New Community Hotline for Feral Cats: 510-563-4635

The East Bay SPCA now providing Alameda and Contra Costa County residents feral cat trap rentals and training, and free feral surgeries.

Oakland, CA (PRWEB) April 14, 2006 -- The East Bay SPCA is now providing Contra Costa and Alameda County residents no-cost feral cat trap rental and no-cost spay and neuter surgeries to help reduce the number of homeless cats in the East Bay. Traps and surgeries will be offered at no cost, by referral only, through both of the East Bay SPCA shelters, located in Oakland and in Dublin. Vaccinations and testing will also be provided for a small fee.

“Feral cats, and their offspring, make up more than two-thirds of the homeless pets euthanized in our community’s public shelters,” said Gary Templin, President of the East Bay SPCA. “While we have seen great progress in reducing the number of homeless dogs, feral cats continue to increase, which increases the overall homeless cat population.”

Feral cats, and their offspring, make up more than two-thirds of the homeless pets euthanized in our community’s public shelters

While we have seen great progress in reducing the number of homeless dogs, feral cats continue to increase, which increases the overall homeless cat population.

Trap - Neuter - Return

Since no one owns feral cats, most of which have been born and lived outside their whole lives, finding people willing to trap them and pay for spay and neuter surgery to reduce their population, is difficult. However, left unaltered, homeless cats are responsible for nearly all of the kittens that wind up in public shelters. Studies have shown that simply trapping and removing the cats does not, over time, decrease the feral population, but actually allows it to increase. However, trapping, then altering the cats, and returning them to their colony -- called "Trap - Neuter - Return" -- is considered one of the primary long-term solutions to reducing feral cat communities.

Residents of Alameda or Contra Costa County can call 510-563-4635 and leave a request for assistance. Staff and volunteers will return phone inquiries, make free rental traps available (with a refundable deposit) and arrange for no cost spay and neuter surgery for residents willing to trap and return the cats. Volunteers wishing to be trained as Hot Line Volunteers are encouraged to visit www.eastbayspca.org/volunteer.

For more information call 510-563-4635 or visit: www.eastbayspca.org/resources.

The East Bay SPCA includes two shelters and three clinics in Alameda County, including the Oakland SPCA and the Tri-Valley SPCA in Dublin. Founded in 1874, the East Bay SPCA is dedicated to ending the euthanasia of adoptable dogs and cats in our community. The East Bay SPCA is non-profit organization and receives no government funding or funding from any national humane organization. For more information, visit www.eastbayspca.org.

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