Gulf Coast Humane Society begins trap, neuter, release program across county
The Spay and Neuter Clinic at the Gulf Coast Humane Society has announced that it has started a trap, neuter, release (TNR) program. This program is a humane solution to controlling the feral cat population that can cause problems in the community.
Feral cats typically live in colonies, and only 2 percent of feral cats are spayed or neutered. TNR improves the health of females because they are not put through cycles of reproducing.
Spaying or neutering these cats means an end to the cycle of feral kittens being born or being brought into overpopulated shelters. Community morale improves once TNR programs are introduced because mating behaviors, like yowling, spraying, roaming and fighting end.
“TNR is a humane and effective solution to stabilizing the feral cat population. It improves the lives of the cats and is a real benefit to the community,” said Jennifer Galloway, executive director at GCHS.
In addition to spaying or neutering, the clinic will give the cats in this program a rabies vaccine. In order to easily identify that these cats are spayed or neutered, a small, green tattoo will be given near the incision area and a small portion of the left ear will be painlessly removed, called ear tipping.
Appointments for the TNR program can be made by phone at 239-332-1573 or on the website at www.gulfcoasthumanesociety.org under the ‘Our Clinics’ tab. All feral cats must be brought to the clinic in a humane trap, no cat carriers. All cats must spend the night and be picked up the next day at 7:30 a.m.
The Spay & Neuter Clinic has performed over 2,700 surgeries since its opening in August 2015 and over 1,600 this year-to-date. For more information about the clinic, call 239-332-1573 or visit our website at www.gulfcoasthumanesociety.org.
Gulf Coast Humane Society, located at 2010 Arcadia St. in Fort Myers, was established as the first non-profit animal welfare organization in Southwest Florida in 1947. The 501(c)(3) mission is to rescue, provide safe refuge and compassionate care, and find forever homes for abandoned and neglected animals in the area. GCHS only takes in owner surrendered and transfers from other shelters and rescue groups with a high success rate of adoptions.
The veterinary clinic offers a full array of affordable services six days a week and the low-cost, high-quality affordable spay/neuter clinic is open four days a week.
Both clinics are open to the public.