1,000 cats sterilized at Toronto Humane Society

TORONTO, April 16, 2012 /CNW/ - 1,000 homeless cats have now been spayed or neutered by the Toronto Humane Society and the Toronto Feral Cat TNR Coalition. For free.

It's a team effort. THS donates the space, equipment and medical supplies. Dozens of dedicated volunteers - including veterinarians, veterinary technicians and feral cat colony caretakers - donate their time and skills. Week after week dozens of feral cats are spayed or neutered, to prevent another generation of homeless cats living on Toronto's streets.

"A community approach to care is the best way to help the animals," says Dr. Jacques Messier, CEO of the Toronto Humane Society.  "By working with our partners and volunteers we can do so much more than working alone."

Feral cats are the offspring of stray or abandoned cats who are not socialized to humans.  Most cats living on their own are feral and live in groups called colonies.

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is the most efficient and humane way of stabilizing feral cat populations. TNR involves Trapping all of the cats in a colony, having them Neutered and vaccinated and then Returning them to their territory. The returned cats are ear-tipped to identify them as sterilized, provided with regular food and shelter, and monitored by a caretaker. Whenever possible, kittens and socialized adults are rescued from the streets and re-homed.

Quick facts:

• Toronto has an estimated 100,000 to 300,000 feral and homeless cats
• 3 out of every 4 kittens born on the street die before the age of six months
• Roughly 80% of kittens brought to shelters are born to feral or stray cats

Learn more about how to help feral cats at the Toronto Humane Society Open House:

Sunday, April 29
10:00am - 6:00pm
11 River Street

About The Toronto Humane Society:

The mission of the Toronto Humane Society is to promote the humane care and protection of all animals and to prevent cruelty and suffering. The Toronto Humane Society provides high quality care to the animals who are surrendered to the shelter and finds them forever homes as quickly as possible. The Toronto Humane Society receives no government funding.

Barbara Steinhoff
Communications Manager
416-392-2273 Ext. 2149 
[email protected]