INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (February 17, 2021) – Pet Friendly Services of Indiana today released a guide to help communities and local animal welfare groups better understand the value of community cat programs that trap-neuter-return (TNR) feral and free-roaming cats. Community Cats, Indiana Municipal Guide for Busy Leaders highlights the benefits of community cat programs to shelters, including cost savings, increased success rates, improved morale, and decreased staff turnover.
“Hoosiers really do love cats, and Indiana ranks in the top 10 states for the number of cat owners,” said Cheri Storms, executive director of Pet Friendly Services. “Lawmakers at the state and local levels have enacted laws in recent years to protect both dogs and cats and to best serve Indiana’s residents. This guide highlights many of these accomplishments and helps other communities and animal welfare groups apply sound animal welfare policy in their own communities.”
The guide provides examples of community cat TNR programs in action and how they benefit the overall community. These programs allow cats to stay where they are, keeping them out of local shelters where they would otherwise use critical resources for animals that are more readily adoptable.
Community cats are the most significant source of cat overpopulation in the U.S. because a relatively small number have been sterilized. Freeing up dollars and space used to shelter community cats that are already living and thriving outdoors can result in a reduction in the number of outdoor cats and better health for them.
The community cat guide also provides details on the financial advantages of TNR programs, which the American Veterinary Medical Association estimates could save local government agencies across the U.S. approximately $9 billion dollars each year. According to the AVMA, TNR programs run by rescue organizations and volunteers can cut the cost of $16 billion for current strategies by more than 50 percent.
The community cat guide can be downloaded from Pet Friendly Services’ website at www.PetFriendlyServices.org/Community-Cats. Other resources for assisting with community cats, including a list of community cat programs around the state, can also be found on this page.
For more information or to support their efforts, visit PetFriendlyServices.org.
About Pet Friendly Services of Indiana
Pet Friendly Services of Indiana is a statewide animal welfare organization whose mission is to eliminate the euthanasia of adoptable cats and dogs through financial assistance, education, and advocacy. Our small team stretches our dollars to serve as many animals as possible and to make permanent changes to benefit cats, dogs, and the people who love them. Pet Friendly Services receives no government funding and relies on donors, grants, fundraising and funds from the Pet Friendly Specialty License Plate. For more information, visit us online at www.PetFriendlyServices.org
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