For Immediate Release: March 27, 2014
Contact: JOHNNIE SIMPSON, [email protected] or (240) 482-3895 or FRANCIE ISRAELI, [email protected] or (202) 207-1134
WHO: Alley Cat Allies volunteers Susan Falgout-Trahan and Jeff Dorson
WHAT: Trap-Neuter-Return Workshopincluding humane box trap demonstration and presentation with visuals of deterrents residents can use to keep cats out of gardens
WHEN: March 29, 2014, Noon 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: Goodwood Library, 7711 Goodwood Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Second Floor, Room 208. Enter from Independence Blvd and park by the botanical gardens or theater and follow to the sidewalk to the new library building.
NIGHT-OF CONTACT: 225-202-4471
Background for Media
Goodwood Library will hold a workshop on Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) March 29, 2014.
Currently, on a national level, more than 70 percent of all cats (and all feral cats) who enter shelters are killed there. In response, thousands of communities across the country are carrying out TNR programs. In the last decade, cities and counties that officially endorse TNR have increased ten-fold to over 360, including Chicago, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. TNR stabilizes and eventually reduces outdoor cat populations over time, while saving money that could be dedicated to community education and adoption programs.
At the workshop, presenters will review the basics of TNR, in which outdoor cats are humanely trapped and brought to veterinary clinics for spay/neuter and vaccinations. Unsocialized, unadoptable feral cats are eartipped and then returned to their outdoor homes, while friendly stray cats and kittens are placed in foster homes until adoption. Reproduction stops immediately, the colony size stabilizes and the population decreases over time.
The East Baton Rouge Parish area is currently served by spay/neuter groups and other organizations dedicated to humanely managing the feral cat population. The Feral Cat Coalition and Spay Baton Rouge each perform spay/neuter services on over 1000 cats per year. The Louisiana State University veterinary school holds a monthly Spay Day for students to practice their skills and lend a hand to the community. Other groups provide spay/neuter vouchers.
To arrange an interview, please contact Johnnie Simpson at [email protected] or (240)-482-3895.
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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, 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.