Cat rescuers worry the end of a free sterilization program once offered by the Animal Humane Society will cause a surge in the feral cat population.
AHS began offering Trap-Neuter-Return, or TNR, for wild cats at no cost in 2014, thanks to a two-year grant. The nonprofit spent its own money to keep the program going after that, but it no longer can afford to do so, CEO Janelle Dixon said.
As of July 1, the start of AHS’ fiscal year, TNR is being offered at $75, which Dixon said still makes AHS the lowest-cost provider of the surgeries. TNR involves sterilization and ear tipping to indicate the cat has been sterilized; AHS also administers a rabies and other vaccines before releasing the cats back to the wild.
Two local nonprofits held a press conference Monday in St. Paul to call attention to the issue.
Maia Rumpho, director of Minneapolis-based Pet Project Rescue, which works to prevent dog and cat overpopulation through sterilization, said she worries the change at AHS will result in more cats being born on the streets, overwhelming shelters and ultimately leading to more euthanasia. Minneapolis alone has an estimated 60,000 wild cats, she said.
“We’ve heard people say they’re bringing kittens down to the river to drown them. That’s when we know we’re in a crisis,” Rumpho said.
Jacky Wilson, director of TNR and community outreach for Bitty Kitty Brigade, said the organization has relied heavily on AHS to spay the cats they bring in. Now, Wilson is looking for other resources, such as local veterinarians and students interested in field surgery.
Breanne Tushaus, an independent cat trapper in south Minneapolis, said she brought nearly 200 cats to AHS for TNR last year. At that pace, she’ll have to find some $15,000 to cover TNRs this year.
Dixon recognizes paying for TNR is difficult for the small nonprofits, but she said AHS no longer can sustain that part of their budget. A private practice sterilization procedure typically costs anywhere from $250 to $450, not including vaccines, she said.
Pet Project Rescue and Bitty Kitty Brigage are accepting donations at fundrazr.com. They hope to raise $25,000 to sterilize Minnesota cats.
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