BETHESDA, MD—Alley Cat Allies, the only national advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of cats, today said longtime feral cat residents of Atlantic City’s famous boardwalk are returning to their colony ahead of schedule, seemingly healthy and unfazed despite the damage to their home.
“We prepared prior to Sandy’s landfall, but we also knew from experience that these resourceful cats would instinctively head for higher ground and protect themselves,” said Becky Robinson, president and co-founder of Alley Cat Allies. “More than half of the colony has already returned—we anticipated it might take a few days longer, but the cats were clearly ready to get back to their routine!”
With the cooperation of public officials in Atlantic City, Alley Cat Allies responded to Sandy’s devastation by sending a Disaster Response Team to assess the damage, rebuild the cat shelters and feeding stations, and help residents and feral cat caregivers connect to veterinary and other needed services. The team spent the last 24 hours in Atlantic City and plans to be on the ground for the next several days.
The Atlantic City Boardwalk Cats Project is one of the oldest Trap-Neuter-Return programs in the country, launched in 2000 with the support of city officials and local businesses. Today, this model TNR program is a popular tourist attraction. Volunteers monitor the health and feeding schedule of the cats on a regular basis, and make sure the population remains stabilized.
Robinson said in addition to assisting in Atlantic City, Alley Cat Allies is taking calls from across the eastern seaboard from feral cat caregivers asking for help. People needing assistance should email info@alleycat.org or call 240-482-1980 ext. 330. Alley Cat Allies is also coordinating volunteers via the same email address, and will work to get them where they are needed most to return feral cat colonies and caregivers to normalcy throughout the affected region.
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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 nearly a half a million supporters and helps tens of thousands of individuals, communities and organizations save and improve the lives of cats and kittens nationwide. Their website is www.alleycat.org.
