First 2013 “Fix a Feral Clinic” Sunday, April 7

Trappers needed to help manage colonies and support health of human communities

The Animal Rescue League of Boston is kicking off its 2013 “Fix a Feral Clinics” on Sunday, April 7 at its shelter at 10 Chandler Street in Boston’s South End. This is the first of four clinics in 2013, and the League has the capacity to accept 75 cats for spay/neuter surgery per clinic. To help meet this goal, the League needs to increase the number of trappers it works with in Boston-area neighborhoods.

Why the Animal Rescue League of Boston offers this clinic:

Feral cats live hard lives. By spaying, neutering and releasing them, we help feral cats concentrate on their own welfare instead of on breeding, reproducing and providing for offspring. A huge added benefit to the human community is that nuisance behaviors are greatly reduced. This year we will be offering assistance to caretakers and trappers who do not have a place to house the cats overnight by setting up our garage bay for up to 30 cats per clinic.

Why we need more trappers:

The Fix a Feral Clinic is made possible by a generous anonymous annual gift that was created to improve the welfare of feral communities in the Greater Boston area. One key goal of the grant is to treat 75 cats per clinic, and to do so, we need to broaden our network of trappers. The League only works with trappers who engage in humane trapping practices. Individuals who are interested in becoming a qualified trapper can receive free training by the League by contacting Marianne Gasbarro, Shelter Manager, at feralcatinfo@arlboston.org.

Qualified cats:

Clinics are open to any colony caretaker/trapper with feral cats that need to be spayed or neutered. The clinics are designed for healthy feral cats only. During admission and the veterinary examination, cats are checked for symptoms of disease or injury. If such symptoms are found, the caretaker is advised to bring the cat to his/her own veterinarian for treatment. Caretakers and trappers are screened to ensure that the cats will be released into managed colonies, are not pet cats nor are intended to be adopted into homes.

Cats that do not qualify:

We will not accept cats that appear to be pets, or that do not appear healthy. For example, they may be injured, obviously ill, breathing strangely, etc. In these cases, caretakers and trappers are encouraged to contact our Animal Rescue Services Team at 617.426.9170 or a local emergency veterinary hospital.

Additional clinics will be held on May 5, September 8, and October 20. Please R.S.V.P. for spots at any of these clinics via Marianne Gasbarro, Shelter Manager, at feralcatinfo@arlboston.org.