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Pets, Pets, Pets . .
On March 2, Last Hope Animal Rescue, Inc. spayed and neutered 135 feral cats at a free clinic, potentially preventing over 19,000 kittens from being born by 2010, only to starve and suffer. The event was made possible through the help of 10 veterinarians and at least 40 other volunteers who passionately believe that TNR (trap- neuter release) is the way to control the cat surplus. Yet this Spay Day only scratched the tip of the feral cat iceberg. In a year's time Last Hope has held 3 free Spay Days with increasing patient loads-87, 110, now an astounding 135 cats sterilized in one day. We are learning from each feline M*A*S*H, held at generously lent Basic Pet Care in Lindenhurst. We know we overbooked. Since 2 people were taking reservations
Actual arrivals are contingent on successful trapping; therefore, not all of the cats show up. We seem to get 65-75% of the scheduled at each clinic. Surprises slow down the surgical stations. We temporarily ran out of certain supplies, like oxygen and packs, because we had too many cats. Male neuters are simpler, quicker and require less skill and anesthesia, but since the cats are not tame, it is hard to sex them for a count until they are tranquilized. The last dozen cats of our 12 hour day, though not obvious calicos, all turned out to be females, delaying the grand finale. In addition, the doctors have different operating styles, supply preferences and tempos depending on experience and where they went to veterinary school. Although all assistance is pro bono, a TNR clinic is expensive. Besides the operation, each cat gets a shot of painkiller, fluids, penicillin, ivermectin for earmites, Advantage for fleas, both rabies and distemper shots, ear tippingthe universal neuter signal, and when necessary, antibiotics for a discovered infection- all at no charge to the caretaker. FeLV/FIV testing is discounted too. Medical supplies for March 2 ran about $3,000. We used 9 vials of the knock down drug-Telazol®; sutures alone cost $1,000. Last Hope (www.lasthopeanimalrescue.org), a non-profit organization, relies completely on donations. Pet Peeves gave a $1,000 grant this time; veterinary companies provided some donated supplies the first clinic, but we can't keep asking.
So far 2 suggestions have surfacedthe first from me, the spoiler. If Last Hope plans to continue with mass Spay Days which fill up faster than Billy Joel at Shea's farewell, they need not be free. Requesting $10 or even $20 a cat would help recoup some of the expenses and possibly leave some funds toward the next event. The small fee is still less than the cost with a "Fix-A-Feral" certificate, plus the cat benefits from additional services. Global Idea #2: Managing feral cats is a municipal problem with humane municipal solutions. Cat colonies exist in every neighborhood; every strip mall. Each LI Town needs to start lending traps and offering free spay vouchers to all residents who want to aid ferals. It's a win/win proposition because shelter cat intake will drop too. Last Hope and other rescues are already advising some Towns in the planning stages. (North Hempstead has a voucher program but it is counterbalanced because, for inexplicable reasons, this is the only Town that refuses to accept any cats in their shelter.)Word is that Babylon, Oyster Bay, and Islip are poised to launch feral voucher programs. Babylon has a state grant. If the Towns offer ongoing, free vouchers, ultimately, Last Hope spayathons will no longer be needed. •For Adoption: A selection of super cats is waiting for homes at Babylon Town Shelter (643-9270) Lamar St. W. Babylon including "Tigger', a 5 year old bright orange swirlneutered and declawed, now housed in a lobby cage. "Mountain", an "extra large" Shepherd/ Bernese mix in Cage 24, is representing the dogs. His face shading looks as if he left his sunglasses on while at the beach. -Female: "Aida"- sable Shepherd/Ibizan Hound pup Cage 48; "Lilly"- Dalmatian/Pit Cage 27. -Male: "Pharaoh"-brindle Hound Cage 14; "Klondike"- cream Chow/Shepherd Cage 3; black Lab Cage 13. •Almost Home's "Animal Well-Fair"- Fabulous Chinese Auction: Almost Home (631-627-3665) is the wonderful rescue that also provides Training Wheels. (See "Pets"11/22/ 07). Almost Home is hosting a Chinese Auction Sat. 3/29 from 11:30 to 4 at the Elks Lodge in Smithtown. Prizes are amazingtickets to John Stewart's Daily Show, Legally Blonde, Museum of Natural History, Empire State Bldg, Top of the Rock, Atlantis Aquarium, weekend at Danfords, many restaurant gift certificates- just to name a few. You do not have to stay for the whole auction to win.
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