C.A.T.S. Program Update

C.A.T.S. (Cats Are Treated Sensibly) is a FREE spay and neuter program initiated by Jean Laffin of Akwesasne and Lois Lancette of Fort Covington back in 2008. This program assists in reducing an overpopulation of cats in Akwesasne and Fort Covington and is available also to cats’ caretakers with employment in the two communities. In February of this year Lois asked the SRMT Animal Control Officer, Jennifer Herne, if she would be interested in continuing the program, and I have been volunteering my time to the cause since last March.

Community and visiting donors contribute mainly via the C.A.T.S. cans placed in Akwesasne and Fort Covington businesses. Barbara Taylor created those cute, fluffy cans that everyone likes, specially the kids. As of October 25, 2011 donated funds have provided spay and neuter surgeries for 59 cats since the beginning of the year, for a total of 135 cats so far. A lot of people have been calling about having stray cats done, which is wonderful.

If you have a cat or cats six months or older and weighing at least four pounds, C.A.T.S. will pay for the spay or neuter surgery that will lengthen your cat’s life. A PREGNANT CAT CAN BE SPAYED. Just call me at 1-315-296-3232 to register. If you have a business and are interested in having a C.A.T.S. donation can at your store, I will be happy to set it up for you. Donations can also be sent to P.O. Box 12, Fort Covington, NY 12937.

I want to thank all businesses that accepted to have a donation can in display, the people who donated, the cat owners who signed their cat up for the program, the people who took the time to have strays and feral cats spayed and neutered, and Java Veterinary Center in Massena (formerly Linder Vet Clinic), who has been collaborating with C.A.T.S. since day one. A special thank you also goes to the SRMT Animal Control Dept. who organized a bake sale to benefit the spay and neutering of cats and dogs in Akwesasne ~ it was a success!

Donations are always needed since we have been trying to keep up with a prolific “Kitten Season”. Thank you all for caring.

Kaly White

C.A.T.S. Program Coordinator

(315) 296-3232

[email protected]

Facebook page: Cats Spayneuter