SPCA fixes 62 felines, prevents 'cat explosion' with project
COUNTY - Animal welfare advocates have prevented a "cat explosion" in an area of Bridgewater known for feral or unfixed feline populations by providing a special spay and neuter program.
Lunenburg County's SPCA zeroed in on a small, mostly low-income area of Bridgewater last month where there are colonies of cats living in close proximity.
One of the organization's volunteers said representatives visited homes of the potential cat owners and explained the program to them. Their felines were spayed or neutered for free (essentially at the SPCA's expense) if the owners agreed to participate. Many bought into the concept, resulting in 62 cats having their ears cleaned, getting flea cleaned and being fixed and vaccinated.
Oakland veterinarian Beverly Greenlaw handled the medical aspect of this special project. She was asked by the SPCA to be included. She said most of the female cats identified in that spot in Bridgewater were primed to mate.
"Almost all of them were already in heat and a lot of the male cats were mature toms so we know those females would probably all have been bred," she said in an interview. "So they were already setting themselves up for a cat explosion there."
About three SPCA volunteers, a staff person and Dr. Greenlaw helped out with the project.
"To have a whole entire area taken care of in one setting was what they hoped to accomplish," she added.
"By making sure these cats aren't interacting and breeding and creating more unwanted kittens that there's not enough homes for ... to be able to target a particular community like that was exactly what the SPCA was trying to do and it was done very successfully."
Pet owners need to be aware that spring is coming and female cats will be going into heat, Dr. Greenlaw said, noting that a "tremendous number of kittens" were born last year.
She suggested spaying and neutering prevents the occurrence of large litters of unwanted cats filling already jam-packed animal shelters. Regular checkups to a vet also help move towards a disease- and illness-free pet population.
The likelihood of another fix blitz may depend on available funding. Dr. Greenlaw encourages people to support animal welfare fundraisers.
Published on September 20th, 2010
Employees from home, car and business insurer RSA Canada present a cheque to the NS SPCA for $5,653. The funds were raised during RSA’s 300th birthday celebration where employees volunteered, fundraised and donated items to various local charities. In Halifax and Dartmouth, employees raised more than $11,000, volunteered 1,216 hours and donated in excess of 27,000 items during the 11-week campaign. Pictured: (l to r) Marcie Trudeau, Kelly Munroe, Meaghan Harwood and Glen Bates of RSA present a donation for $5,653 to NS SPCA Metro Shelter director Sandra Flemming (seated) and Patches the dog.
