Thirty-two thousand dollars can go along way in helping feral cats — that's how much the in Wainscott has secured for that endeavor.
On Wednesday, ARF Hamptons announced that it successfully met a 2 to 1 challenge grant to increase the amount of food purchased for ARF's Operation Cat program, which humanely reduces the growing number of homeless, feral and stray cats.
The Drukier Family Foundation pledged $18,000 if ARF could raise $9,000 by September — and the organization exceeded the goal, raising $14,000.
Volunteers provide food, water and shelter for over 1,000 cat colonies.
"All the funds raised will fund cat food that is carefully distributed to Operation Cat Volunteers who monitor and feed colonies of community cats," a statement from ARF read. "ARF’s Operation Cat program is one of the most successful community cat programs in the country and as a result of 15 years of providing trap/neuter/return services the number of kittens born in the wild are declining."
According to ARF, over 15,000 feral cats from Westhampton Beach to Montauk have been altered.
They are trapped and brought to the Adoption Center or to a local veterinarian where they are altered and vaccinated. They are then released back to their colony. A notch in one of the cat's ears helps to ensure that it is not trapped again.
