13th Annual National Feral Cat Day (Oct. 16) Highlights Growing National Movement toward More Compassionate Communities

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Aug 02, 2013, 12:29 ET

Alley Cat Allies to release "blueprints" to change animal sheltering practices and save cats' lives

BETHESDA, Md., Aug. 2, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The 13^th annual National Feral Cat Day® on Oct. 16 will shine a spotlight on the growing national movement toward embracing humane animal control and sheltering practices that protect the lives of community cats, said Alley Cat Allies, the nation's leading advocacy group for cats. Alley Cat Allies founded National Feral Cat Day in 2000.

"There is a sea change in how our nation's cities are approaching cats whose homes are the outdoors," said Becky Robinson, president and co-founder of Alley Cat Allies. "Hundreds of municipal and private shelters and animal control agencies have embraced Trap-Neuter-Return and abandoned the cruelty of 'catch and kill'. Communities are seeing firsthand that these innovative programs really work."

This year, Alley Cat Allies will mark the day by releasing "Architects of Change for Cats," a blueprint for animal pounds, shelters and animal control agencies for implementing changes to end the practice of catching and killing community cats. The guide includes several examples of communities that have changed their practices and have since seen reduced animal shelter intake numbers, stabilized outdoor cat populations, widespread community support and other powerful metrics of success.

Since the launching of National Feral Cat Day® in 2000, hundreds of local nonprofit organizations have been formed to educate their communities about feral cat colonies and carry out Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs; and more than 300 cities and counties have officially endorsed or embraced TNR.

Robinson said the widespread grassroots support for such changes could be demonstrated by the growing number of communities that celebrate National Feral Cat Day with events such as rallies, TNR workshops, spay/neuter drives and gala fundraisers.

"Last year, more than 450 events were held in honor of National Feral Cat Day, and we expect even more this year," Robinson said. "This is a day for people in communities large and small, all across the U.S., to raise their voices in support of positive change for cats."

More information can be found at www.alleycat.org/NFCD.

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 half a million supporters and helps hundreds of thousands of individuals, communities, and organizations save and improve the lives cats and kittens nationwide. Their website is www.alleycat.org.

Contact:
VAISHALI HONAWAR, [email protected] or (240) 482-2580

SOURCE Alley Cat Allies