Not a night goes by that I don't hear the violent screams of feral cats in my neighborhood, Harlem. In Harlem, stray cats are a big problem. The streets are mean for these forgotten felines. Now that it is winter, officially, unlike us New York cat owners who can celebrate the solstice snuggled up in our heated apartments, these animals need to fend for themselves outside. These street fighting cats are more prone to disease and lack adequate shelter and food. The average life span of an un-neutered feral cat is 2 years.
Not only is this damaging to the well-being of cats, NYC neighborhoods are negatively impacted by the noise from territorial fighting and violent mating, the odor from un-neutered male cats and the sight of malnourished cats and sadly, animals that ultimately meet their demise.
What can New Yorkers do to help? The New York Feral Cat Initiative has successful program that is effectively reducing the number of strays on our streets called The Trap-Neuter-Release Program (TNR). TNR safely traps, sprays/neuters vaccinates for rabies, ear-tips feral cats and then returns them to their territories. A caretaker is assigned and ensures that the animal has food and shelter whilst keeping an eye out for newcomers that could benefit from TNR. Cats that are tame enough to be adopted our removed and placed in loving homes.
Since these cats can no longer reproduce, this dramatically reduces noise and odor, as well as their wanderlust, making them less visible in the streets.
Have strays or feral cats in your neighborhood and want to help? New York Feral Cats Initiative offers hands-on training, advice, equipment, food donations and referrals to free or low-cost spray/neuter facilities. If you don't have the time, you can donate to this useful cause. For more information go to www.nycferalcat.org or call 212-330-0033.
During these frigid days in NYC remember there are struggling cats out there that need warm shelters, and there are great local organizations to help.
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