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Spring 2006                                                 

A Quarterly Newsletter Produced by IndyFeral Inc.                                            

IndyFeral Inc. is a resource for caretakers and friends of strays & ferals in central Indiana.

www.indyferal.org  

IndyFeral Implements Trap-Neuter-Return with Indianapolis Animal Care and Control

The recent ordinance revisions from the City of Indianapolis will allow IndyFeral to work in partnership with Indianapolis Animal Care and Control officers and the public on a broader scale. The goal is to promote uniform standards of care for free-roaming cat colonies while still mitigating cat nuisance complaints.

Partnering with IACC

IACC officer Katie Sweeney is the new TNR/IndyFeral liaison. She is currently completing TNR training with IndyFeral.

Sweeney graduated from Purdue University in May 2004 with a B.S. in Animal Science and a concentration in Pre-Veterinary Medicine. She started working for Indianapolis Animal Care and Control in July 2004 as an Animal Control Officer, which led her to IndyFeral and TNR in December of 2005. 

Sweeney and IndyFeral president Lisa Tudor will be working together in the field to educate the public and increase awareness about TNR. In addition, they will be developing tools and training material geared specifically toward animal control officers.

Education, understanding the nature of feral cats, and utilizing humane deterrents must be provided to the public and to animal control officers if feral cats are ever to be accepted in the mainstream public humane programs and allow for the paradigm shift from trap  and kill to non-lethal control.

Supporting TNR

IndyFeral received a $20,000 grant from PetSmart Charities that will be used to offer 800 spay-neuter surgeries for unowned, free-roaming cats in designated zip codes.

IndyFeral and Indianapolis Animal Care and Control (IACC) have targeted three high-priority zip codes located on the near East side of the city which have a disproportionately high number of free-roaming cats. Those zip codes are 46201, 46203 and 46219.

“IndyFeral and IACC’s collaboration is a great example of taking the initiative to improve the local community,” Patty Finch, Grants Manager for PetSmart Charities, said. “Targeted programs like these are making a huge impact on pet overpopulation nationwide.”

Help Spread TNR

Door hangers are now being used as a tool by animal care and control officers  and neighborhood groups to help increase the awareness of TNR. The door hangers are a great way to let people who are feeding strays learn about TNR. 

IndyFeral is specifically looking for volunteers to help pass out door hangers in the 46201, 46203 and 46219 zip codes to help promote the free surgeries available from the grant. If you are interested, please email Amelda@indyferal.org. 

CAPTION: IACC officer Katie Sweeney is the new TNR/IndyFeral liaison. Photo by Greg Brush. Copyright 2005 IndyFeral, Inc.

City Council Recognizes IndyFeral’s Efforts

The Indianapolis City Council passed a special resolution last month recognizing IndyFeral for receiving a $20,000 grant from PetSmart Charities to support the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) ordinance.

IndyFeral president Lisa Tudor, vice president Greg Brush and spayday intake volunteer Kathleen Egan were present at the session March 27.

The Council applauded IndyFeral for striving to improve the lives of feral and stray cats and promoting ideals that are more reflective of a caring and humane community.

The Council congratulated IndyFeral for receiving the grant which will be used to offer 800 spay/neuter surgeries for un-owned free-roaming cats in managed colonies. 

Kitten Season Is Here Again

What That Means and What You Can Do

Excerpted from “Baby Boom: Coping with Kitten Season,” by Rebecca Simmons, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).

It’s the time of year when cats give birth, flooding animal shelters across the nation with homeless litters. Kitten “season” is really three seasons in one, starting in spring, peaking in late spring or early summer, and ending in fall.

Domino Effect

So why does kitten season occur? “The warm weather coincides with female cats’ heat cycles,” says Cory Smith, program manager of animal sheltering issues at The HSUS. “When female cats go into heat, male cats come running from near and far. Cats’ reproductive hormones are very powerful.”

And no matter where the cats are, they don’t have far to go. “In every community in the nation, there is an over-abundance of unsterilized cats both owned and un-owned, says Smith. “A frenzy of mating takes place each year.”

The easiest way to help reduce the overwhelming numbers of unwanted cats is to spay and neuter your own cat and encourage others to do the same.

Unaltered cats are driven by their hormones and tend to sneak outdoors primarily in search of a mate. Mating just once can start a domino effect that can result in dozens, even hundreds or thousands of unwanted animals,” Smith said.

These unwanted cats and kittens, when not left on the street to fend for themselves, often turn up in high volume at the local animal shelter.

Shelter Strain

Kitten season presents many challenges for shelter staff and the cats in their care. Resources already hard to come by—like food, money and space—are often stretched to their limit as shelters, that often take in thousands of animals every year, are inundated with homeless cats.

Typically, the adult cats feel the most immediate effects, as they are often overlooked by potential adopters when kittens are in abundance. As shelters struggle to accommodate as many cats as possible, the risk of illness also increases.

“As we reach our capacity, the close quarters cause the cats additional stress, and they begin to spread germs, get sick—and the whole population suffers,” says Corbin.

An End in Sight?

The vast numbers of cats that shelters accommodate across the nation during kitten season will not drop overnight. But there are many ways to help reduce cat overpopulation and to bring much-needed relief to the animals, and to the people, affected by kitten season.

For the complete article and more information on pet concerns, please visit http://www.hsus.org/pets/issues_affecting_our_pets/.

Rebecca Simmons is the Outreach Communications Coordinator for Companion Animals at The HSUS.

How to Get Involved

Spay/neuter your pet cats

For more information, please call Spay Neuter Services of Indiana (SNSI) (317) 767-7771 or FACE Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic (317) 638-3223.

Help your city shelter

Donate supplies, be a foster parent, send money or volunteer your time. Please call Indianapolis Animal Care & Control for details (317) 327-1397.

Care for feral cats in your neighborhood

Can’t catch the neighbor-hood mama cat? Feeding a stray cat? Call IndyFeral (317) 596-2300.

Adopt an Adult Cat

Open your home to a new cat or adopt a playmate for your existing pets. Visit Indianapolis Animal Care & Control or call (317) 327-1397.

CAPTION: Feral kittens at play. Kitten “season” is really three seasons in one, starting in Spring, peaking in late Spring or early Summer, and ending in Fall. The easiest way to help reduce the numbers of unwanted cats is to spay and neuter your own cat and encourage others to do the same. Photos by Kerry Helfner. Copyright 2005 

FeralPhoto Contest

December Grand Prize Winners

IndyFeral congratulates the December grand prize Feral Photo Contest winners: Dale Lane and Cathy Babcock. Both winners receive an IndyFeral t-shirt of their choice.

To help spread the word about TNR and to help people understand the life of a cat in a managed feral colony, IndyFeral is promoting an ongoing Feral Photo Contest, calling for photographs showing ear-tipped cats in any setting.

Each month, we will select two grand prize photos. The judging will take place at IndyFeral monthly board meetings.

The grand prize winners will receive an IndyFeral t-shirt (choice of available colors and sizes).

Each IF quarterly newsletter will feature two new grand prize winners.

Submitted photos will be used in internet, electronic and print publications to promote TNR, IndyFeral and the welfare of free-roaming cats. All photos will be credited.

How to Enter

Please visit our website at: www.indyferal.org for complete rules and instructions for submission, or write to IndyFeral.

After you have entered the contest online, you may send photos through the website or mail to:

IndyFeral Inc.
Feral Photo Contest
P.O. Box 30054
Indianapolis, IN 46230-0054

CAPTION: (Left) “This is Tiggy, adopted from IndyFeral as a kitten by my wife Margi. She earned her name from the way she seemed to bounce around the house and because of her beautiful coat. As you can see, sometimes she bounces so high she lands in trees. We limit her outdoor time and it’s always supervised. . . . We’ve enjoyed our IndyFeral cat!”  -Dale Lane. Photo by Dale Lane. Copyright 2005.

(Right) “We recently took Tiger in to Maureen for an absessed paw. Here, he is feeling better and enjoying our flower pots!”  ­Cathy Babcock. Photo by Cathy Babcock. Copyright 2005.

Adopt an Adult Cat from IACC

Did you know you can adopt a cat from Indianapolis Animal Care & Control (IACC)?

There are many benefits to adopting an adult cat. The best reason is that you are literally saving a life.

Because most people want to adopt kittens, a cat’s choices for adoption decreases with age. Sadly, many older cats at shelters are euthanized.

IACC shelter manager Kirsten Vantoud said, “I encourage friends and neighbors to adopt from IACC or other shelters. I ask folks to consider a shelter/resuce animal first because their need is greatest.

“We have some really awesome animals. These cats need to be in a home and will make wonderful pets if someone would give them a chance.” IACC staff can help you in finding your perfect “cat” match.

There is a low pet adoption fee of $60 which includes a health evaluation, spay/neuter procedure, age-appropriate vaccinations (except for the rabies vaccination), heartworm or feline leukemia/FIV screenng, and identification microchip.

Animal Care & Control
2600 South Harding St.
Indianapolis, IN  46221 

Shelter Hours:
Weekdays: 10am - 6pm
Wed: 10am - 7pm
Sat: 10am - 4pm
Closed: Sun & Holidays 

Phone: (317) 327-1397
Fax: (317) 327-1390

Website: accd@indygov.org

CAPTION: The best reason to adopt an adult cat is that you are literally saving a life. IACC staff can help you find your perfect “cat” match. Photo by Ana Radovanovic. Copyright 2005 IndyFeral Inc.

City of Lawrence Passes Trap-Neuter-Return Ordinance

The City of Lawrence voted March 6 to allow for Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) in their city. Proposal Number Four (4) passed unanimously allowing for the registration, caretaking, feeding, vaccination and TNR of free-roaming   cats in managed colonies. IndyFeral will serve as the city’s official TNR designee. 

IndyFeral will work directly with Lawrence Animal Control officers Pam Dean and Steve Hodgen.

The net result to the city of Lawrence will be a reduction of free-roaming cat nuisance calls, cat impounds and euthanasia.

At the same time, it provides ACC a non-lethal tool for the control of the free-roaming cat population, which the public overwhelming supports.

Annual Report 2005

Surgeries
January 1 thru December 31, 2005: 2,239. Of these surgeries, 231 were free to low-income caretakers.

Colony Count
1,076, as of December 31, 2005.

Food Program
IndyFeral distributed 10,849 pounds of cat food (canned and dry). Food distribution doubled from 5280 pounds in 2004. The Program provides food to low-income caretakers to feed feral cats in need.

Shelter Program