Feral Cat Friends Inc.
News
Trap-neuter-release [sic] control of feral cats wins approval

The Herald-Times, Bloomington, IN
By Emily Thickstun


Friends of feral cats can rest at ease, now that the Bloomington City Council has decided to encourage the humane control of what was becoming quite a nuisance.

The council voted 8-0 Wednesday in favor of the trap-neuter-release [sic] method, the culmination of more than a year's effort between the city and Feral Cat Friends, a local nonprofit group. Council member Chris Sturbaum said the two sides had a rough time reaching a solution. "When they really talked, they realized they both had the same goals," he said.

Feral Cat Friends volunteers love the unloved. Group member Jeff Fanyo said colony caretakers should act responsibly by making sure cats are sterilized. "The reason why we're here is because this ordinance encourages people to do the right thing." That is, "reduce population from natural means rather than euthanasia," Fanyo said.

According to the Feral Cat Coalition, one pair of feral cats can produce 420,000 offspring in a seven-year period. The statistics show that killing the cats doesn't solve the problem. "You never solve the problem," Sturbaum said. Anyone interested in helping Feral Cat Friends can call 323-8209 or go to www.feralcatfriendsinc.org.

If you are feeding, watering or sheltering stray cats, call the group, and a team will trap your cats, take them to the shelter to be spayed or neutered and return the cats to you.

When the city receives complaints about the animals, those are forwarded to Feral Cat Friends. The group has a period in which to respond to the complaint, or the city has the authority to step in and issue fines. Before the cats are returned, the colony manager must sign a contract with Feral Cat Friends. If this agreement hadn't been reached, Sturbaum said, the population was "going to reproduce like mad."

While there weren't any feral cats present at the meeting--they're known to be reclusive--rumor has it everyone's happier now.

Article from The Herald-Times
January 18, 2007
Note: The program is called Trap-Neuter-Return, not Trap-Neuter-Release. Also, the cats are not taken to the shelter to be fixed, they are vaccinated and sterilized by our veterinarians.
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Spring is here!

Please get your cats neutered before
"Kitten Season"
begins
Cat Food Drop-off Box

Bloomington Veterinary Hospital
has graciously offered to have a permanent drop-off box
for FCF's feral cat colonies.

Please stop by and donate hard food or canned food (or both!)

The kitties appreciate your generosity. 




Bloomington Veterinary Hospital
115 N. Smith Rd
Bloomington, IN

Handmade Cards Available

These cards are all-occassion and are made by two local women. They have generously declared that

ALL PROCEEDS
go to Feral Cat Friends Inc.

The suggested donated price is $3 per card.
Also available are small framed cards for $5.

The cards are only available at:
Bloomington Veterinary Hospital
115 N. Smith Rd.
Bloomington, Indiana