NYC Eartips: Fall 2008

The ASPCA Bergh Memorial Mass Spay Day — YAY!

by Meredith Weiss, NYC Feral Cat Initiative

Having worked in the field of TNR in New York City for nine years, I'm more than familiar with the loudest cry of my fellow trappers and rescuers: more free spay/neuter services, please! While those of us who have been doing this for awhile duly acknowledge that, as a city, we've come a long way, we still need more — until that elusive day when responsible pet ownership (or guardianship, if you prefer) takes a stronger foothold, resulting in fewer cats left to reproduce prolifically and fend for themselves on the streets.

Finally, our cries and pleas have been answered, and we're all thrilled! Heaps of thanks and kudos to Aimee Hartmann, Director of the ASPCA Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinics. Aimee conceived and implemented a new monthly program at the ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital for mass spay/neuter of feral and rescued cats. We're approaching our fourth month and, if the past three are any indication, it's a wonderful, well-run, much-appreciated addition to the ASPCA's mobile clinic and other free and low-cost NYC spay/neuter services.

On September 7, 2008, the ASPCA Mass Spay/Neuter program was launched with 71 eager (well…) participants. Yes, 71 cats from four different rescue groups filed into Bergh in their traps and carriers for their big day. About half were ferals who were returned to their colonies after recovery, where they are fed and sheltered by caretakers. The rest were kittens or friendly strays who went into foster care for later adoption. On this flagship day, all services, including the SNAP test for FIV, FeLV, and heartworm, and Revolution for fleas, were offered at no charge.

As the cats came into the receiving room, the ASPCA intake forms were filled out and numbered, and on top of each trap or carrier we placed the pertinent information for that cat in a baggie, with a numbered index card and the treatment and protocol for that particular cat. In addition, we put the same number on a soft collar around the cat's neck shortly after the anesthesia was given. The baggie travelled to the surgery suite along with the cat, and back again after recovery. This way we insured that the right cat would be returned to the right trap or carrier. As volunteers retrieved the cats after surgery, it was easy to match the number on the collar (which was removed as the cat was placed into the trap) with the number of the index card and form.

It was truly inspirational, and a testament to everyone's desire to make this a success, to see how well people worked together on this pilot project. From showing up at 7:30 on a Sunday morning and working a long nine-hour day, to rolling with the occasional punch and overcoming any slight glitch, there was an unmistakable feeling of camaraderie among the group, including Jesse Oldham (ASPCA staff), Diane Wilkerson (ASPCA staff), Meredith Weiss (Feral Cat Initiative staff), and volunteers Anna Rizzo, Matt Feinstein, and Claudia Sanchez.

And then, the superb ASPCA veterinary contingent: Karina Antorbeza (surgery LVT), Natalia Popik (surgery LVT), Maria Ciullo (recovery LVT), Chris Fagan (recovery ACT), Anya Hayes (BMAH LVT), Dr. Francsico DiPolo (surgeon), Dr. Mary Harrison (surgeon), and Dr. Lori Bierbrier (neuter doctor). Everyone worked tirelessly and with sustained good humor. The program's Director, ASPCA's Aimee Hartmann, was everywhere making sure the ground-breaking day went smoothly.

Many thanks, too, to Teresa Noto, a rescuer from Bronx Tails, who brought 15 cats and, in the middle of the day, when we were all feeling a bit fatigued and famished, brought delicious pizza for all. More thanks to Patrick O'Keefe, Margaret McLaughlin, Dr. Louise Murray, and Dr. Karen Cherrone for giving us this opportunity and to Dr. Kathleen Makolinski for her incredible help on the front end.

Could we top this, we wondered? The second ASPCA Mass Spay Day was October 12. This time, cats were brought by five different rescue groups, and there were more of them: 120 to be exact. Wow! Again, the same crew, all feeling a bit more seasoned yet still excited, but this time we encountered a slight morning snafu: no elevators! Can you imagine carrying 120 cats in traps and carriers upstairs? No problem! Everyone helped, handing off the cats fireman-style, and before we knew it, the patients were safely upstairs. We all benefited from a little extra exercise that day. Not a whimper of a complaint, not even from the slightly jostled cats, who seemed to know that in the end all would be well.

At the November 9 clinic, another 100 cats were spayed or neutered. Now we're into December; the next clinic will be held on December 14. We hope this amazing and much-needed program will continue — and even expand — offering more rescuers excellent veterinary services for the still-too-many stray and feral cats roaming our streets. It's a huge step forward — and we all want to shout out a loud thank you to the ASPCA!