Sterilize animals
Michielle Cooper, H. Dale Buck Fund
Saturday, October 4, 2008
THE BUCK FUND has received numerous calls regarding feral colonies of cats in area neighborhoods and on local farms since opening the Catty Shack downtown.
We wanted to take a moment to let Emporia (and surrounding community residents) know that the Buck Fund does have a feral cat sterilization program. If residents are feeding these homeless felines they need to understand that the food source is what attracts feral colonies to their neighborhoods. This being said, if residents are going to provide the food source, there should be some responsibility taken for sterilizing them as well so that they do not cause more misery by continuing to produce litter after litter of unwanted and unloved kittens.
Although the Buck Fund is unable to take possession of feral cats, we have seen the need for limiting their population. Residents who are dealing with feral cats in their neighborhood or on their farms can take advantage of “The Big Fix” program where they can have the offending felines spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and dewormed for only $15 per cat. This program is a component of the collaboration between No More Homeless Pets Kansas City and the H. Dale Buck Fund.
Residents who would like to take advantage of this program should call the office at (620) 343-3377 or email buckfund@cableone.net. We have applications and program details readily available, and ALL applicants qualify for the feral cat sterilization program because it is a growing community-wide concern. It has been said that “it takes a village to raise a child.” It also takes a community of concerned citizens to end the tragedy of pet overpopulation. Join the cause for paws by becoming a program volunteer or donor today.
Michielle Cooper
H. Dale Buck Fund
madpoet (anonymous) says...
That sounds like a great program. Just one problem: how to catch the feral cats to do it. We've had feral cats and they often will not go into live traps. We spent 18 months trying to tame a dumped cat down enough to get its rabies shots and fixed. We never could get it caught. Then we discovered it was a female when she got pregnant. We kept one kitten and found homes for the other 3 and had to finally put the mother down. We hated to do it but she would not be caught and would just continue to draw toms in to fight with our neutered toms and produce unwanted kittens. We have a toddler and do not want an animal around that doesn't have its rabies shot. Too many people believe that once you get an animal fixed it will get hit by a car. No joke, several people have told me that. Our cats are 8 and 10 and were spayed at 6 months and never got hit by a car. We just got the kitten we kept spayed for $80 (with discount, thank you Buck Fund). I'll be paying on that bill for a couple of paychecks. But she should have a long, healthy life and it's worth it.
October 4, 2008 at 9:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LifeGoesOn (anonymous) says...
"If residents are feeding these homeless felines they need to understand that the food source is what attracts feral colonies to their neighborhoods"
I'm sure people Already understand that a food source will draw animals Michielle.
October 5, 2008 at 6:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )