Nassau County Legislature

One West Street

Mineola, New York 11501

516-571-6218

 

Press Release

 

From the office of

Nassau County Legislator Diane Yatauro

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For immediate release:                                                                      June 22, 2007

 

Yatauro Kicks-Off Feral Cat Advisory Board with a Donation from the Cody Fund

 

 

No one would deny that Nassau County has a large number of feral cats.  They can be found in groups or clusters known as colonies behind supermarkets, in parks, on college campuses, and even in people's yards.  They are generally not spayed or neutered, and they breed, fight, spray, and survive a very difficult few years of life "in the streets".

 

"Feral cats begin as people's pets.  The problem is that they are frequently dumped by a family who moves or simply no longer wants to care for the pet.  There are a number of things that we as a community can do to help reduce this population.  Most importantly, when a cat is purchased or adopted, it should be spayed or neutered immediately.  Also, the experts recommend that family pets be kept indoors; however, if you are going to let your cat out, make sure it has been spayed or neutered as well as vaccinated against rabies.  As well, put a collar with an identification tag on your cat so that there is no doubt that your cat is a family pet," said Yatauro.  On a governmental level, my colleague Legislator Ford and I have created a Feral Cat Advisory Board which is made up of both cities and our towns.  Together, we are working on ways to better educate the public on reduction techniques, such as Trap, Neuter, and Return and are currently discussing ways that your government, on all levels, can contribute toward reducing the feral cat population in as humane a way as is possible.  To help us get started, the Suffolk County SPCA has kindly donated $1,000.00 from the Cody Fund toward Trap, Neuter, Return which if done consistently, will significantly reduce the feral cat populations all over Long Island and will actually save us all money."

 

If you have questions regarding feral cats, please feel free to call Legislator Yatauro's Office at 571-6218.

 

Pictured (l-r) Sue King, N C Health Dept.; Legislator Yatauro; John Ochwat, NC Health Dept., Legislator Jacobs; Deputy Chief Laton, SCSPCA; Chief Gross, SCSPCA; Joan Phillips, Glen Cove Animal Lovers League; Dr. Senk, Long Island Cat Project