If You Owned Cats:
The decisions people make for their cats are important for their cats’ health and welfare; they also play a role in cat overpopulation as a whole. We urge all cat owners to take the following steps:
Have your cats spayed or neutered. Cats can begin reproducing as early as five months of age, so they should be sterilized by that age or younger whenever possible. Cats can have more than one litter each year, and each litter adds to the millions of cats across the
country competing for homes. Close to two million cats are euthanized each year in shelters and animal control facilities nationwide. In addition to population control, sterilization can also eliminate unpleasant behaviors of intact cats, such as male cats fighting and female cats going into their reproductive season.
Keep your cats safe indoors. Indoor cats live longer, tend to be healthier, and can avoid some of the predators, injuries, parasites, and communicable diseases to which outdoor cats may be exposed. Indoor cats do not kill birds and other wildlife. An outdoor enclosure
or walk on a harness and leash can provide a cat with safe outdoor access, if desired, although cats do not require outdoor access to live full and happy lives.
Put visible identification on your cats at all times. Accidental escape is a common risk for indoor cats. Only about 2 percent of lost cats who enter animal shelters are claimed by their families. A collar with visible identification attached is the best life insurance you can buy. Cats can easily and safely wear collars with identification, and a microchip is a good backup means of identification. Microchips alone are not enough, since it’s the visible ID that will immediately alert people that the cat is owned.
Click here for more information on Spay and Neuter Programs
The decisions people make for their cats are important for their cats’ health and welfare; they also play a role in cat overpopulation as a whole. We urge all cat owners to take the following steps:
Have your cats spayed or neutered. Cats can begin reproducing as early as five months of age, so they should be sterilized by that age or younger whenever possible. Cats can have more than one litter each year, and each litter adds to the millions of cats across the
country competing for homes. Close to two million cats are euthanized each year in shelters and animal control facilities nationwide. In addition to population control, sterilization can also eliminate unpleasant behaviors of intact cats, such as male cats fighting and female cats going into their reproductive season.
Keep your cats safe indoors. Indoor cats live longer, tend to be healthier, and can avoid some of the predators, injuries, parasites, and communicable diseases to which outdoor cats may be exposed. Indoor cats do not kill birds and other wildlife. An outdoor enclosure
or walk on a harness and leash can provide a cat with safe outdoor access, if desired, although cats do not require outdoor access to live full and happy lives.
Put visible identification on your cats at all times. Accidental escape is a common risk for indoor cats. Only about 2 percent of lost cats who enter animal shelters are claimed by their families. A collar with visible identification attached is the best life insurance you can buy. Cats can easily and safely wear collars with identification, and a microchip is a good backup means of identification. Microchips alone are not enough, since it’s the visible ID that will immediately alert people that the cat is owned.
Click here for more information on Spay and Neuter Programs
Ways to Help Animals in Your Community Insulated Cat Houses
So, you want to help animals in your own community, but just aren’t sure where to begin? Well, the good news is there are many ways an animal lover can make a difference. From assisting in the care and placement of shelter animals to educating the public on animal welfare issues to fighting for stronger animal legislation—here are several ways you can make a difference for animals in your community.
Learn how to report animal cruelty. One of the best things you can do to help animals in your community is to keep a list of people, including a humane law enforcement officer, a teacher or your veterinarian, who can help you report animal cruelty. Every state is different. In some areas, the police department investigates animal cruelty; in others, that job falls to local animal control or another municipal agency. If you aren't sure where to report cruelty, check here to report Animal Cruelty.
Start a neighborhood watch program. Get to know the animals in your neighborhood and invite your friends and neighbors to do the same. Together you can keep an eye out for any suspicious behaviors—abuse and neglect of companion animals, the mistreatment of local wildlife, dogs left in hot cars , cats not feed roaming outside.
Volunteer at your local shelter or animal rescue organization. Volunteering at your local shelter is a great way to make a difference in the lives of many animals. From walking dogs, trapping cats, transporting back & forth to the clinics & hospitals and organizing fundraising events to fostering abused or frightened animals, shelters across the country are in desperate need of volunteers. Be a hero to these poor animals.
Become an animal activist. Visit the lobby section here to find out everything you can do to raise awareness for animal rights.
- Call or write your local law enforcement officials. Let them know that animal cruelty is a crime and investigating these cases should be a priority.
Start a pet food bank. See if there is a pet food pantry in your area and volunteer your time to help distribute the much-needed pet food. If there isn’t, consider starting one up. Host pet food drives, similar to canned food drives, in central locations of your community such as shopping centers and schools.
Promote spaying and neutering. Millions of adoptable cats and dogs are euthanized in shelters every year. By spaying and neutering your animals, you’ll make sure you are not contributing to the problem in your community.
Adopt. Always consider adopting from an animal adoption center near you. And please consider an adult cat who is looking for a second chance at a forever home. Many adult cats are already trained with great personalities, just waiting to meet you.
Consider being a foster care family. Speak with your family about the time and responsibilities required for this very necessary service. It can be a lot of work, but foster care is also very rewarding. And remember, foster care is temporary until the animal is old enough or well enough to be put up for adoption. It is nice to know that you are helping an animal in need find his forever home.
If you see a stray, wild kitten or cat, contact your local animal adoption center.
Stray cats and kittens need food and care, too. Contact your local animal adoption center or animal control officer for guidelines as to care for these animals. Ask your family or a trusted adult for help. And there are specific humane programs for trapping feral cats, but they should only be attempted by an adult. And never let your own pets come in contact with stray or feral cats, as they might be at risk for disease.
Barncat
If you have a barn or stable, you can help save a cat! Although the majority of cats can easily live as indoor house pets, sometimes there are cats whose only alternative is to live as a barn cat. These cats may fall into the following categories:
· Feral cats
· Cats whose litter box habits make them unsuitable to live in the house.
· Cats who were outdoor cats prior to surrender and cannot acclimate to an indoor home.
These cats have had prior experience in outdoor living situations. Please note that this program is not for cats who are suitable to be household companions.
Adopting a barn cat can help you control a rodent population in your barn, and will provide companionship for you and your other barn animals. If you do not have other barn cats, you may want to consider adopting a pair of barn cats through the program offered by MSPCA.org. Find out more here: The Barncat Program
Here are some resources for the Boston Area:
https://www.arlboston.org/
http://www.dorchestercats.org/
http://www.charlesriveralleycats.org
ANIMAL FRIENDLY PLATES AVAILABLE! (short blurb) Massachusetts now offers a specialty plate that helps end pet overpopulation. Order a plate online at www.mass.gov/rmv
