North Texas nonprofits team up to sterilize over 180 feral cats

Texas Coalition for Animal Protection (TCAP), a nonprofit aiming to end animal overpopulation and euthanasia in North Texas animal shelters, has teamed up with 3 local feral cat caretaker groups—Dallas Cat Lady, Feral Friends, and Shadow Cats—to sterilize over 180 community cats.

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According to an organizational release,¹ over the span of 4 days, the groups trapped and transported approximately 45 cats a day from various North Texas colonies to TCAP’s Denton spay/neuter clinic. A team of veterinarians, technicians, and trappers worked to capture, sterilize, vaccinate, and provide essential medical care to the feral cats.

Feral cats often live difficult, short lives on the street. It is common for them to get infected with serious diseases (eg, herpes viral conjunctivitis, feline AIDS, infectious peritonitis), or conditions that can be easily treatable but lead to death because they are not receiving medical care.²

"The partnership between TCAP and these tremendous feral cat organizations exemplifies the power of collaboration in addressing complex animal welfare issues," expressed Katelyn McGuire, MBA, director of operations at TCAP.¹ "By working together, we are significantly impacting the feral cat population, ultimately reducing their suffering and promoting a more balanced coexistence between feral cats and our communities."

TCAP offers low-cost spay, neuter, vaccination, and wellness services to local pets. As part of this, it has a free Feral Fix program, which sterilizes the first 12 feral cats brought in on the clinic's scheduled surgery days. According to the release,¹ to participate in the program, the colony caretaker must agree to get a $5 rabies vaccine for the cat. For this event, though, a mass sterilization was led by the organizations to help make a significant impact on the overpopulation problem while enhancing the felines’ health and well-being.

Each sterilized cat was ear-tipped for simple identification in line with the trap-neuter-return process before being brought back to its original location. This ear tip indicates to those who confront the cat that it is sterilized and no longer contributes to overpopulation. 

"We are thankful for our feral caretakers who help us further our mission to end colony overpopulation across North Texas," added McGuire. "We couldn't make such an impact on the feral cat community without their hard work and dedication. This event was a tremendous success for all involved, and we are looking forward to the next one.” 

References

1. North Texas nonprofits join forces, sterilize over 180 feral cats in four-day initiative. News release. Texas Coalition for Animal Protection. September 29, 2023. Accessed October 2, 2023.
2. Feral cats. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Accessed October 2, 2023. https://www.peta.org/issues/animal-companion-issues/overpopulation/feral-cats