Submitted Photo The Animal Empowerment League will be hosting Christmas Pet Photos with Three Ducks Photography from Dec. 5-7.

The Animal Empowerment League has announced the commencement of its fifth annual silent auction fundraiser to support its trap-neuter-return program, which will run from Sunday, Nov. 30-Saturday, Dec. 6.

Animal Empowerment League Executive Director Kasey Breuer said the organization has raised $7,500 for its TNR since 2021, leading to the return of 270 cats.

TNR programs are a human method for managing the populations of outdoor cats by having them trapped, spayed or neutered before they are returned to the wild. Proponents argue such programs help stabilize and gradually reduce the population of feral cats.

“We haven’t met it yet, but our goal is to raise $10,000 or more for our TNR efforts. Since we have such a heavy focus on outdoor cats it is just something to help us get through the winter months,” Breuer said. “We’re currently on an intake hold because our funds are too low. We have to take care of the animals we do have before we can bring more in.”

Breuer said it costs AEL around $250 on average for every cat that is processed by the TNR program, and the organization is currently swamped adopting out a litter of 14 barn kittens rescued near Burlington. Breuer clarified that while the number of intakes AEL can take on at any one time is entirely based on the funding it has available, it will provide traps to individuals as long as they have a home or destination lined up ahead of time.

The AEL is seeking donations for the fundraiser, as well as auction items or baskets for a silent auction.

Christmas pet photos with Three Ducks Photography will be available from Dec. 5-7, and Cat TNR Trivia will be held virtually on AEL social media on Dec. 6, at 7 p.m. The AEL will have an open house at the rescue on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 3-6 p.m. to give members of the public a chance to visit the animals and fill up each of the animal’s stockings.