Feral cat conference-CT

Animal welfare advocates are meeting today to look at ways to reduce the overpopulation of feral cats in Connecticut.
The Animal Welfare Federation of Connecticut estimates a population of 700,000 feral cats in the state. Many have rabies and the number multiplies quickly. Animal welfare advocates from Connecticut and national experts on feral cats will meet at the Courtyard by Marriott in Cromwell to discuss an alternative to euthanizing feral cats. The alternative is called trap-neuter-release, or TNR for short.

Maine, Illinois and Alabama, have TNR programs that neuter feral cats and immunize them against rabies. The cats are then returned to the streets. Experts believe a similar program in Connecticut would cost about 633 thousand dollars a year and would dramatically reduce the number of cats that shelters take in and euthanize. Backers of TNR say the cost of the program could be covered by increasing cat adoption and licensing fees.

http://www.awfct.org/

Does anyone know the outcome of this meeting? Wish I knew I would have gone, I have a colony of 16 cats, all related, I can't afford to do anything, food is running me broke.

Does Connecticut care about cats?

Based on the turnout at the November 12th Connecticut Cares for Cats Conference, the answer is a resounding yes! It was “standing room only†as over 200 animal welfare professionals gathered to hear some of the nationâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s leading experts discuss humane solutions for reducing cat overpopulation in our state.
Attendees represented over 70 shelters and rescues organizations, as well as veterinarians, animal control professionals, individual rescuers and concerned citizens. While most were from Connecticut, some participants traveled from New York, New Jersey, Maryland, District of Columbia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Iowa, Wisconsin, and West Virginia to attend this landmark event.

"We were delighted to have so many representatives from the animal welfare community come together for the common goal of helping cats. This was Connecticutâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s first-ever statewide conference and the turnout proved that we all see the importance of working together to help end cat overpopulation." (Susan Linker, President, Animal Welfare Federation of Connecticut)

What our attendees had to say:

“This was a wonderful conference! I hope to see more like it.†(Greg Simpson, Meriden Humane Society, Inc.)

“It was great to get the chance to meet with other groups so we can band together and accomplish what we canâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t do alone.†(Virginia Van Norden, Forgotten Felines, Inc.)

“Thank you for presenting such a compelling conference with such leading and engaging speakers.†(Ann Bloch)

“Wow, how nice to know that I am not alone in my love and concern for all cats, including strays and ferals. This conference has given me a breath of fresh air and new motivation!†(Janet Skinner, Pawswatch, Inc.)

“This was a tremendous opportunity to meet like-minded, like-hearted people . . . I enjoyed the quality of speakers, coupled with their willingness to share their experience and insights.†(Liz Skrobisch, Pawswatch, Inc.)

“Thank you for making a top-notch gathering affordable!†(Kathy MacPherson)

“Itâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s great to have so many people with a common interest united.†(Jodi Perry, Castaway Cats, Inc.)
Thanks to all of our distinguished speakers:

Becky Robinson, National Director, Alley Cat Allies

Ed Boks, Executive Director, NYC Animal Care & Control

Holly Sizemore, Feral Fix Program Director, Best Friends Animal Society and NMHP Utah

Esther Mechler, Director, SPAY/USA

Bryan Kortis, Executive Director, Neighborhood Cats

Debora M. Bresch, Esq., Legislative Liaison, ASPCA

Stacy LeBaron, President, Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society

Peter Marsh, Esq., Founder, Solutions to Overpopulation of Pets



For more information about the Connecticut Cares for Cats Conference, please contact Tracy Cardarelli at [email protected].

I would contact Tracy to see if she can help you with TNR.

Here is a list of TNR groups in CT:

http://www.alleycat.org/orgs.html#ct

Here is a list of low cost spay clinics:

http://www.lovethatcat.com/spayneuter.html#ct