At Fauquier SPCA, the fix is in

By Kelly Alm

Volunteers sterilize 372 feral cats on Sunday

By Kelly Alm

Times-Democrat Staff Writer

Last weekend, Fauquier SPCA staff and a handful of area veterinarians traded their Sunday leisure time to spend the morning with 68 feral cats.

Last year, the SPCA would have euthanized these cats within three days, regardless of health or, usually, age. However, because of an ambitious new “Trap, Neuter and Release” (TNR) program, the cats are receiving post-operative care after being spayed or neutered on Sunday.

Like many animal shelters, the local SPCA previously relied on euthanasia to help control the feral cat population in the county. Within just five generations, one male and one female cat can create a population explosion of nearly 21,000 descendants.

And, according to Fauquier SPCA Director Judy Hagerman, “feral cats aren’t adoptable. I know, I’ve tried.”

There is typically only an eight-week window in which kittens born to feral mothers can be socialized for adoption, meaning that feral kittens older than two months are often euthanized, as well.

When the SPCA received a huge number cats in September 2007, forcing staff to euthanize an abnormally high number of animals, the employees' spirits sank to an all-time low.

“We didn’t have enough space,” said Hagerman. “We were euthanizing so many we were taking them out in trash bags. It was terribly demoralizing for our vet-technicians.”

Hagerman became determined to find an alternative. After research, and with the support of the board, the SPCA began the “Trap, Neuter and Return Program,” in January. Under the program, feral cats are sterilized, given rabies vaccinations and parasite prevention, and returned to their original locations.

The SPCA combined its resources with the Middleburg Humane Foundation and CauseFurPaws Foundation to locate vets, technicians and helpers to volunteer their time and skills

Bethesda-based, Alley Cat Allies, which has advocated and taught TNR program methods for years, invited the SPCA staff and volunteers to attend training clinics, where they learned about new surgical techniques and proper drugs and dosages that will help ensure efficiency and quality as they sterilize feral cats en masse.

Since January, the SPCA has conducted six spay/neuter clinics, spaying a total of 204 female cats and neutering 168 male cats. Of the 204 females, 65 were already pregnant.

Not only will the cats’ inability to reproduce naturally reduce the population of feral cats in Fauquier over time, but according to Fauquier SPCA Community Relations Manager Caroline Folker, it will also help prevent inbreeding and the proliferation of disease among feral cat colonies.

Before implementing this program, the SPCA found that removing a feral cat colony from a specific area often meant another cat colony would move in. This is no longer a problem.

“Neutered cats are still very territorial” Folker said. “Releasing them back to the same place stops other cats from moving in, keeping the colony controlled.”

If you are a veterinarian or vet technician and are willing to help, contact Caroline Folker at (540) 788-9000 or by e-mail at cfolker@fauquierspca.com

If you would like to make a donation, visit www.fauquierspca.com .