Vet technician Sammy Skatula returns a cat to its crate following surgery Thursday at a mobile clinic arranged by the Community Cat Network.

Volunteers and a veterinary team arranged by the Community Cat Network — an area nonprofit — took up residence in the Butler City Farmers' Market building Thursday to treat stray cats and those owned by low income residents in and around Butler's Island neighborhood.

“We wanted to do it here because it is centrally located,” organization founder Colleen Hofstetter said of the partially grant-funded program.

The group spayed or neutered a total of 36 cats and kittens, assisted by veterinarian Karen Phillips of Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary in Wexford.“The problem is so overwhelming,” Hofstetter said, describing the need to treat cats and help reduce the stray population in the region. “It's a community problem and needs a community solution.”She said she has a need for volunteers to continue to help with future clinics. This was funded by a grant through Penny Fix and funds provided by the network.

The group offers monthly clinics, a number of which take place at the fire hall in Herman. The primary provider is Fix'n Wag'n, a nonprofit group that provides low-cost spay, neuter and vaccine services.In addition to spaying and neutering, cats are also tested for a number of other health conditions, including feline leukemia.The Community Cat Network was founded in 2019 and works with other rescue groups in the area.

A cat waits in its cage following a vet’s visit at the Butler City Farmers’ Market Thursday. Organizers from the Community Cat Network arranged a free clinic day to treat cats.

Cats waiting to be released or picked up by their owner following spay, neutering and other vet testing through the Community Cat Network Thursday at the Butler City Farmers Market. Seb Foltz/