldn't work. So please take a look on Toni's site and seriously consider one or more -- a pearl grey, white tuxedoed male and two white- tuxedoed females (I thin both are female), with black fur and creamy gold/tan stripes. They have been in their safety crate now for two months and look somewhat subdued. They want to be running about and playing, I know. We used to play with them on the patio. I couldn't attach a pic of them bc it was too big, so you only have the pic of the three of them together, but they are amidst the many pics of others that Toni has to try to help.
Please take a look. We know that little Charley knows he's been rescued and he is truly grateful, we can tell.

Thanks Toni and Michael, for all that you do!!

My experience with ETR , is that they are a loving

We had a feral momma cat drop off kittens in our garage 3 years in a row. One day we finally caught her, but with 4 adopted rescue cats already, we had no place to keep her. We called many others, but they were the only ones that would help us. Not only that, they called back within 15 minutes, clearly explained everything and set up times that were convenient for us. They came, helped us conduct a very thorough search for her latest litter, and got her fixed, vaccinated and vet checked within a week. We still have not found her latest litter, but momma cat shows up daily on our deck to beg for food. We can get close enough to see she is still nursing. When she brings her kittens to the deck, we have been instructed to give Erie Trap and Release a call so they can take care of the kittens also.

She keeps her cats n kittens in cages this can cuz brain damage to the cas thumbs down on this

Amazing group!! They came out on very short notice to rescue what we thought would be 4 kittens, and ended up leaving with 4 kittens and 3 additional cats.

Erie Trap and Release has been helping me to spay, neuter and vaccinate my overpopulation of feral cats. Five have already been to the Veterinarian. Two have been returned and the other 3 have been put up for adoption, at my request. They will be returning to take more kitties, when funds are available, as they are a nonprofit organization and depend on donations to function. Outside of a small donation that I made, (they have not once asked for any money) it has not cost me anything. Their service is much needed by country people like me, who cannot afford, or even catch some of the feral cats that are out there. The population just keeps growing. These are very caring people, doing a very necessary service, out of the kindness of their hearts and their love for animals. They are also sometimes working out of their own wallet, as they have to depend on donations to take care of costly Veterinarian bills, cat food, and litter. They are genuine angels in my book, and I would highly recommend them to everyone.

Two weeks ago Toni caught the two week old kittens of my feral cat. I did not find out about this until about a week later, she was refusing to catch the mother cat and get her spayed or return her to her kittens. It was a week long ordeal with multiple organizations involved to try and get the kittens back from Toni and with the mother cat. Toni kept saying the kittens were in immediate danger which is why she removed though when I went to the scene an examined where the kittens were I determined that they were probably in the safe spot possible. The person that had originally called her had actually begged for the kittens to be returned to the mother as soon as they found out that they were not going to take the mother to. Toni still refused. After much insistence from local organizations and the local people Tony did attempt to catch the mother cat twice all for about a maximum of six hours. One of these attempts was to track the mother cat in the dumpster, and let her boyfriend Michael slam the dumpster with a 2 x 4 sending the mother cat running away scared. There were complaints from the tenants from the apartment building about Michael's behavior, and when we did get the kittens back Michael threatened the people that receive the kittens. Needless to say the kittens are safe with the mother cat right now with a different organization and I will never suggest anyone to use Toni's organization. She's only in it for the kittens and not for the mothers. I've also heard stories about her demanding donations for her services which means she is not a nonprofit and she's more of a business. She is also lied multiple times to us about the way she runs her organization. There was just an incident when she took one day old kittens from their very socialized mother but does not claim responsibility even though the person that have the kittens said that they had to check with Toni to be able to get the mother back and they refuse to take the mother.

This organization helped me when all others couldn't in Erie Pa. They helped me trap an abandoned kitty and took him to their vet. He was raw and dug open spots on his body. They gave him shots,antibiotics,dewormed,as well as flea drops! They gave me ointment to topically apply and check on him daily. He is thriving and in less than 1 week his skin is clearing up!!! Erie trap and release is a dedicated organization that truly cares about saving lives and helping our feral population....you couldn't find more caring and giving advocates for are felines in Erie Pa. Thank you so much erie trap and release!!!!

The owner Toni, loves animals and shows it. With trap and release she really helps to stop the kitten population and rehome. If you need a kitty please adopt from her.

Erie Trap and Release traps feral, sometimes not feral, sometimes ferals that can become accustomed to people. They have these cats fixed, vetted, vaccinated, allow time to heal and be sure they are healthy for release or adoption. They do this out of love. If every community had this program, what an amazing deal of suffering that can be stopped. I am deeply thankful that Toni Smith began this here in Erie. What more can be said?????

Does amazing work and cares so much for all the kitties they help!!

Toni and her peers in this organization are truly dedicated and caring. I happily endorse their
service, Erie Trap and Release.

I love the update pictures of the cats they trap and release...and they show a high rate of furever homes for the cats I can appreciate the organization and will always support the cause I hope to do the same charity work someday

I have only known Toni for a short time... she is truly an angel and is the voice for so many cats! Her and her husband work hard and help so many... thank you so much!

I know there are other places that help cats----but I have to say that Toni and Michael of Erie Trap and release never turn anyone away---they will do everything in their power to help save a helpless, unwanted,, scared, starving cat, that would otherwise die an awful death---they go out of their way to do all they cat to save every cat they can-----they take them to vets--vaccinate, neuter, give them so, so much love --in sickness and in health--they help them find forever homes--God bless them--so many cats would be dead now if it wasn't for them---please help them everyone ---make them known--let people know they have hearts of gold--lets get together--and do all we can to help them continue and expand their wonderful gift of love for God's creatures

This is a wonderful nonprofit organization. They work very hard to help decrease the cat population with little to no funding. They trap feral cats in rain, snow and sunshine getting them spayed and/or neutered along with their shots and any other medical need they may have and then re-release them where they found them as long as it was a safe environment. The kittens and non feral cats are found a temporary home until they can find a forever home. They show every cat/kitten what it feels like to be loved and cared for and work tirelessly to keep them healthy and happy.

Erie Trap and Release is doing great work. They truly care about saving cats and kittens. I'm sure they often have to use their own money to get medical help for the felines.

I have known Toni Smith for a year now. The love for cats is unbelievable !!!!! When I would of thrown in the towel she just keeps going hoping and praying for help ! To save a animal that's true devotion ! She has helped me with 3 of my cats to be spaded and neutered. And I have adopted 2 cats from her too. Who are very loved. She has always been there for any questions I have had and has always offered to help me and everyone who I have sent her way... She is an amazing loving person who is really trying to help control the over cat population !

Erie is working hard to help as many cats and kittens as possible. They are small and put their heart and soul into getting so many spayed and neutered , then adopted when possible. They never stop, putting their own time and money into saving cats for as long as there is a need, that is why I support them! I'm not wealthy but even my small donations are appreciated and I know all the money will go to helping the cats and not to pay for professional fund raising.

Erie trap and release is wonderful and Toni is amazing at what she does and with helping stray and feral cats and kittens get home or get released if they need to be. She works to hard to give these cats a new chance at life!!! I have adopted a cat from her his name is Harley and he was a feral and after all the love and attention he needed to become a house cat she put all her time and energy into him and I couldn't thank her enough!! I ended up with the most loving and loyal cat I've ever had and to think about him ever being feral is crazy!!! So if anyone is looking for a cat or kitten please check out the cats ready for adoption !!!!

I decided to get another cat because I didn't have enough(5). I can't drive anymore due to health issues, and Toni and Michael delivered Fluffy Tail to me in a snow storm. It took him a while to fit in, but he's an awesome addition to my furry family. I highly recommend if you are looking for a new addition to consider getting him or her from Erie TNR.

I started working for an office/warehouse on the lower west side four or five years ago. Before this job I really had no idea feral and stray cats could get this bad in a city like Erie. You'd expect this level of disaster in Detroit or after Hurricane Katrina...or out in the country, maybe.

Needles to say as an animal lover it was extremely depressing. People would get evicted or the houses would be condemned and people would just leave their animals behind. The problem is the animals would stay in or around the houses, and multiply like crazy, but then the city (or the weather) would demolish the house and then 10-15 cats would have no shelter with little warning. Cats would fight for territory, hurt themselves, get hit by cars in a frantic bid to find a new hang out....I can not stress how awful it was to sit in an office and watch this happen.

Employees and I would throw money at the problem, we'd take them to vets, to the ANNA clinics, we'd trap kittens and OA would take them. It was just a never ending situation, even with my boss and a few neighbors pitching in.

Finally after many many personal hours and resources spent by everyone here, we were JUST about to have our first kitten free summer in five years. (when you consider we were having 10-40 a year, and trying to trap, socialize, fix, a home every kitten.....that's alot of work) someone drove by and dumped a pregnant cat at the end of February.

No one would take her, I personally didn't have the resources to deal with it, and neither did anyone else at work. The cycle was going to start all over again, and it pretty much seemed all for nothing. There's really now way to describe the failure of 4 years of hard work plus at least a thousand dollars of my own personal money......all down the drain.

Out of desperation I was willing to call anyone I could google. When Toni said she'd take the cat if I could trap it I almost hung up expecting that she said no. I was like, I'm sorry, did you say yes? You heard I said she was pregnant, right? Toni said yes she understood.

I was so excited I parked all day for two days until I caught her, ready to pop at any minute it seemed, and dropped her off at Toni's house. Employees chipped in for the cost of the eventual spay.



THIS IS OUR FIRST KITTEN FREE SPRING/SUMMER IN FIVE YEARS!


I have been in Toni's house, and yes she has a bunch of cats in cages, and there's a certain smell to that no matter what you do. The cats are all well cared for and litter boxes clean. If she's ended up with one cats too many over the years, oh well. I understand and appreciate the laws here, but in our case....one cat would have been the start of another horrible expensive circle of violence where 20-20\30 animals suffer and die. It's not like she hordes them, she's doing the best she can in an overburdened system. Toni is very knowledgeable and works hard to get these cats homes so she can go out and save more.


As far as cats in dark basements, I can't speak to that. However in my experience in T&R feral cats can stroke out if caged for a prolonged period of time. I have often left ferals alone in isolation like that until I transport them or until they can be released. Very few people actually understand ferals, they're not just strays, but legitimately wild animals who want no human contact at all. sometimes when you see a cat that's feral, it's hard to understand they can't just be magically converted to a housecat.

what Toni & Mike do........it's a crappy job necessary to stop the problem. Not that shelters and organizations like ANNA or Orphan Angels could be called "glamorous", but they do get more PR, have more facilities at their disposal, and have more support than ETR, and what Toni does is just as equally as important as the work they do.

Our neighborhood would certainly be in very sad shape if not for her.

Erie trap and release are amazing. They work tirelessly to help cats. Not just with spay and neuter but with vaccination and finding them homes. We need more people like Toni❤❤

I am so happy to see that something is being done to take care of the feral cat population. Some cats cannot be tamed but many kittens are being tamed and brought into loving families and enjoying a better life. The ones that are not tamable are given the freedom to roam and live in a safe place. Bless you for helping those that cannot help themselves.

I have known Toni and her husband for over a year now and they do a great job at rescueing, and caring for these kittens. They do get donations, but nearly enough to help them with the kittens. So they take money out of their own pockets to provide for the kittens they rescue, and to get them spayed or neutered before they go to their forever home. I am at their home all the time and I have never seen these kittens in any bad conditions, or being mistreated in any way. They are not out to make money what so ever! They do this out of the goodness of their hearts so these animals are not just roaming around the streets getting hurt. They nurse them back to health and find them good forever homes.

I have recently joined the board for Erie Trap and Release as Treasurer. I'm pleased to be able to offer my expertise because Erie Trap and Release is serving a need in Erie County that desperately needs attention. We have several very worthwhile animal welfare organizations in the county that are rescue and adoption focused in mission, but Erie Trap and Release is the only one that I am aware of with a primary mission of Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR). Toni Smith and Mike Jones do find homes for adoptable cats that clearly have no owner, but the primary focus is TNR.

I have reviewed all of the financial records for Erie Trap and Release and I would like to share the information I found. From January 1, 2014 to April 9, 2015 Erie Trap and Release was able to get 42 females spayed and 61 males neutered. In addition, the cats were vaccinated against rabies, distemper and FVRCP, and additionally there were treatments for injuries and illnesses some of the cats had sustained due to living outdoors with no veterinary care. The total cost for the veterinary bills was $10,007.75. In addition, the cats recuperate with Toni after their surgeries so the organization also expended $4,128.68 for food, litter, supplements, fuel for the van used to transport the cats and supplies for trapping and housing the cats during recuperation. This totals $14,136.43. Their donations and revenue total up to the March 2015 checking account statement was $14,048.80. So, I believe the review that quoted Mike as "seeing dollar signs" was based on a misunderstanding; Mike was worried about being able to continue operating and the dollar signs he saw were for expenses, not income; these people are not in it for the money.

If the 42 females that were spayed as a result of Erie Trap and Release's efforts had each had a litter of 4 kittens (and this is a low estimate-statistics show a female can have up to 12 kittens in one year), there would have been 168 new homeless cats in Erie County! And it is well established through scientific study that there is an exponential effect to reproduction by non-spayed female cats.

According to Alley Cat Allies:

"Trap-Neuter-Return is the humane and effective approach for stray and feral cats. Now in practice for decades in the US after being proven in Europe, scientific studies show that Trap-Neuter-Return improves the lives of feral cats, improves their relationships with the people who live near them, and decreases the size of colonies over time." (See http://www.alleycatallies.org/ for more excellent information about the positive effects of TNR)

Erie Trap and Release was established in May 2013 and are not investigated annually. There was one complaint made in the summer of 2014 that primarily concerned the number of cats being sheltered that was addressed to the complete satisfaction of the Humane Society of Northwestern Pennsylvania and they have not been back.

I have been to Toni and Mike's home-there are no urine and feces on the floor and the few cats currently being housed each have their own litter box on the home's main floor and their own 3' by 3' enclosure for when they do have to be confined, a much bigger space than what I've seen in shelters due to their space constraints.

I would not be involved with this organization if cats were being abused or funds were being misused. I believe strongly in doing something about the feral and stray population as I am personally dealing with it on my own property. Because of Erie Trap and Release, my feral females are all spayed and I fully expect that I will have no kittens to worry about this year. If Erie Trap and Release is fully supported by our community and granting organizations, not only will feral and stray cats and our neighborhoods be helped, but there will be a positive impact on the other animal welfare organizations in Erie County. As feral colonies decrease over time, fewer and fewer will be brought to shelters. Then those shelters can find homes for adoptable animals.

All of Erie County's animal welfare organizations have important roles to play in the effort to solve the problem of unwanted animals. Please support Erie Trap and Release, a greatly needed and very worthwhile organization created by two people who are passionate about this issue.

Thank you!
Cynthia M. Duda
Director of Advancement Services, Gannon University
Volunteer Treasurer for Erie Trap and Release

I met Toni and worked with her for about a year. At first I really thought that she was a great person to help the feral and stray cats. Which I guess that she does the best that she knows how. She doesn't do or follow the rules of a proper rescue and is investigated yearly by animal control for she is more of a cat hoarder than a rescue. She and Mike have this thing of hitting it big and she even said that he just see's dollar signs. So my question is why would he see dollar signs??? I have been to her house inside many many times in the past and was very upset how the cats lived with feces everywhere and she had 15 cats living in her basement in the dark with no human contact but once a day she does go down and feed them and clean litter boxes. At that time she must of had 60 cats living in her house. After that I parted ways. So beware that's all I can suggest!!!!

I got my beautiful twin boys from them. This is an awesome organization with an awesome cause! They are wonderful people who's passion for their cause just oozes from them! They took the time to explain my kitties stories and their individual personality. I highly suggest anyone who's looking to adopt a kitty, to go to them!

I have had so many cats and kittens dropped off at my home and usually can care for them. But I had a mamma all of a sudden after 3 to 4 weeks decide that she wasn't going to care for her kittens. After trying all day to get her to care for them it was clear it wasn't happening. I messaged Toni on her Facebook page and told her my dilemma, she never even hesitated, she took them in and is caring for them. I can't tell you how much that is appreciated. Her and her husband are doing some much needed work, and I could tell after spending about a half hour with her that she also loves what she does.

words cannot express how much I appreciate all the hard work that the angels of erie trap and release do to keep the furry children safe, warm and most importantly loved. Toni Smith is a true angel who definitely deserves the title for her undying devotion to such a worthy case every day. She rarely gives up because she gives it her all that she has with not even a blink she is always there to help others. She deserves a special space in heaven she is like a living St. Francis who look after all the animals and for these reasons and so much more I nominate Erie Trap and Release they truly deserve it and then some!!!

This is a wonderful thing they are doing. All animals deserve a chance to live and have a family who loves them. You can tell That Toni really cares about these animals and wants them all to find their forever home. We got a great kitty and he will be part of our family forever.

Honest animal lovers here. Great experience start to finish. Kind and helpful. Would definitely recommend. They even met us half way to pick up our fur baby.

Erie is in great need of Erie Trap & Release, there is a large number of Feral Cats in Erie County and surrounding areas that will benefit greatly from this organization. Trap-Neuter and Return is the only humane way to take care of this problem. Only Adult cats are returned or relocated to safe Feral populations after they are spayed and neutered, The kittens will be adopted out to good homes. This will obviously cut down on the kittens being produced and help combat the problem. You can help by Volunteering and Donating. Thanks Erie Trap & Release for caring for these beautiful creatures,

~Holly Schwab Design

We got our sweet kitten Jinxie from Toni and Michael. They met us halfway between their home and ours. We live in Toledo, Ohio. I wouldn't have my precious kitten if Erie trap and release didn't exist. Keep up the good work guys, you have my support always!

I love animals and helping spay and neuter animals will cut down on the problem of too many animals, I have worked in the veterinary field for 3 years+ and this women is doing amazing things for sure, I donate when I can and I don't know why anyone would put her down for the amazing work she is doing bless her.

Toni is one big hearted woman!!
Erie Trap and Release has done wonderful work in helping care for and spay and neuter strays and ferals. Keep up the good work!!

THE WORK THEY DO IS FANTASTIC, AND ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP IF THEY CAN

This organization helps the many strays in the area but trapping, neutering/spaying, and then releasing. Plus the continue to feed the cats that they fix and release. Their work Is priceless and they continue by educating the community the importance of spaying and neutering their pets.