Whether you can help only occasionally or on a regular basis, we look forward to meeting you and sharing information on all the good work we do.
Your donations go to help in the costs associated with our Trap-Neuter-Return program. To learn more about what we do and how you can help.
An ordinance revision that allows Trap-Neuter-Return as a way for our community to manage the population of local stray and unowned cats was recently passed by Louisville Metro Council.
The key aspect of the ordinance revision is the division of our local cat population into owned cats (identified by tag or microchip or owner statements) and all other cats (those stray and unowned), now called community cats. To read a copy of the resolution and specific ordinance revisions, click here
So what does this mean for the cats in our community? Two wonderful things result from this change. For the community cats, they are freed from ordinance provisions that resulted in them being routinely sheltered at Metro Animal Services and then, unfortunately, euthanized. And for owned cats, the presence of a reduced number of cats at the shelter (only those surrendered by owners, the injured and the sick) should allow resources to be shifted so that those who truly do need shelter and care are able to receive it.
So, WELCOME to our new world! And let the lifesaving begin!
One hundred forty-two cats visited the BIG FIX on April 15. And what lucky cats they were! All (except the baby kittens!) left with flea treatment, clean ears, a nice brushing, a rabies vaccination, a penicillan injection, and, of course, that spay or neuter and ear-tip! And a bonus: Alley Cat Advocates also vaccinated against panleukopenia (“distemper”) and two upper respiratory viruses (“colds” to you and me) with a vaccine typically referred to as FVRCP. These kitties are now ready for just about everything!
The breakdown:
Females – 53
Males – 60
Already altered (YEAH!) – 5
Too sick – 1
Too small (baby kittens!) – 23
As sometimes, although rarely, happens . . . . unfortunately, one of the kitty’s in our care had a bad reaction to the sedation drugs and her heart stopped. It is always a horrible event and our vets tried their best to revive her but it was not possible. As is our standard procedure, we thoroughly reviewed our procedures and sent her body to be studied to see what might have gone wrong. Nothing concrete was found so an allergic reaction to the sedation drug is suspected. While it makes us want to stop ever doing this work again, we turn our attention back to all those we are helping and pick up and start again. If 2012 is a typical year, we will have a total of two die . . . . and 2000 live. We must continue on!!!!
We’re currently looking for volunteers to help with our next BIG FIX, which is scheduled for Sunday, May 20.
Mating season is REALLY here and we’re trying to get these kitties to STOP IT! And we know how! Current volunteers can call or e-mail us at contactus@alleycatadvocates.orgif you are able to help.
For those new to the process, the BIG FIX starts with a call to our hotline from a caretaker (someone taking care of an outdoor cat). Caretakers may be caring for one cat or 30! Most caretakers are able to provide food, water, and shelter for the unowned cats in their area. The only thing missing is spaying and neutering and this is where the BIG FIX comes into play. If you are interested in helping but not yet a volunteer, check our link under Volunteers for new volunteer orientations or e-mail us at contactus@alleycatadvocates.org.
Alley Cat Advocates Expands Services for Free Spay/Neuter of Unowned, Free-Roaming Cats
$75,000 Grant from PetSmart Charities® continues to help reduce overpopulation problems
Louisville, Kentucky (April 2, 2012) In 2010, Alley Cat Advocates received a $75,000 grant to increase the number of free spay/neuter surgeries for unowned, free-roaming cats. As the end of the grant period nears, the organization is expanding its coverage area by two zip codes. The organization’s 12 year-old sterilization program proactively fights the area’s dire cat overpopulation problem by spaying and neutering stray cats.
After seeing success in the original 40215 zip code, the program is expanding to include Louisville’s 40208 and 40214 zip codes. Louisville Metro Animal Services helped the organization identify areas with a high number of stray cats. “Our officers and animal care staff see a large number of stray cats entering our facility from these pockets in our community,” said Justin Scally, director of Louisville Metro Animal Services. “We will continue to help Alley Cat Advocates monitor the numbers because we know the work they do will reduce the number of stray cats we see on a daily basis.”
“We are excited to increase the coverage area for free spay/neuter surgeries and look forward to continuing our collaboration with Louisville Metro Animal Services, an agency that shares our goal of eliminating the euthanasia of healthy cats in our community,” said Karen Little, executive director and co-founder of Alley Cat Advocates. “We have had great success with our Alley Cat Neighborhoods Program and believe that it will become a model for other organizations across the country.”
“Alley Cat Advocates’ Alley Cat Neighborhoods Program is an excellent example of collaboration,” said Susana Della Maddalena, executive director of PetSmart Charities, Inc. “Partnerships like these are the key to successful, low-cost spay/neuter in local communities.”
Call 502-634-8777 or e-mail us at contactus@alleycatadvocates.org for more information.
Written By: Cindy Lamb
The Highlander
“The worst sin towards our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them; that’s the essence of inhumanity.” – George Bernard Shaw
Each month in Louisville, scores of veterinarians and volunteers are recruited as weekend warriors for a strategic spay and neuter clinic, better known as the “Big Fix,” initiated by the nonprofit organization Alley Cat Advocates. Planned for 13 weekends throughout the calendar year, the work of capturing and registering felines on a Friday and Saturday culminates on a Sunday when an industrial warehouse becomes a makeshift OR. Read More