Home > Out of the Cage! > November/December 2005 > NYC Feral Cat Council: NYC Feral Cat Initiative Reports First-Year Success

NYC Feral Cat Council

NYC Feral Cat Initiative Reports First-Year Success

by Valerie Sicignano, TNR Coordinator, NYC Feral Cat Initiative

The NYC Feral Cat Initiative, a program of the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals and adminstered by Neighborhood Cats, had an outstanding first year and will continue through 2006. As of the end of November 2005, the Initiative has assisted in the neutering of more than 1,000 cats, including 800 ferals returned to their colonies and 200 rescued kittens and domestic strays. In addition, the Initiative has provided guidance via phone or email to more than 1,100 people, and has sent two dozen trained, experienced "TNR Coaches" to assist on Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) projects in all five boroughs of New York City.

The program operates by referring people who want to help the cats to TNR workshops, which are taught twice monthly at the ASPCA. The program then provides them with free support services, including a "TNR Coach" to assist with trapping on the first day, equipment loans, and free spay/neuter provided by the ASPCA Cares mobile Spay/Neuter Van, which travels to all five boroughs.

Evon H., of Bronx, NY, summed up her experience with the Initiative: "Thank you for providing workshops and information. Since I took the TNR workshop, I have found the confidence and resources to be able to make a difference on my block. It is pretty easy to TNR if you know what to do!"

The NYC Feral Cat Initiative has gained national attention and support, including a $2,500 grant from In Defense of Animals (IDA), and articles in Pet Savers magazine and the Best Friends newsletter. One rescued kitten named Esau even made an appearance on the CBS Sunday morning news!

If you'd like to learn more about the NYC Feral Cat Initiative of the Mayor's Alliance, access information about upcoming training workshops, and/or request assistance in a TNR project, please visit the NYC Feral Cat Council web site at www.nycferalcat.org.

Valerie Sicignano oversees the NYC Feral Cat Initiative, a program of the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals that is administered by Neighborhood Cats. She is also the Director of Companion Animal Outreach for In Defense of Animals. Valerie is the first recipient of the Manhattan Pet Gazette's "Animal Guardian" Award.