T-N-R_update

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Oak Hill is the Alabama’s smallest incorporated town. Mayor Fuller wanted to help the cats of Oak Hill which has a population of only 37 so the cats literally outnumber the residents. This is a synopsis of the events and groups that came together to help Oak Hills cats. This is truly Trap-Neuter-Return in action.

It is 1:20 p.m. and it has been a fantastic day so far. We picked up 33 cats from Mayor Fuller this morning about 7:00 a.m. We have eight surgeries left; therefore, we plan to return the cats earlier than anticipated this afternoon. At the end of the day, we had performed 18 spays and 15 neuters. Eleven cats were 5lbs or less, 19 cats were between 6 and 8lbs, and 3 cats were between 9 and 12lbs.”

Everyone appeared to be in very good health, with the exception of two (low weight, adult cats with mouth ulcers and eye, nose, and mouth discharge). Drs. Davidson and Byars tested those two and they both tested negative for FIV/FeLV. When we returned the cats, I commented on their health to Mayor Fuller and he indicated that he had been putting amoxicillin in their food because he noticed the discharge our doctors were concerned about.

We also treated six cats for a variety of puncture wounds, scraps, and abscesses. Much to our surprise, not a single female was pregnant, nor did we have any cryptorchid males.”

“We went back down to Oak Hill yesterday and assisted Mayor Fuller and his wife with the release of 33 cats. It was a grand event culminating a textbook mass trapping project. I believe this is a first for the state of Alabama in that it involved six non-profit organizations coming together with the mayor of a small made town working together to use a proven humane solution to stop the increase in the number of cats in the Oak Hill Colony. I think that the remoteness of Oak Hill provided an additional challenge in that it is 75 miles from the clinic performing the surgeries and 175 miles from the groups providing the traps and technical support. We plan to use the success of this collaborative effort to demonstrate to everyone in Alabama, city and county government especially, how TNR can save taxpayer dollars and animals lives. Thanks and congratulations to all involved, especially to Mayor Fuller and the Town of Oak Hill.”

Final update I provided John Davis with Alley Cat Allies, the organization that funded the surgeries.

· Donald Kendrick with Spay Alabama and representatives from MomaCat Rescue delivered the traps and provided Mayor Fuller with training.

· The training was superior and Mayor Fuller was an exceptional student – 25 cats were in traps the first day the traps were put out. Mayor Fuller had cats in traps while he was still trying to get all the traps out on his property!

· SPAY Alabama, Greater Birmingham Humane Society, Alabama Spay/Neuter Clinic and MomaCat Rescue loaned the traps.

· Alabama Animal Alliance Spay/Neuter Clinic donated their time and FIXIT Waggin’ Transport vehicle to transport the animals to and from Oak Hill.

· Donald Kendrick left Mayor Fuller with a few traps to continue trapping. Mayor Fuller plans to bring the cats to the Alabama Animal Alliance Spay/Neuter Clinic once he has the traps full. This TNR Project is not over.

For more information on contact:

Rachel S. Tears, Ph.D., MBA

President and Executive Director

Alabama Animal Alliance Spay/Neuter Clinic

5316 Atlanta Highway - Montgomery, AL 36109

Office: 334-239-7387 - Fax: 334-239-7393

www.alabamaspayneuter.com