The B.C. SPCA is offering a free clinic on Sunday, Feb. 20 to provide medical services for feral and ownerless cats in the Lower Mainland.
Twenty Greater Vancouver veterinarians and animal health technicians are generously donating their services to spay and neuter an anticipated 70 to 100 cats.
Groups working with feral cats and any member of the public feeding an ownerless, free-roaming cat are invited to participate.
Invitations are also being sent to First Nations communities from Lytton to Greater Vancouver.
The free services being offered include medical examinations, spay/neuter operations, vaccinations, identification tattoos and treatment to address any medical issues the animals may have.
This is the B.C. SPCA’s fifth annual Feral Cat Trap – Neuter – Release Clinic, all of which have been very successful.
Each year, thousands of cats are abandoned by their owners. Many of these animals live short, brutal lives and die from starvation, disease, injury or attack from predators.
Those who survive reproduce rapidly, adding to the population of abandoned animals.
During the clinic, kittens and tamer adult cats with the potential to be re-homed will be identified for adoption and the others will be returned to the custody of their caregivers to managed feral colonies.
Dr. Jamie Lawson, chief animal health officer for the B.C. SPCA, says that while the primary goal of the free clinic is to reduce pet overpopulation and provide care for abandoned cats, he hopes the event will raise awareness about the issue of pet abandonment and the need for all pet owners to spay and neuter their pets.
The Biscuit Fund for Medical Care supports treatment and services, including emergency care, spay/neuter, vaccinations and other treatments needed by homeless and wild animals in our care.
• spca.ca.
