There’s nothing scary about it, October is officially Community Cat Month! This month, the SPCA of Texas and the DFW Cat Network are shedding light on free roaming outdoor cats, also known as community cats, and how people can help effectively control the cat population through Trap-Neuter-Return. Follow the SPCA of Texas' Facebook page to learn more about community cats all month long, including how to trap a free roaming cat. The month-long informational celebration will conclude with a free spay/neuter surgery event for the first 100 community cats brought to the SPCA of Texas on October 31st.
There is a direct link between the intake of kittens in area shelters with the number of unaltered free roaming cats in a community, and kitten intake is on the rise. Most experts agree the best and most humane way to manage the outdoor cat population and reduce its numbers is through the Trap-Neuter-Return method. This method involves spaying and neutering the cats, vaccinating them for rabies and returning them to their environment to be overseen by people in their community.
In October, the SPCA of Texas will be performing 100 free spay/neuter surgeries for community cats on October 31st, as well as hosting special events and sharing information about community cats. Here is the full list of National Community Cat Month events:
October 16th: National Community Cat Day
October 26th: Education and Trapping Class
October 31st: Free Spay/Neuter Event
On October 31st, the first 100 community cats will receive a free spay/neuter surgery, ear tip and rabies vaccine. It will be first come, first served. Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. and pick-up will be at 3:30 p.m. All cats must must be checked into the clinic in a humane trap with your name and contact information (including phone number) attached to the trap. Traps should be covered with a large towel or part of a bed sheet to help keep the cats calm. We reserve the right to refuse service if the animal is contained in an inappropriate carrier.
The SPCA of Texas will cover the costs of these spay/neuter surgeries. To help support the SPCA of Texas and its efforts to rescue, heal and find homes for animals and to support the SPCA of Texas' other programs and services, please visit www.spca.org/give.