News
emanciPET Spay/Neuter Clinic for Hays County Feral Cats a Success
February 19, 2007, 12:0AM MT
By Jennifer S Hayes
It ran like a well oiled machine.
It ran like a well oiled machine. How else can you explain over 50 cats arriving, being processed, undergoing sterilization surgery, recovering, and being picked up by their trappers, in addition to clinic setup and take down, all in less than 12 hours. This is just a typical day for emanciPET employees, who accomplish this feat six days a week in an effort to end pet overpopulation.
This past weekend, emanciPET successfully spayed and neutered 53 cats at the first-ever free sterilization clinic for Hays County ferals. emanciPET Founder and Medical Director, Dr. Ellen Jefferson, stated that “Based on the cats spayed today, we prevented the births of at least 200 homeless kittens within the next two months.” Not only were all the cats fixed free of charge, but each was also given FVRCP, feline leukemia and rabies vaccinations, post-operative pain medication, and an ear tip, used to visually identify those ferals that have already been fixed.
Ferals are cats that have received little to no socialization with people, and are therefore wild animals. Without population control, their numbers can increase exponentially; however, many people maintain groups of feral cats, called colonies, and practice TNR (trap, neuter, and release). In turn, these colonies help to control pests, such as rodents and snakes. The trappers do this at their own expense, which can become quite considerable when paying for food and sterilization of large colonies. That is where the assistance of an organization like emanciPET is crucial. This is “the first step in making all of Hays County more feral friendly,” said Lilia Hughes, a participant who live-trapped and brought 2 cats to the clinic.
Though emanciPET is Austin based, their mobile clinic allows them to bring affordable surgeries to house pets and ferals in surrounding counties. The van travels to Kyle, San Marcos, Wimberley, Dripping Springs, and many other area towns on a regular basis. Though the main focus of emanciPet is providing low-cost (ranging from $22-$36) spays and neuters, when performing the surgeries, additional services such as vaccinations and testing are also offered.
“We are very pleased with the volunteer and trapper turnout. And we are really thankful to Kyle PAWS for hosting us and excited about doing it again” said Amy Mills, the emanciPET Executive Director. Spay and neuter clinics like this support dog and cat population controls. “We hope that with emanciPET’s continued efforts, that we’ll soon see a significant drop in shelter intakes and euthanasia” said Sally Lucker, a long-time trapper and member of Shadow Cats Rescue, who herself brought 7 cats to the clinic. Scenarios like this help to save county money, and prevent Animal Control from being called on to capture ferals, only to have them killed at the taxpayer’s expense.
However, providing such events is not without cost. emanciPET is a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency and relies on monetary donations and volunteer assistance to continue their work. Donations of supplies are also greatly appreciated and this free clinic would not have been possible if not for the generous contributions of medical supplies from Butler Animal Health and vaccines from Fort Dodge. emanciPET Fundraising Liaison, Pat Mercado, said “ongoing fundraising efforts will help us to do this again in the near future.” Those interested in financially supporting endeavors such as this, or volunteering much needed time and assistance, may visit their website, www.emanciPET.org , for more information on how to help.
For more information, contact:
emanciPET
7201 Levander Loop, Building #605, Austin, Texas 78702
512-587-SPAY (7729)
By Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends Texas Community Team Leader
Photo by Jennifer Hayes showing Dr. Ellen Jefferson performing a spay surgery on feral cat, Gracie.
Posted by Jennifer Hayes