Press Release
For Immediate Release: April 14, 2010
Contact: ELIZABETH PAROWSKI, eparowski@alleycat.org or 240-482-1984; FRANCIE ISRAELI, fisraeli@johnadams.com or 202-207-1134
RUE MCCLANAHAN JOINS CAMPAIGN TO HELP FERAL CATS
– AND THE PEOPLE WHO CARE FOR THEM
TV star to be featured in national PSAs; declares “I’m an Alley Cat Ally”
BETHESDA, MD – Alley Cat Allies, the national advocate for stray and feral cats, today
launched a print Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign featuring Rue McClanahan,
lifelong animal advocate and star of “The Golden Girls.”
In the ad, McClanahan declares herself an “Alley Cat Ally,” and a supporter of Alley Cat Allies’
major campaign to raise awareness about the millions of Americans who care for stray and feral
cats in their communities.
“We are delighted to have Rue McClanahan on board to represent the individuals from all walks of
life who share compassion for these cats,” said Becky Robinson, president of Alley Cat Allies, the
recognized authority on feral cats and Trap-Neuter-Return.
“Cats have always been a part of my life; ever since I was a little girl in Oklahoma,” said
McClanahan. “In fact, my most recent cat, Kate, was a stray that just showed up at my backdoor in
Manhattan, walked right in and has been in charge ever since.”
A national survey by the respected research organization Harris Interactive found that over 40
percent of Americans have fed a stray cat in their lives, and one out of five has done so in the past
year.
Feral cats are the same species as domestic cats, but they are not socialized to people and prefer to
live in family groups called colonies. Because they are not adoptable, they are almost always killed
in animal shelters.
Robinson noted that many progressive communities across the country have adopted a lifesaving
program called Trap-Neuter-Return, in which feral cats are humanely trapped, brought to a
veterinarian to be neutered and vaccinated and returned to their outdoor home. Trap-Neuter-Return
is the best course of action for feral cats because it ends the breeding cycle, stabilizes populations
and improves the cats’ health, Robinson said.
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About Alley Cat Allies
Alley Cat Allies is the nation’s leading advocate for stray and feral cats. Their website is www.alleycat.org.
About Rue McClanahan
Rue McClanahan is known for her roles as Vivian Cavender Harmon on Maude, Fran Crowley on
Mama's Family, and Blanche Devereaux on The Golden Girls. Rue was nominated four times as
best actress in a comedy series for her role in The Golden Girls, for which she won an Emmy in
1987.
Rue has appeared in numerous feature films and appeared on Broadway in multiple productions,
most recently in “Wicked.” Rue is a breast cancer survivor and was awarded the Gilda Radner
Award for her dedication to the cause. She is a lifelong animal welfare supporter.
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