VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. March 27, 2019 Becky Robinson, the president and founder of Alley Cat Allies, will deliver the keynote address, “An Honest Look at TNR: Warts and All,” during the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies (VFHS) annual conference in Virginia Beach from March 28-30.
Alley Cat Allies will explain why Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is the only humane and effective approach for community cats.
TNR is the process in which community cats, sometimes called feral cats, are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, eartipped (the universal sign that indicates a cat has been through TNR), and returned to their outdoor homes. As sound public policy, it effectively and humanely addresses the community cat population while reducing shelter intake, “euthanasia,” and calls to animal services, which saves taxpayer dollars in the process.
“TNR has grown into a mainstream practice and more municipalities are adopting it as their principal cat population management approach,” Robinson said. “Yet deciding what to do about domestic cats who live outside can still twist people in knots. It’s important to understand why citizens from all backgrounds are passionate about saving these cats instead of calling for them to be rounded up and killed.”
Alley Cat Allies has supported VFHS for many years and has helped to drive the commonwealth’s movement toward non-lethal control. As Robinson will explain in her address, TNR is not only legal in Virginia, but it is also here to stay.
“At Alley Cat Allies, we are committed to saving cats. We are also committed to providing humane education so more animal control agencies, shelters and rescue organizations are empowered to join us in this lifesaving work,” Robinson said.
VFHS has constituents from over 100 member organizations throughout the commonwealth, including shelters, animal control agencies, rescue groups and sanctuaries. It was established in 1959 and is the oldest statewide animal welfare organization in Virginia.
This year’s annual conference will take place at the Founders Inn & Spa at 5641 Indian River Road in Virginia Beach. Becky Robinson’s keynote address is scheduled for 9:15 a.m. on Friday, March 29. Alley Cat Allies will also lead an open discussion on TNR at 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, March 28.
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 and YouTube.