Flagler Humane Society celebrates National Feral Cat Day with low cost clinic

PALM COAST, Fla. - Oct. 7, 2014 - PRLog -- Flagler Humane Society will be celebrating National Feral Cat on Oct. 16, 2014, with a low cost sterilization clinic. It will offer feral cat neuters for $5 and feral cat spays for $15. This will be honored for the first 75 feral cats dropped off that morning. The feral cats can also receive a rabies vaccine for an additional $5.

"I am very proud and excited about being part of National Feral Cat Day as spay and neutering is the most effective way to manage pet overpopulation," said Dr. Gary Shelton, FHS board president. "FHS does offer low cost spay and neuter surgeries all year round, but this is a great way for people to learn about feral cats and how to deal with them."

Those looking to have a feral cat spayed or neutered will need to be at Flagler Humane Society by 8:30 am on Oct. 16. The discounted rates will be limited to the first 75 feral cats brought in. The cats must be feral or strays to be eligible for the discounted rates. Feral cats must me in a trap or wire crate and will have their ears notched during surgery.

"A cat with a notched ear, especially a feral, lets animal services know that cat has been spayed or neutered and more than likely vaccinated," said Amy Carotenuto, FHS executive director. "It's fairly painless for the cat and they don't notice any difference. We tell folks it's like having their ear pierced."

Many objectionable behaviors go away after cats have been spayed or neutered including yowling, fighting, roaming and spraying. A few neighborhood cats can help prevent others from moving in and with rodent control. Many homeless cats are referred to as "ferals", but they often fall into different categories. Some are born outdoors and have had little contact with humans, some are friendly and depend on people for food and others are strays or abandoned pets whose families left them behind.

There are several resources if you need help trapping and transporting cats. Palm Coast residents can call Palm Coast Animal Control at(386) 986-2520 (tel:%28386%29%20986-2520) or Community Cats of Palm Coast at (386) 237-7690 (tel:%28386%29%20237-7690). If you live in Flagler County and outside of Palm Coast call Flagler Animal Services at (386) 445-1188 (tel:%28386%29%20445-1188).

Flagler Humane Society is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1980 with the mission of taking in and caring for homeless animals and finding them forever homes.