We have another exciting victory to report for cats in Ravenswood, West Virginia! Thanks to Alley Cat Allies’ support and the dedicated work of the Operation Fancy Free, Inc., organization, we are once again proving how beneficial Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) can be as a humane, nonlethal approach for cats.
The successful TNR effort comes on the heels of the work Alley Cat Allies and Operation Fancy Free did to prevent a dangerous anti-cat proposal from taking effect in Ravenswood earlier this year.
“Thank you, Alley Cat Allies, for this support!” says Kathy Stone, with Operation Fancy Free. “When we started helping cats, we needed ideas, and the information from Alley Cat Allies gives the answers we need any time we hit an obstacle. Alley Cat Allies has been an absolute godsend for us for many years with their information and expertise.”
With Alley Cat Allies’ backing, Operation Fancy Free was recently able to spay and neuter 131 cats and kittens in just over two months. The great news continued as they also transferred 14 kittens into foster homes, and most of them have already been adopted.
Alley Cat Allies support was critical in providing emergency care for two of these kittens, in particular. Kathy explains that one of the kittens was blind and had already lost both eyes, while her sister required attention for an eye infection. Without Alley Cat Allies, these kittens would not have received the attention they needed. Both have since been adopted.
Ravenswood is in a rural corner of West Virginia and serves as proof that TNR works in any setting, including cities and small towns, and any environment. TNR is the only proven approach for managing outdoor cat populations, because it saves cats from being killed, reduces calls to animal services, and saves taxpayer dollars.
Making a Difference and Saving Cats’ Lives
As recently as June, Ravenswood was on the verge of moving in the wrong direction. The city’s “Amended Ordinance Regarding Animals in the City,” would have outlawed the care and harboring of community cats in the city, while also requiring cats to be tethered. Alarmingly, it would have punished the good Samaritan caregivers who practice TNR, like those with Operation Fancy Free who work to improve conditions for cats and the community.
Alley Cat Allies, working closely with local advocates, stepped in to urge the city not to move forward on the ordinance.
“I don’t think we would have ever won on this matter had it not been for the actions and support of Alley Cat Allies. We will forever be grateful,” says Kathy of Operation Fancy Free.
Today it appears that the cats in Ravenswood have a much brighter future than they did even a few months ago. Alley Cat Allies will continue working at the grassroots level to educate civic leaders there about scientifically proven, mainstream methods like TNR that save cats’ lives and benefit the entire community.