December 5, 2008 - Alley Cat Allies calls on Los Angeles County to end feeding ban at Rancho Los Amigos and adopt humane plan for feral cats.  
Volunteers at Rancho Los Amigos Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center in Downey, CA, have cared for the cats on the property for years, providing food and veterinary care out of their own pockets and working hard to ensure reproduction is stopped through Trap-Neuter-Return.

Tell Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe to lift a cruel feeding ban on a colony of feral cats at the Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center in Downey, CA, and to allow the colony’s caregivers to continue their humane neuter, vaccinate, and return program for the cats.

Read the press release.
For California residents only, take action to voice your support for the longtime Rancho Los Amigos Trap-Neuter-Return program.

December 4, 2008 - Share your love of cats with friends and family this holiday season using our unique holiday tribute options.  

Send a tribute donation e-card with a holiday message by giving a gift of any amount.
Give a set of cat memorabilia for a gift of $50.
Give a grander set of cat memorabilia by giving a gift of $100 or more.

November 27, 2008 - Happy Thanksgiving!  
Supporters like you have given thanks for the cats in their lives in our Thanksgiving gallery, while protecting cats across the nation. Today, we at Alley Cat Allies give thanks for our supporters and the cats that share their lives with us—both indoors and outside.

View the gallery.
Make a donation to protect cats and submit your own note of Thanksgiving.

November 26, 2008 - Follow Alley Cat Allies on Twitter. 
Find us online and network with other cat lovers.

Follow us on Twitter.
Become a friend on Facebook.
Subscribe to our blog on MySpace.
Learn more about social networking site and download our web banners.

November 24, 2008 - Alley Cat Allies urges officials at Quantico Marine Base to lift a feeding ban and to end their 'catch and kill' initiative for feral cats who live on the base. 
The 'catch and kill' initiative on the Quantico Marine Base in Virginia has already resulted in at least 12 of the cats being turned in to the local animal shelter and another 10 cats missing. Several concerned citizens contacted Alley Cat Allies in the last few days seeking assistance. One reported that she had been actively trapping cats for neuter and rabies vaccinations, and had already removed 49 adoptable cats and kittens, while providing a regular feeding schedule for the feral cats who were returned to their colony.

Read the press release.
For residents of Washington, DC and Virginia, take action and ask the Marine base to adopt a humane plan.

November 24, 2008 - Get prepared for winter with our cold weather tips for outdoor cats in our Colony Care Guide. 

Learn how to build a winter shelter.
Properly prepare food and water.

November 17, 2008 - Pet columnist and radio host Steve Dale is an Alley Cat Ally! You can show your support too. 

Learn more about Steve Dale.
Show your support and become an Alley Cat Ally.

November 13, 2008 - A new Press of Atlantic City article profiles Alley Cat Allies’ Atlantic City Every Kitty – Every City coordinator Amanda Casazza. 

Read the article.
Learn more about the cats up for adoption from Atlantic City.
Learn more about the Atlantic City Every Kitty — Every City program.

November 12, 2008 - Read the fall 2008 edition of Alley Cat Action.
The fall edition of the AlleyCat Action is hot off the press and will be arriving in your mailbox any day. Included are articles about the new alleycat.org, the Lives Count, Secrets Kill campaign, the Atlantic City Every Kitty – Every City campaign, and more.

Read the newsletter.

November 10, 2008 - Your stories about shelter deception are helping us put a face on the Lives Count, Secrets Kill campaign.
Our Lives Count, Secrets Kill campaign documents and publicizes the nation’s kill-rate statistics. You can do your part by telling your story of shelter deception: have you ever taken an animal to an animal pound or shelter trying to help, only to find out later that the facility killed the cat you were trying to save?

Tell your Story.
Learn more about the Lives Count, Secrets Kill campaign.

November 7, 2008 - Honor the cats in your life during this season of thanks. Give a gift to Alley Cat Allies of $15 or more to pay tribute in our Thanksgiving gallery.
This Thanksgiving, please give a gift of $15, $30, or more to pay tribute to the special cats in your life—and to the dedicated citizens who work every day to protect our nation’s cats. We will put your donation to work to end the killing of cats in our nation’s pounds and shelters and lead the movement for their humane care.

With a gift of $15 or more, you can post a special tribute to the cats in your life for all to see at the Alley Cat Allies’ Thanksgiving Gallery. The gallery is a unique way for you to express appreciation for the cats in your life – and to help protect cats across the nation at the same time.

Donate today and pay tribute to the special cat in your life.
View the gallery.

November 5, 2008 - President Becky Robinson’s address at the 10th Annual International Welfare Companion Animal Conference addressed the critical need to establish humane methods of care for cats around the world.
Historically, animal pounds and shelters in the United States have not acknowledged feral cats’ place in our landscape and have instead relied on failed programs like “catch and kill.”

As Becky said in her speech, “Catch and kill is cruel, costly and doesn’t work, due to a well-documented phenomenon called ‘the vacuum effect,’ in which new cats simply take their place and start the cycle all over again.”

Read the press release.
Read a summary of Becky’s speech. 

November 4, 2008 - Acclaimed pet photographer Kim Levin—featured in the best-selling Cattitude—becomes an Alley Cat Ally.

Learn more about Kim Levin.
Become an Alley Cat Ally yourself.

October 31, 2008 - Have you and an animal you tried to help been victims of deception by pounds or shelters?
Through our Lives Count-Secrets Kill Campaign, we are documenting and publicizing the kill-rate statistics. But the cats need you to do your part—tell the story of the animals you tried to save so that they are not forgotten. Tell your story to stop the pounds and shelters from misleading the public and covering up the killing. Tell your story to help bring the killing to an end.

Share your experience with Alley Cat Allies.
Learn more about the Lives Count, Secrets Kill Campaign.

October 31, 2008 - The Washington, DC metro area Every Kitty-Every City program welcomes a new shelter partner to the National Capital Area Spay and Neuter Center
The Fairfax County Animal Shelter has finalized a partnership with the Washington Humane Society’s National Capital Area Spay and Neuter Center. The shelter will offer neuter surgery for feral cats on select Mondays. The first feral cat day will be Monday, November 3 and at least 30 feral cats will be spayed or neutered.

These appointments are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Surgery for cats from Fairfax County will be subsidized by the shelter. Feral cats from outside of Fairfax County are eligible for the program at a cost of $45 per cat. Priority will be given to cats from Fairfax County. Services include spay or neuter surgery, vaccination, and eartipping.

Make a reservation.
Learn more about the Fairfax County Animal Shelter's offerings.
Learn more about the Washington, DC metro area's Every Kitty-Every City program.

October 28, 2008 - President Becky Robinson to speak at the 10th Annual International Welfare Companion Animal Conference
President Becky Robinson will address the critical need to establish humane methods of care for cats around the world, including Trap-Neuter-Return for feral cats and accessible, affordable neuter services for all cats at the 10th Annual International Welfare Companion Animal Conference in Stresa, Italy, October 29-31.

Learn more about the conference.

October 23, 2008 - How did you Celebrate National Feral Cat Day? We want to hear from you!
Thank you to everyone who came out on behalf of cats last week. We are honored by the outpouring of support, and also proud to represent you in this movement for almost 20 years.

How did you celebrate National Feral Cat Day? We want to hear from you! Please share photos and stories from your special activities. You might be featured in our next edition of the Alley Cat Action!

Tell us about your event through our online form.

October 21, 2008 - Becky Robinson and National Feral Cat Day Featured on "Pet Peeves" Podcast.
Alley Cat Allies' President Becky Robinson talk with Pet Life Radio's "Pet Peeves" host Amy Shojai about Trap-Neuter-Return as a humane approach for feral cats.

Listen to the podcast.

October 16, 2008 - Becky Robinson Speaks at Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Opening Day of the Pennsylvania SPCA's Feral Cat Spay-Neuter Clinic.
On National Feral Cat Day, Alley Cat Allies President Becky Robinson congratulated the Pennsylvania SPCA (PSPCA) and the Philadelphia Community Cats Council (PCCC) on the grand opening of "The Cube," Pennsylvania's first spay/neuter clinic permanently dedicated to feral cats. The Cube will be open five days a week and is expected to perform 10-12 spay/neuter procedures a day, or approximately 2,600-3,900 procedures per year.

Read the press release.

October 16, 2008 - Happy National Feral Cat Day! Celebrate today and all year round.
Today is National Feral Cat Day, and we hope you will be taking part in one of the over  90 events going on in 30 states across the country.

There are things you can do today and every day to support Alley Cat Allies and raise awareness about how communities can band together to protect the lives of cats.

Check out our list of events.
Hang a poster in your neighborhood and all around town.
Show the world you're an "Alley Cat Ally."
Write a letter to the editor using these samples as your guide.
Donate today to help end of the killing of cats.

October 14, 2008 - Post an Alley Cat Allies web banner to show your support.
Choose from three designs and place an Alley Cat Allies web banner on your page.

View and download the designs.

October 13, 2008 - Steve Dale's latest pet column focuses on National Feral Cat Day and the successes of Trap-Neuter-Return.

Read the story from Tribune Media Services.

October 9, 2008 - National Feral Cat Day is a week away! Don't miss this opportunity to get involved.
Next Thursday, October 16th is National Feral Cat Day—the kick-off of Alley Cat Allies' annual national education campaign. In celebration, advocates across the country will spread the message about feral cats and why they need a different kind of care by hosting local events—workshops, fundraisers, and special spay/neuter clinic days. Don't miss this opportunity to work with your neighbors to end the killing of cats in your local animal pounds and shelters.

Find an event near you.
Can't make it out? Read our list of ideas for events and activities, many of which you can do from home to support feral cats.

October 8, 2008 - Alley Cat Allies and Spaymart offer the New Orleans area low-cost spay/neuter for feral cats throughout October in honor of National Feral Cat Day (Oct. 16)
The "Neuter Scooter" campaign will offer the services at a cost of $15 per cat, using a state-of-the-art veterinary technique known as "high quality, high volume spay/neuter," and will be held every Friday at Ark Animal Hospital in Jefferson, New Orleans.

Read the media advisory. 

October 7, 2008 - New Orleans Feline Frenzy a great success—80 cats involved in the Trap-Neuter-Return program
In honor of National Feral Cat Day (October 16th), Alley Cat Allies sponsored the Feral Cat Consortium’s Feline Frenzy spay and neuter day in New Orleans on October 5, 2008. Volunteers in the greater New Orleans area brought in 80 cats from 14 colonies. The event was a huge success, exceeding the targeted number of cats set prior to the event. The cats were all spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and eartipped before being returned to their outdoor homes.

Feral Cat Consortium’s president, Wendy Guidry, said that everyone involved was excited by the event’s success. “I think it is a real shot in the arm for a lot of these feeder/trappers to see the combined results of their efforts.”

Alley Cat Allies is proud to have funded this event, which not only improved the lives of 80 cats, but also helped foster a greater spirit of cooperation within the community.

Read the press release.

October 6, 2008 - Big Daddy Featured on Pet Life Radio's show "Take Me Home"
Amanda Casazza, Alley Cat Allies' Atlantic City Fieldwork Coordinator presents Big Daddy on Susan Daffron's online radio show, Take Me Home, dedicated to talking to animal rescue groups about their favorite adoptable animals.
Big Daddy is a plus-sized tuxedo kitty who likes to snuggle. He was found living along the Atlantic City Boardwalk by Alley Cat Allies' volunteers during our Trap-Neuter-Return efforts and was so friendly, he was up for adoption.

Listen to the podcast online and learn more about Big Daddy.
Interested in adoption Big Daddy or other Atlantic City cats?
Learn more about what's going on in Atlantic City, part of our Every Kitty - Every City program.

October 3, 2008 - Alley Cat Allies and the Feral Cat Consortium to host a "Feline Frenzy” Neuter Day on Sunday, October 5 in New Orleans
In honor of the upcoming National Feral Cat Day (Oct. 16), the clinic expects to neuter at least 70 cats in six hours, using a state-of-the-art veterinary technique known as "high quality, high volume spay/neuter."

Read the media advisory.

October 2, 2008 - Becky Robinson Presents “How Shelters Can Respond to the Special Needs of Cats”
Alley Cat Allies president Becky Robinson presented “How Shelters Can Respond to the Special Needs of Cats” to the members of the National Association of Pet Rescue Professionals.

View the powerpoint.
Listen to the webcast.

September 30, 2008 - Join Alley Cat Allies at the Atlantic Coast Veterinary Conference in Atlantic City October 14 - 16
Alley Cat Allies will be exhibiting at the event. Come by to see us and pick up some complimentary educational materials.

Learn more about the event.
View Alley Cat Allies' events calendar.

September 29, 2008 - Alley Cat Allies calls mandatory spay/neuter laws an irrational policy.
Mandatory spay/neuter laws are illogical, according to this new statement from Alley Cat Allies. Although increasing the neuter rate among cats is a laudable end, punishing cat owners is not a means that can achieve that end because: (1) the vast majority of cats in U.S. households are neutered and (2) most intact cats are stray or feral, and thus there is no owner to punish.

Read about why mandatory spay/neuter laws are irrational policy.

September 24, 2008 - Alley Cat Allies' President Becky Robinson talks about Trap-Neuter-Return and humane care in Steve Dale's syndicated column.

Read the My Pet World column.

September 23, 2008 - Alley Cat Allies tells national pest control company that cruelty laws apply to all cats.
Alley Cat Allies has put the company Critter Control on notice that trapping and killing cats can result in criminal convictions for animal cruelty. Last week we sent a letter to the CEO of Critter Control, alerting him that one of his franchise owners was found guilty on three counts of animal cruelty for killing three feral cats. We forwarded that letter to 170 Critter Control franchise owners across the country.

Read the letter Alley Cat Allies sent to Critter Control.
Learn about the prosecution of the Critter Control franchise owner.

September 12, 2008 - Alley Cat Allies Releases the video, Trapping Cats: How to Trap an Entire Colony.
This new educational video from Alley Cat Allies presents a Trap-Neuter-Return effort from start to finish. Learn the ins and outs of this process, while watching a group of dedicated volunteers humanely trap a cat colony and shepherd them through their surgery and return.

Watch the video.

September 8, 2008 - Register your National Feral Cat Day Event.
National Feral Cat Day (NFCD), October 16, is the annual kick-off of Alley Cat Allies' national education campaign. It's time to start planning your events!

Get ideas for activities and events.
Register your event for our online listing.
Learn more about events you can attend in your area.

September 2, 2008 - Alley Cat Allies Honored for Saving Cats After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
Alley Cat Allies President Becky Robinson was awarded the Goodwill Key to the City of New Orleans on Friday, August 29, in recognition of Alley Cat Allies' work to save the lives of hundreds of cats following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Read the Press Release.
View Photos from the Event.

August 29, 2008 - Alley Cat Allies Urges Americans to be Prepared for Disasters
Alley Cat Allies is monitoring Gustav, a tropical storm that the National Hurricane Center predicts is heading straight for the U.S. Gulf Coast. On this third anniversary of hurricane Katrina, Alley Cat Allies reminds Americans of the importance of establishing a disaster plan for their family, their companion animals, and their feral cat colonies.

Read more.

August 25, 2008 - California Senate Says No to Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Thanks to Alley Cat Allies supporters and others, the California Senate voted down AB 1634, a type of mandatory spay/neuter bill. This bill would have unfairly penalized people who care for stray and feral cats, discouraging the care of those cats and ultimately leading to the killing of more cats in pounds and shelters.

Read more.

August 22, 2008 - Alley Cat Allies in New Orleans
Alley Cat Allies, including President Becky Robinson, will visit New Orleans during the week of August 25.  Staff are meeting with various groups and individuals in the area to assess the state of affairs for feral cats three years after hurricanes Katrina and Rita. 

While in New Orleans, Alley Cat Allies will attend the Unveiling of the Humane Society of Louisiana's Memorial Statue Honoring Animals Lost During Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  Becky Robinson, will be awarded the Goodwill Key to the City of New Orleans in recognition of Alley Cat Allies’ life-saving work in the aftermath of the Gulf hurricanes three years ago. She will be accepting the award at a luncheon organized by the Humane Society of Louisiana following the unveiling ceremony.

Read the Press Release.
Read the Media Advisory.
Get the Details about the Event.
Read more about Alley Cat Allies' involvement in New Orleans in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

August 14, 2008 - Alley Cat Allies Praises Conviction Under Anti-Cruelty Law near Richmond, VA
Alley Cat Allies, the national advocate for stray and feral cats, declared “justice served” after the conviction of a Richmond, VA pest-control company operator, who was found guilty of three counts of animal cruelty for killing three cats behind a local television station.

Thank you to the more than 5,200 of you who signed a petition supporting Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Wade Kizer for prosecuting this case.

Read the press release.
Learn more about the case.

August 13, 2008 - Start Planning for National Feral Cat Day
Start planning for National Feral Cat Day and participate in the "I'm an Alley Cat Ally" Photo Pledge - tell the world that you care about the lives of cats.
More.

August 5, 2008 - Alley Cat Allies and supporters urge China to investigate allegations of cat cull in preparation for Olympics.
On Tuesday, August 5, Alley Cat Allies sent a letter to the Chinese Ambassador, the International Olympic Committee, the U.S. Olympic Committee, and the U.S. State Department on behalf of the 8,341 advocates who have written letters and signed a petition urging the Chinese government to investigate these reports of cruelty. Alley Cat Allies is standing by to help the Chinese government implement a more effective, humane method for managing Beijing’s outdoor cats. 

Learn about how Alley Cat Allies and our advocates responded.

July 28, 2008 - Alley Cat Allies’ Feral Cat Task Force steps up to help the Meadows of Chantilly’s residents, caregivers, and cats with the ongoing Trap-Neuter-Return project
There is more to Trap-Neuter-Return than simply trapping and neutering cats. On Saturday, July 26, 33 volunteers built six feeding stations and six shelters for the outdoor cats who call the Meadows of Chantilly home. Teams built the feeding stations and Girl Scout troop 4413 camouflaged the feeding stations by painting them forest green. These feeding stations and shelters have been strategically placed in a location at the community where the cats congregate. Having ample feeding stations and shelters to support the cats is an important part of managing colonies and deterring cats from areas where they are not wanted. 

The cats at the Meadows had been threatened in March 2008. Learn about how Alley Cat Allies and our advocates responded.

The Animal Rights Conference is being held at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, 5000 Seminary Rd., Alexandria, VA 22311. 

Learn more and register at www.arconference.org.