On Friday, April 8th, the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF) presented a complimentary Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Day as part of the Shelter’s new Advo-Cats Program. Focusing on Southampton Township, as well as areas just outside like Riverhead and Moriches, volunteers and Southampton Animal Shelter employees collected a total of 62 cats.
 |
|
Linda Goldsmith, and Mobile Clinic Coordinator, Laura Lennon-Andrews, register feral cats. (Courtesy Photo) |
Advo-Cats is a Trap Neuter Release (TNR) program that humanely traps feral cats and then fixes them, ear tips the animals for identification, vaccinates the felines and then releases them back into the wild. To ensure the day went off without a hitch, SASF clinic staff graciously volunteered their time, and some of the Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Day’s costs were offset by an anonymous donation. SASF created the program in an effort to assist with the growing feral cat population by educating the community on the importance of sterilization and by performing spay and neuter services. Advo-Cats is modeled after the universal TNR programs and also provides medical services to help keep the area’s feral cat community healthy.
“Spaying and neutering is important especially for those pet owners who allow their un-neutered pets outside to roam,” shared Advo-Cats Administrator, Linda Goldsmith. “We are in need of donations and sponsors in order to continue our work.”
Overall, the event was a success as 32 of the cats in the group were female. If those animals had not been spayed, just one of those females and her first round of offspring could have theoretically produced over 160 cats within a year.
Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation is located at 102 Old Riverhead Road West in Hampton Bays. To become a volunteer for the Advo-Cats Program, contact Linda at 632-728-7387 ext. 223. For more information, visit www.southamptonanimalshelter.com.
