Lee County will be celebrating National Feral Cat Day on October 16th along with hundreds of other communities across the country. Alley Cat Allies launched National Feral Cat Day® in 2001 to raise awareness about feral cats, promote Trap-Neuter-Return, and recognize the millions of compassionate Americans who care for them. The theme for this year’s National Feral Cat Day® is “Architects of Change for Cats: Building blueprints for humane communities.”
Lee County approved its TNR program in 2009 and Gov. Rick Scott recently signed a bill that allows volunteers and caretakers to trap, sterilize, and feed homeless felines. For information or to make an appointment for Lee County’s free program for feral cats contact the clinic at spay@leegov.com or call 239-533-9234.
University of Florida Veterinarians estimate there are currently 99,000 feral community cats living in Lee County. The agency’s previous program of trap, euthanize, and eradicate proved to be ineffective in reducing the feral cat population as prolific breeding continued to escalate. Trap, Neuter, and Return has proven to be a more humane, non-lethal and successful program to reduce the feral community cat population. Sterilization ends the breeding cycle and the nuisance behaviors such as mating, yowling, fighting, and roaming. The TNR program, available through LCDAS, ensures that people and feral cats can live together peacefully.
LCDAS is enlisting the support and dedication of the local community to assist with the year-round trapping and transport for sterilization of feral cats that residents currently may be feeding. Interested residents should contact LCDAS at 533-9234.
The community’s support and dedication will greatly improve the lives of many cats and help to ensure a safe and compassion community for Lee County. For more information about these programs and services please log onto www.leelostpets.com.