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If you or someone
you know is feeding Feral cats ~ please call
"Payson Friends of Ferals" at (928) 474-1836.
We will help you
"trap, spay/neuter, and return them. It is the
only statically proven, humane method to control and
reduce the numbers of these cats.
Remember one
un-spayed female and her off spring left un-neutered
or un-spayed, in just 7 years, can account for 400,000
cats. Let's all be part
of the solution!
We are working hard at reducing the
number of ferals in Rim Country. We have put approximately 1000
cats through the program so far, and positive results have been noticed already – we
euthanized approximately 200 less cats this year than last (fiscal) year. We
just received 17 new traps to work with as well. This has begun reducing the number of
unwanted kittens that go through the Payson Humane
Society. Domesticating them is time consuming,
expensive and not always effective. Feral cats are
often blamed for the depletion of natural wildlife
but studies have proven this to be untrue. The main
cause is related to man-made structures, chemical
pollution, pesticides and drought – not feral cats!
The TNR program
is the only statistically proven humane method of
reducing unwanted lives and its working! If you are
feeding any feral cats or know someone who is, we
encourage you to participate. Here’s how it works:
-
Assuming you
have been feeding the cat(s), notify us and we
will provide you with a humane cat trap to start
the process.
-
After baiting
and setting your traps in the area they are
normally fed, wait for your hungry cat to enter
and become trapped. After the cat is trapped,
cover her with a towel to help keep her calm.
-
Bring the
cat(s) in the traps to the clinic the same day
if possible, keeping the trip there as calm and
quiet as possible.
-
The clinic
will then spay or neuter the cat and call you to
arrange pick up to be released back in the same
area she was trapped. You’ve successfully
stopped the cycle of breeding and this cat will
live out her days with dignity.
There is a wealth
of information on this effective program at
www.AlleyCat.org or you may call us at (928)
468-1143 or (928) 474-1836 and we can provide you
literature to review. It takes all of us to get
involved and if we do, we can and will start seeing
a difference.
REMEMBER ...
T - R - N
TRAP:
Humanely trap all the feral cats in a colony.
NEUTER: Take the
cats in their traps to the vet to be spayed or
neutered, ear-tipped, vaccinated, and treated as
needed.
RETURN: Take the
cats back to the established outdoor area. Provide
food and water daily, make a simple shelter, and
keep an eye on their well-being.
Note: We
are also receiving a lot of support in the Gisela
and Tonto Basin areas and are trying to get those
populations under control as well. |
