The Allegheny Spay & Neuter Clinic will be offering a special rate for spaying and neutering during its Oct. 15 Feral Cat Clinic. This special event is being held in conjunction with National Feral Cat Day, which was created by Alley Cat Allies a decade ago to promote humane care of feral cats. To make an appointment, contact the clinic at 814-768-3500.
There are a limited number of traps available to loan on a first-come, first-serve basis for the capture of a cat. A $20 deposit fee will also be required for the traps. In order to acquire the discount price, persons must mention the code: “AWCFERAL.”
The Allegheny Spay & Neuter Clinic is located at 1937 Daisy Street Ext., U.S. Route 322 East, in Clearfield. It is open to the public for the low cost spaying and neutering of cats and dogs. The clinic is regularly open from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Other services offered at the Allegheny Spay & Neuter Clinic include Frontline Flea & Tick medication, micro-chip lost animal protection, Clearfield County Dog License, Rabies and Distemper and many other vaccines.
A feral cat is a descendant of a domesticated cat that has returned to the wild. It is distinguished from a stray cat, which is a pet cat that has been lost or abandoned, while feral cats are born in the wild.
The offspring of a stray cat can be considered feral if born in the wild. Feral cats that are born and living outdoors, without any human contact or care, have been shown to be adoptable and can be tamed by humans, provided they are removed from a wild environment before truly feral behaviors are established. Such behaviors are established while it is still a kitten being raised by its mother.
The U.S. Humane Society estimates that there are as many as 50 million feral cats in the U.S. It’s vital to reduce their numbers whether persons are concerned about, indifferent to or annoyed by them. To help feral cats in the community, a person(s) should consider the following tips.
Spaying/neutering is a proven way to reduce pet overpopulation. If someone is feeding feral cats, they obviously care about them.
Feeders that don’t realize or can’t find resources to get the cats spayed and neutered while their numbers are manageable are soon overwhelmed by kittens. The cost of spaying or neutering a pet is less than the cost of raising a kitten for a year. Two uncontrolled breeding cats can produce two litters per year and continued breeding will produce 12 cats the first year, 66 cats the second and 2,200 cats the next. People with big hearts often provide food to feral cats. Unfortunately, they may not realize the importance of spaying and neutering or they may not even know that there’s anyone who can help them.
The Animal Welfare Council (AWC), which operates the Allegheny Spay & Neuter Clinic, is an organization in the community that can help people with feral cats.
The AWC is a non-profit 501(c)3 designated organization formed in 2006 by a group of individuals who share concern and passion for animals in the community and who strive to fulfill the needs of local animals and their owners. Organizations/agencies that help feral cats need assistance. Even if someone has never seen a feral cat, it’s likely that there are feral cats in their community.
People can make a difference in their community by:
- spaying and neutering their cats;
- educating others; or
- donating to the AWC to help with the care of feral cats.
For more information about the Feral Cat Clinic and the Allegheny Spay and Neuter Clinic, please contact the clinic at 768-3500.