Feral cat waiting for surgery

from the press release

Tucson, Ariz. – Each year, the Humane Society of Southern Arizona spays or neuters hundreds of feral cats in an effort to decrease the population of homeless felines. Where in the past feral cats would have been euthanized, the HSSA now approaches this problem with a more humane outlook.

National Feral Cat Day was created 10 years ago to promote awareness and proper care of feral cats. The HSSA is doing its part in helping to control the feral cat population in our community through its Trap Neuter and Return program (TNR). The Humane Society of Southern Arizona TNR program focuses on spaying or neutering feral cats to keep population under control. The cats are brought to the HSSA by concerned citizens, who want to improve the health of the population, and prevent future generations of homeless cats.

Feral Cats are cats that have been born in the wild and have not been domesticated. They are afraid of people; you cannot hold them or pet them and they must be caught using a humane trap that you can rent from a local feed store.

There are more than 100,000 feral cats in Pima County, and pair of breeding cats, which can have two or more litters per year, has the potential to produce 420,000 offspring over seven years.

The HSSA’s TNR program works with a colony caretakers who humanely trap feral cats and bring them to the HSSA Spay & Neuter Clinic to be sterilized and vaccinated. The feral cats are then returned back into the community. The HSSA TNR program is funded through grants and private donations, and results in approximately 100 TNR surgeries each month. The program is always in need of funding.Feral cats are accepted for surgery every week, Monday through Saturday, at the Spay & Neuter Clinic, 3450 N. Kelvin Blvd. Trapped feral cats can be brought in to our clinic between 8 and 8:30 am.  Cats must be in traps; feral cats in cardboard or plastic carriers will not be accepted. For more information on the TNR program or to donate, contact the TNR coordinator at 321-3704 ext. 140.

Chester had an important job

Animal Welfare Alliance of Southern Arizona (AWASA) is proud to present a workshop on the options available for Trap Neuter Release (TNR) of feral cats in Tucson and surrounding communities.

The Tuesday March 8th meeting will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Ward 6 office located at 3202 E. 1st Street (1 block south of Speedway/1 block east of Country Club). Use the rear door to enter.

The panel includes:

–Jessica Shuman — Tucson Cares representing NKKA Trap Depot
–Monica St. Claire — Hermitage Cat Shelter
–Jackie De Guise — Humane Society of Southern Arizona Clinic
–Cindy James — Cochise County Humane Society
–Patti Hogan — Paws Patrol

After all presentations, you may ask questions to the panel.

Feral cats in Pima and surrounding counties are a huge problem especially in some neighborhoods. Learn about the various TNR programs and options.

(Photo is courtesy of Diana Hansen. Chester the Cat belonged to Jean Rettus. Chester was used as a cat tester. Before greyhounds go to foster or adoptive homes, they are tested for cat tolerance. Chester lived a long and lovely life.)