Four animal welfare organizations on eastern Long Island announced that they
are teaming up to conduct a mass trapping for community (feral) cats on Sunday, November 18th, 2012. The four participating organizations include: Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons, Inc., Bideawee, Kent Animal Shelter and the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation.
Calling it “The Big Fix” the goal of the day is to get 80 cats neutered and vaccinated as part of an ongoing TNR (trap/neuter/return) program that each organization endorses.
A veterinarian and a team of volunteers will be stationed at each facility to process the cats. The treatment for each cat will include neutering, vaccination against rabies and distemper and an ear tip to identify the cat in the future. Volunteer trappers will trap the cats at colonies in East Hampton, Southampton and Riverhead Towns, and bring them to the nearest facility for treatment.
TNR is the nationally recognized, humane way to control community cats. Neutered cats in managed colonies are healthy and no longer reproducing. Objectionable behavior such as spraying and yowling cease after neutering. Over time, the managed colony decreases in size until all the cats have passed on.
Funding for the Big Fix is being privately funded by each organization. Pam Green, Executive Director of the Kent Animal Shelter commented “Our funding for this important project is being provided by a grant from PetSmart Charities. Kent will work closely with S.A.V.E.S. to spay and neuter feral cats in several locations in the Riverhead community.”
Anyone with knowledge of an unmanaged colony of cats is encouraged to call Rita Del Rey, The Operation Cat Coordinator for the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons for information on how to participate in the Big Fix. Rita@arfhamptons.org or call 631-537-0400 x210.
Donald Bambrick, the Animal Shelter Supervisor for Southampton Town noted that “TNR is the official policy of the Town of Southampton for feral cats. With
cat and kitten numbers at capacity at our shelter, TNR is important to keep feral cats and their offspring out of the shelter”.
Nancy Taylor, the Executive Director of Bideawee commented that “Bideawee is thrilled to be involved in the Big Fix. We look forward to a successful day.”
The following veterinarians will be heading up the surgical teams: Dr. Sarah Alward for ARF, Dr. Teri Meekins for Southampton Shelter, Dr. Melissa Young for Bideawee and Dr. John Berger for Kent.
