FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas Aug. 8, 2018 Alley Cat Allies, the global engine of change for cats, will conduct workshops for the public on establishing and sustaining Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs for community cats in Fort Bend County on Aug. 14 and Aug. 16. The workshops are free and serve as an important next step after a unanimous vote by county commissioners in June that allows this pilot TNR program in the county.

Alley Cat Allies will also conduct training for shelter staff, volunteers and county officials during the same week in August.

“By using procedures that follow the TNR gold standard established by Alley Cat Allies, Fort Bend County can build a program that will be successful and effective for many years to come,” said Becky Robinson, president and founder of Alley Cat Allies. “We have helped thousands of communities like Fort Bend County start TNR, so we’re happy to lend the benefit of our experiences to make sure that cats are saved and that this program starts and stays strong.”

Earlier this year, Alley Cat Allies served as a resource for the county and animal services as Fort Bend County Commissioners considered, and ultimately passed, an ordinance allowing for Trap-Neuter-Return. Fort Bend County Animal Services has already started the pilot TNR program and is hosting these public workshops. The county will use the workshops to present the life-saving program to the public and explain how to take full advantage of it.

Alice Burton, associate director of animal shelter and animal control engagement for Alley Cat Allies, will lead both workshops. These hour-long sessions are for anyone interested in helping cats. No previous experience is required. People feeding cats, aware of cats in their neighborhood or simply interested to learn the practice of humane trapping and TNR are all welcome to attend.

 

Workshop #1: Tuesday, Aug. 14 at 6 p.m., lasting approximately two hours

Albert George Branch Library, 9230 Gene St., Needville, TX

Register: www.alleycat.org/FortBendAug14

 

Workshop #2: Thursday, Aug. 16 at 6:30 p.m., lasting approximately two hours

George Memorial Library, 1001 Golfview Dr., Richmond, TX

Register: www.alleycat.org/FortBendAug16

 

Through Trap-Neuter-Return, community cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated and returned to their outdoor homes. A 3/8-inch tip of the cat’s left ear is painlessly removed under anesthesia to indicate that he or she has been spayed or neutered and vaccinated. TNR has become the mainstream approach for community cats and is sound public policy. Instead of a cruel and endless cycle of impounding cats in shelters, where virtually all of them are killed, TNR decreases shelter intake, “euthanasia” rates, and calls to animal services, which also saves taxpayer money.

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About Alley Cat Allies

Alley Cat Allies, headquartered in Bethesda, Md., is the global engine of change for cats. We protect and improve cats’ lives through our innovative, cutting-edge programs. We are seen around the world as a champion for the humane treatment of all cats. Founded in 1990, today Alley Cat Allies has more than a half-million supporters and helps tens of thousands of individuals, communities and organizations save and improve the lives of millions of cats and kittens worldwide. Its website is www.alleycat.org, and Alley Cat Allies is on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ and YouTube.