19th Ward Community Cats

Comment

Comment by Sheri Tehan on December 15, 2009 at 6:03pm

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20091215/NEWS01/912150324/1003
A Democrat and Chronicle article on the overcrowding at shelters, etc, with some statistics. If you read some of the discussion comments you'll see some people are pretty ignorant of the problem and of feral cat issues in general.

Comment by Laura Burns on December 10, 2009 at 9:11pm

I promised these stats from Roch Animal Services and Lollypop - only RAS has responded so far. (My summaries in parentheses)
For 2008:

Zip code 14619
Owner surrender cats- 62
Stray cats- 53
(Total intake: 115)
Cats adopted- 9
Cats reclaimed- 1
(Total live release: 10, 9%)
(Total euthanized - 105, 91%)

Zip code 14611
Owner surrender- 140
Stray cats- 129
(Total intake: 169)
Cats adopted-17
Cats reclaimed- 3
(Total live release: 20, 12%)
(Total euthanized: 149, 88%)
Laura
per Jonelle Lang
Shelter Manager
Rochester Animal Services
Phone: 585-428-6787
Fax: 585-428-6130

Email: jl1226@cityofrochester.gov

Comment by Marian Boutet on December 10, 2009 at 8:37pm

Thanks, Laura. What time period do these numbers cover?

Comment by Laura Burns on December 8, 2009 at 7:54pm

hi everybody,
those two links: LISN, and Spay Neuter Page are the same service - someone should call and see how far out they're booked, and if they're still running. I notice that the application form has to be notarized! jeez.
The Monroe Humane site is apparently Monroe County in Indiana.

I have a feeling that someone will have to call each vet office to get the information if you want a comprehensive list, not only pricing for spay and neuter surgery, but also what protocol is required: most places require an initial appointment for an exam, initial distemper vaccine, then a second appt within a month for the surgery, second distemper and rabies vaccine. then they might use non-dissolving sutures that have to be removed in 10-14 days, or require you to purchase an e-collar. How young can the cat be? How old before they require bloodwork before surgery? Do they take feral cats? So you'll want to know how much the whole process costs - and you'll probably want a questionnaire to use so that you get uniform information. One-stop clinics are more convenient - however they're a bit more risky, and the cat doesn't really get full immunity from only one distemper vaccine.

I'd recommend that you use a brief checklist or questionnaire for the phone call (to the office manager), you might want to send a letter first to introduce your group and mission, mention the event! and say that you'll be following up with a phone call. Don't assume they're interested in new business!

Comment by Karl on December 8, 2009 at 4:26pm

Here's a few links you guys might find interesting:
- LOW-INCOME SPAY-NEUTER (LISN) PROGRAM
- Spay and Neuter page at the City of Rochester

Unfortunately, both of these are only for City of Rochester residents.

The following is for the entire Monroe County:
- http://www.monroehumane.org/snap/ (provides voucher for low-income MC residents)

Comment by Kira Barnes on December 8, 2009 at 8:35am

Alice - I'd love to see Laura's list of vets. That's awesome that she's done all that research.

Comment by Alice Carli on December 7, 2009 at 8:16pm

I've got something else for people to look over before next week's meeting, namely a draft of a letter to vets. Laura did send the list she had, which is great -- it comes with a map and is on line. It's got a long URL, but let me know if you want it and I can forward the e-mail.

So here's my draft letter (or e-mail or phone call, depending on how we end up doing the contacts -- we can discuss that too):
Dear Dr. ____

A group of neighbors in the 19th Ward of Rochester (see map below/on other side [depending on whether the vet can be contacted by e-mail]) is forming an organization to promote the humane management of the feral cat population in our area. One facet of this work will be to educate pet owners in our neighborhoods about the importance of having pet cats spayed or neutered. Our overall goal is to have as many area cats as possible spayed or neutered. We will work with vets and cat owners to reach this goal by means including promoting responsible ownership, matching low income residents with city programs, and raising funds to help those who do not qualify for city or county assistance, but cannot afford to pay in full.

One of the resources we will want to use and promote is a list, updated annually, of area veterinarians who do spaying and neutering (as well as other care) of pet cats, with the current address, contact information and fees for spaying and neutering. We will also be interested to hear from vets ideas and suggestions for promoting spaying and neutering, as well as other responsible health care.

As a first step, please contact us [by return e-mail/using the enclosed return envelope] with your address, contact information and fee schedule for spaying and neutering, along with any other information you wish to provide.

Thank you very much!

[Heidi, was that you? Or whoever wants to receive the responses], for 19th Ward Community Cats

We could also do this by phone, having volunteers use this as a script -- take a little longer, but cheaper than post, and we can be sure of getting the answers once we get someone on the line! And we could feel out the responses as well.

Comment by Alice Carli on November 23, 2009 at 8:16am

Oh I like that!

Comment by Margy Meath on November 22, 2009 at 11:02am

I like Sheri's with one small change below - I omitted the "problem" part of the statement (re: life being untenable for ferals) - that's an important reason as to WHY the group exists, but I think that the 'mission' statement should be a reflection of the purpose/mission of the group.

19th Ward Community Cats believes that every cat should be treated humanely. It is our mission to improve the status of all cats in the Ward, domestic and feral, by fostering a healthy relationship between people and cats. We will educate neighbors about the plight of our feral cats, we will provide care for ferals, and we will reduce the feral cat population through humane means including TNR . We will assist cat owners and caretakers with acquiring necessary resources for the cats in their care, including veterinary care, shelter and food.

Comment by Alice Carli on November 22, 2009 at 9:33am

Thanks Sheri! This is just what I was hoping for -- different ideas going back and forth so that by next meeting we can come up with a really well thought out statement. Anyone else have other comments and ideas?

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