The Feral Fix Challenge invites veterinarians around the world to get involved with trap-neuter-return (TNR) by providing low-cost or free spay/neuter and rabies vaccination for free-roaming cats.
MOUNT RAINIER, Md., March 7, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Alley Cat Rescue, Inc. announced today the start of the Feral Fix Challenge, an annual global event that brings veterinarians and communities together to save cats' lives. The Challenge invites veterinarians to get involved with trap-neuter-return (TNR) by providing low-cost or free spay/neuter and rabies vaccination for free-roaming cats. Now in its twelfth year, the Challenge has resulted in the spay and neuter of over 250,000 cats by more than 1,700 veterinary participants. Vets across all 50 U.S. states, Antigua, Canada, Croatia, Dubai, Greece, India, Israel, Japan, Nicaragua, South Africa, and the U.K. have taken part in the Challenge.
It is estimated that around 500,000 cats are euthanized in U.S. shelters every year, many of whom are newborn kittens or unsocialized free-roaming cats. The two go hand in hand, as 80% of kittens entering shelters each year are born to free-roaming cats. Both groups often require a significant investment of time and resources beyond a shelter's ability before they are adoptable. The influx of kittens during the spring and summer months, also known as Kitten Season, stretches shelters to the breaking point, leading to euthanasia of healthy cats and kittens simply to make room for each day's new arrivals.
"The participation of veterinarians around the globe is very important to achieving our ultimate goal, which is the sterilization of all community cats," said Louise Holton, Alley Cat Rescue president and founder. "This process is the only way to reduce the population of outdoor cats; killing them, bedsides being inhumane, simply does not work as studies show new cats will enter vacated areas and breed until the number of cats there is back to the same level as before or even higher."
Vets can sign up to participate at http://www.saveacat.org/the-feral-fix.html and pledge to provide free or low-cost spay/neuter services to as many free-roaming cats as is feasible for their individual practices.
Individuals are also encouraged to visit this page or send an Email to [email protected] to request Alley Cat Rescue send their vet an invitation to participate.
Alley Cat Rescue is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to the welfare of all cats: domestic, stray, abandoned, and feral. ACR advocates for humane nonlethal control of feral cats. For more information, visit their website http://www.saveacat.org.
Media Contact
Debbie Holzer, Alley Cat Rescue, Inc., 8189274130, [email protected]
SOURCE Alley Cat Rescue, Inc.
![](https://rt.prnewswire.com/rt.gif?NewsItemId=UN34160&Transmission_Id=202303070900PR_NEWS_USPR_____UN34160&DateId=20230307)
Share this article