New Workshop to Meet Expanding Need for TNR Training

For Immediate Release: July 10, 2014
Contact: JOHNNIE SIMPSON, [email protected] or (240) 482-3895

BETHESDA, MD Community cats are just thatpart of the community. They are alley cats, street cats, and stray cats. Many individuals care about these cats and feed themand the next step should be to become trained in trap-neuter-return (TNR) to have the tools to get the cats spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and ear-tipped, and then returned to their outdoor home.

In New York City, the resources for community cat caregivers are growing.  Alley Cat Allies, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®), and the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals® have joined forces to create a new in-person workshop and online course, with a comprehensive guide and educational videos. These workshops and online course will begin in July, and the goal is to offer workshops in all five NYC boroughs by the end of 2014.

Individuals who attend a workshop or complete the online course and become certified can have access to the ASPCA’s free or low-cost spay/neuter clinic, trap loans, transportation of cats to and from spay/neuter clinics, and more. They also will receive a copy of the Guide to Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and Colony Management.

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and Colony Management Workshop teaches individuals how to be a safe and effective caretaker of feral cat colonies by utilizing TNR methods. It provides the basics of TNR and colony management, including the steps of humane trapping (preparations, equipment, and techniques); arranging for spay/neuter; caring for the cats pre- and post-surgery; feeding; setting up adequate shelter; and discussion of the “big picture” of TNR, including ongoing colony management and working with neighbors and the community at large.  In addition, it explains why TNR works to reduce feral cat numbers and why other methods, such as trap and remove, have failed.

The workshop and online course are also useful to anyone interested in starting a TNR program or advocating for the acceptance of TNR in their community.

To sign up for a workshop, visit www.animalalliancenyc.org.

For more information, contact:
JOHNNIE SIMPSON, [email protected] or (240) 482-3895

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About Alley Cat Allies
Alley Cat Allies is the only national advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of cats. Founded in 1990, today Alley Cat Allies has over half a million supporters and helps tens of thousands of individuals, communities, and organizations save and improve the lives of millions of cats and kittens nationwide. Its website is www.alleycat.org.

About the ASPCA®
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first animal welfare organization in North America and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animals. More than two million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. For more information, please visit www.ASPCA.org, and be sure to follow the ASPCA on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

About the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals®
The Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity that works with more than 150 partner rescue groups and shelters to offer important programs and services that save the lives of NYC’s homeless animals. We are supported entirely by donations from foundations, corporations, and individuals and receive no government funding. Since our founding in 2003, we have remained committed to transforming New York City into a no-kill community by 2015, meaning that no dogs or cats of reasonable health and temperament will be killed merely because they do not have homes. www.AnimalAllianceNYC.org

Contact: JOHNNIE SIMPSON, [email protected] or (240) 482-3895