Contact: JOHNNIE SIMPSON, [email protected] or (240) 482-3895 or (240) 762-1257
Alley Cat Allies invites advocates to boost their advocacy for cats
BETHESDA, MD Alley Cat Allies today asks cat advocates everywhere to start planning for National Feral Cat Day®, the biggest day of the year for cats. Held every year on October 16, National Feral Cat Day is a day of awareness and activism for community cats. The theme this year is “The Evolution of the Cat Revolution”, signaling a call to action for compassionate Americans to take their advocacy for cats to the next level.
Alley Cat Allies created National Feral Cat Day® in 2001 to raise awareness about community cats, promote Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), socializing feral kittens for adoption, and other lifesaving programs. The National Feral Cat Day® website (www.NationalFeralCatDay.org) provides ideas for events and activities that can help people jumpstart or evolve their advocacy.
Although TNR is now mainstream and huge gains have been made in the movement to protect cats, there are still many communities and shelters which do not have TNR programs for community cats. That’s why on National Feral Cat Day®, cat advocates, TNR groups, veterinarians, and shelters are encouraged to host activities or events, whether large or small, to spread awareness about community cats (also called feral cats) and implement policies and programs to protect cats.
Alley Cat Allies encourages advocates to build on what they are already doing to protect cats. For example, if an individual feeds community cats, take the next step and organize a TNR event. In a TNR program, community cats are humanely trapped, taken to a veterinarian to be neutered, vaccinated and eartipped (the universal sign of a neutered and vaccinated cat), and returned their outdoor home.
Other ideas for activities include reaching out to a local shelter and talking to them about Shelter-Neuter-Return (SNR), writing to local legislators about the need for humane policies for cats, or volunteering with a local group that is already practicing TNR. Even sharing a message about National Feral Cat Day® on social media or encouraging friends to participate can increase awareness and grow the movement.
Since 2011, more than 1,500 National Feral Cat Day® activities and events have mobilized communities to advocate for humane legislation and lifesaving policies and programs for cats.
More information can be found at www.NationalFeralCatDay.org.
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About Alley Cat Allies
Alley Cat Allies is the only national advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of cats. Founded in 1990 and celebrating 25 years of protecting cats, today Alley Cat Allies has over half a million supporters and helps tens of thousands of individuals, communities, and organizations save and improve the lives of millions of cats and kittens nationwide. Its website is www.alleycat.org.