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Press Release
For Immediate Release: August 10, 2007
Contact: ELIZABETH PAROWSKI, eparowski@alleycat.org or 240-482-1984; FRANCIE ISRAELI, fisraeli@johnadams.com or 202-207-1134
Baltimore Mayor Dixon to Propose Cat-Friendly Legislation to City Council National and Local Animal Welfare Organizations Join Together to Protect City's Outdoor Cats
BALTIMORE, MD. (August 10, 2007) – Innovative legislation intended to change the way feral
cats are handled though the animal control system will be proposed to the City Council by Mayor
Sheila Dixon on Monday, August 13, 2007. This legislation is strongly backed by local and
national humane organizations including the Maryland SPCA, Maryland Feline Society,
Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter, and the national organization Alley Cat Allies.
Feral cats are outdoor cats that are otherwise perfectly healthy but are unsocialized to humans
and therefore unadoptable. “This legislation is important because it will allow citizens to better
care for the community’s cats by humanely trapping, sterilizing, and vaccinating the cats. This
will ensure their health and create a safety net for the cats and community,” said Becky
Robinson, President and co-founder of Alley Cat Allies. This management method is called
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and known to be the most effective management program and is
reflective of a more caring society.
With Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), the breeding stops and populations of cats are gradually
reduced. The nuisance behaviors of breeding cats, like yowling or spraying end. Adoptable cats
and kittens are placed in loving homes, immediately reducing the number of cats in
neighborhoods. Cats are cared for and monitored by volunteer caregivers.
Feral cats are not companion animals and do not belong in shelters. Trapping and killing them is
cruel and costly. With the help of the proposed legislation, Baltimore will be in line with other
major cities in the United States who are working to end the trapping and needless killing of feral
cats.
The Maryland SPCA, Maryland Feline Society, Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter, and
Alley Cat Allies are working together to develop a city-wide program for animal control to
implement community outreach and humane education programs, and low-cost/no-cost
spay/neuter clinics. Volunteers are needed to help with all efforts.
WHEN: August 13, 2007, 5:00 PM
WHERE: Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
The Council meeting will be broadcast live on Cable TV 25.
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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.
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