Everett, Wash.
Published: Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Feral cat project plans big day

The Lynnwood clinic hopes to offer 100 spay and neuter surgeries Thursday.

By Gale Fiege
Herald Writer

 LYNNWOOD -- During the past 11 years, the regional Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Project has spayed or neutered more than 45,000 cats in its effort to save the lives of homeless felines but limit the population of the free-roaming cats.

Because it needed more space to expand its spay and neuter program, the nonprofit organization moved in July from Seattle to a larger clinic Lynnwood.

The clinic usually performs about 50 birth-control surgeries a day. On Thursday, which is National Feral Cat Day, volunteer veterinarians plan to increase the clinic's surgeries to 100 that day, said the project's executive director Julie White.

Supporters who want to help cover the costs of the day by sponsoring a cat to be neutered for $15 can receive a "Sexless in Seattle" T-shirt in appreciation.

"It's a fun way to encourage people to help out," White said.

All of the feral cats who are trapped and brought in for free surgery also receive a basic health exam, a rabies vaccination and an ear tip clip to identify it as having been altered.

In addition, the clinic provides spay and neuter services for tame cats that have homes. A donation is requested for these surgeries to help subsidize the costs, White said.

People from more than 13 counties in the state have brought cats to the Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Project clinic. Similar feral cat organizations in Denver, Colo., and Austin, Texas, recently sent volunteers to be mentored at the Lynnwood clinic, White said.

"We are the first free-standing clinic in the country dedicated to providing free spay and neuter services for free-roaming cats," White said.

The clinic currently provides surgeries only four days a week. White is hopeful that increased donations will help meet the rising demand at the clinic.



Reporter Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427 or gfiege@heraldnet.com.



Feral cats

The Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Project is at 4001 198th St. SW, Suite 3, in Lynnwood. For more information, call 425-673-2287 or go to www.feralcatproject.org. Reservations for spay and neuter surgeries can be made on the Web site.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA