C.O. Cat Alliance marks one year, 1,000 surgeries
The Central Oregon Cat Alliance, a coalition of local animal welfare groups, held the 6 th and final high volume sterilization clinic of the year on October 26 th . In total, over 1,000 stray and feral cats have been captured, sterilized and re-released through the program since January.
The program was funded by a $20,000 grant from PetSmart Charities. COCA hopes to continue the program with the next clinic planned for February of 2015.
The Central Oregon Cat Alliance will hold a Town Hall style meeting on November 15 th at 6pm in Redmond. The event will take place at the COCC Veterinary Technician classroom, located at 1360 NE Jackpine Dr., near Brightside Animal Center. All who are concerned about the well being of cats in our community, those interested in volunteering and those who have concerns about wildlife or cats in their yards are encouraged to attend.
The Central Oregon Cat Alliance, or COCA, is a partnership between the Humane Society of Central Oregon, Brightside Animal Center, Bend Veterinary Clinic and Bend Spay and Neuter Project.
The group’s mission is to address the stray and feral cat overpopulation problem in Deschutes County through providing targeted, high volume, sterilization clinics for stray and feral cats. All cats are provided with a rabies vaccination and are also eartipped; the practice of removing the tip of the left ear while the cat is under anesthesia to show that it has been fixed.
High-volume sterilization is the most humane and effective method to control feral and stray cat populations. It has been proven successful in communities across the country to reduce the number of cats entering local shelters and stabilize feral cat populations, reducing the impact on wildlife by preventing the continued prolific breeding of cats in the wild.
To volunteer, or if you need assistance with feral or stray cats in your neighborhood please call Bend Spay and Neuter Project at 541-617-1010.
Contact Person: Megan Wellinghoff, 541-728-8085 or meganw@bendsnip.org
