NYC ANIMAL WELFARE GROUPS BAND TOGETHER FOR INAUGURAL NATIONAL FERAL CAT SUMMIT

“Groundbreaking Gathering Brings Together Leaders In Trap-Neuter-Return”


(NEW YORK, NY) October 4, 2004 – In an effort to humanely manage the exploding population of stray and feral cats in the United States, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) along with Neighborhood Cats and In Defense of Animals (IDA) is bringing together Trap-Neuter-Return activists from some of the most successful programs in the country to share strategies on this national epidemic. Estimates on the number of feral cats in New York City alone run from tens to hundreds of thousands, however, the overpopulation of feral cats is an issue in communities nationwide. Representatives from shelters, animal control, feral cat rescue groups and colony caretakers will attend this sold out summit on October 16th in New York City, and will travel from 25 states, as well as Canada and the Galapagos Islands.

“We are thrilled to be a part of the first national summit on feral cats,” said Gail Buchwald, Vice President of ASPCA Cares. “It is imperative that we share strategies that have proved effective in managing feral cat colonies in a humane manner.”

The National Feral Cat Summit consists of lectures and workshops presented by Ed Boks, Executive Director of NYC Animal Care & Control, Gail Buchwald, Vice President of ASPCA Cares, Valerie Sicignano, Director of Companion Animal Outreach, NYC In Defense of Animals, Bryan Kortis, Executive Director of Neighborhood Cats, and many more. The one-day conference will focus on the practical application of Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), which involves trapping cats in a colony, getting them neutered, returning them to their territory and then providing food and shelter. Experience has shown TNR is the only method that reduces street cat populations with long-term results, thus lowering euthanasia rates.

Spaying and neutering are essential to reducing the number of homeless animals. Cats are able to reproduce as young as 5-6 months of age, and may breed twice per year. As a result, a single pair of cats may result in a population as high as 1,280 in two years. Simply removing cats does not solve the problem because the remaining food source will attract other cats, who will move in from nearby areas and breed, thereby beginning the cycle.

“The National Feral Cat Summit will yield successful, cost-effective and humane results in hundreds of communities across the country,” said the events producer, Valerie Sicignano of NYC In Defense of Animals. “Attendees will take materials home to train their staff and volunteers who will in turn go on to train the public.”

All attendees will receive the “Neighborhood Cats TNR Kit” which contains videos, manuals and other necessary information needed to start or improve upon a shelter or community TNR program. The National Feral Cat Summit will take place on Saturday, October 16th at the SLC Conference Center in New York City.

Sponsors of The National Feral Cat Summit are:

PETsMART, PETCO Foundation, Maricopa County Animal Care & Control, Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, NYC Animal Care & Control of New York City, and Humane Society of New York

For more summit information, program and the registration form, please visit http://www.idausa.org/catsummit.html