ALLEY CAT ALLIES SPONSORS MONESSEN NEUTER CLINIC

More than 75 cats neutered at day-long clinic; highlights critical need for services

MONESSEN, PA—A total of 78 cats were neutered on Sunday at a day-long veterinary clinic sponsored by Alley Cat Allies, the only national advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of cats.  The services were provided at no cost to residents of Monessen, many of whom brought their house cats to be spayed or neutered.

“There is an enormous need for accessible and affordable spay and neuter services for the cats in Monessen, both owned house cats and feral cats in colonies” said Becky Robinson, president of Alley Cat Allies.  “We stepped in to help fill this tremendous need.”

Monessen was the subject of much controversy last March after city leaders hired a private trapper to trap cats and bring them to a local shelter where most were immediately killed.  The trapping, which was carried out with no prior notice to town residents, resulted in the deaths of dozens of cats.  Many of the cats’ caregivers did not discover their fates for nearly a week following the trapping.

“The big turnout for services we saw on Sunday is yet more indication that residents of Monessen don’t support killing—they want humane care for the city’s cats, including Trap-Neuter-Return for feral cats and affordable spay and neuter for all cats,” said Robinson.  

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) ends the breeding cycle, stabilizes the population and helps feral cats lead healthier lives.  It also makes the cats better neighbors by ending behaviors associated with mating, like yowling and fighting.  Many communities across the country have embraced TNR after realizing that catch and kill is cruel, expensive, and doesn’t achieve its goal.  

Still, Robinson noted, being killed in an animal shelter remains the leading documented cause of death for cats nationwide.  More than 70 percent of cats brought to shelters are killed there, at enormous expense to taxpayers and shelter donors. 

“Trap-Neuter-Return is the only effective course of action for feral cats,” said Robinson.  “If Monessen city leaders had invested in spay and neuter, dozens of cats could have been saved.”

“We applaud the local residents who came out today and those who helped to organize this important event.  We hope city leaders are paying attention and are finally ready to be responsive to the needs of the community,” Robinson said.