The Butler County Humane Society is urging caution on the part of the public wanting to help a group of feral cats at a Fort Deposit gas station.

“Can you help these Fort Deposit felines?” was the question posted on the Butler County Humane Society blog site about a group of feral black cats that regularly hangout around the Petro Plus gas station off Interstate 65 in Fort Deposit.

According to the blog site, Greenville native and “friend to the furry,” Ryan Welch Anderson posted photos taken in Fort Deposit of several “very hungry felines who appear to have no home and are forced to rely on the kindness of strangers.”

Anderson was quoted to say, “The cold and starving black kittens at the Fort Deposit exit gas station were literally crouched in different places in the parking lot licking the cold bare pavement.”

The blog stated that the Butler County Humane Society has “been blessed with some wonderful members from surrounding counties, including Lowndes.” And it urged, “If there is someone out there who would take one or more of these beautiful black felines into their hearts and homes, please consider it.”

According to Petro Plus employee S. Reddy the cats are “wild.”

He said the cats are fed by employees of the gas station, owned by Russell Petroleum, and by people who buy food for them.

Reddy said the gas station would have “no problem” if someone wanted to take the cats.

However, Angie Long, secretary and public relations contact for the Butler County Humane Society, urged the public to use caution and suggested trapping crates might be the best way to catch them.

“Obviously, we who are pet owners and animal lovers can’t help wanting to see these beautiful cats cared for and loved,” Long said. “However, since they are feral and, to our knowledge, have never been seen by a vet, we believe it’s best to exercise caution when approaching the animals for everyone’s safety. Trap-Neuter-Return crates will likely be the best means of catching them.”

She said BCHS members are trying to work out a plan to do so after the first of the year with the station owners’ permission.