Shown, from left, are Kosciusko Community Trap Neuter Release Vice President Cindy Lursen and President Nicole Wallick. InkFreeNews photo by Brianna Pitts.

By Brianna Pitts
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Nicole Wallick and Cindy Lursen are the faces behind the Kosciusko Community Trap Neuter Release program, also known as KCTNR.

KCTNR President Wallick started this program alongside Heidi Blake after failed attempts to start one at an animal shelter.

“The shelters did not have the resources to fulfill this need,” said Wallick, “… and I knew something had to be done.” Together, Wallick and Blake applied to become a 501c3 Nonprofit in July 2020 and their request was granted within two weeks.

Wallick spoke of her hesitation about committing to this nonprofit because she had a full-time job as a drug addiction counselor. She shared how she has always had a passion for cats and all animals, which is what led to her seeking a solution for this problem and how she could be a part of the change. “I was scared to start this. I knew it was going to be a lot to take on… and it has been, but someone needed to do it,” said Wallick.

“The need has always been in the community, what we need are volunteers and funding to help us continue helping this community,” expressed both Lursen and Wallick.

Wallick grew up in Seymour and attended college at Purdue University and graduate school at Ohio State University. She moved to Kosciusko County in 2004 when her husband received a job offer. For 13 years, Wallick worked for the probation department in Kosciusko County as a licensed drug addiction counselor and fostered animals on the side. About three years ago, Wallick transitioned into a new job, counseling via telehealth at Groups Recover Together, an opioid use disorder facility using medication-assisted treatment to help addicts. She said being able to work from home has helped her enormously with maintaining the TNR nonprofit.

Lursen grew up in both Washington state and Indiana until eighth grade when her family moved to Kosciusko County permanently and has lived here for over 40 years. Lursen drove a school bus for many years and raised her family. Now, she is an empty nester, working at Orthopediatrics in the finance department and is the vice-president of KCTNR.

“I was drawn to the KCTNR program about a year ago because I like to feel needed and there is so much need when it comes to these cats,” said Lursen. “Nicole and I make such a great team and have already made a huge difference in this community.”

Through this nonprofit, Wallick has been able to prevent an estimated 165,645 surplus of cats in Kosciusko County.

Lursen shared she had over 50 cats from a single property in her barn waiting to be taken to Fort Wayne to get fixed. Photo provided by KCTNR.