Veterinarians’ support of Trap-Neuter-Return is critical, both to provide low-cost services for feral cats—and to show communities considering TNR that it’s backed by experts. Some of the country’s top TNR veterinarians signed a letter printed June 1 in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association voicing their strong endorsement of TNR—and explaining why it is becoming the predominant method of feral cat care. We’re asking more veterinarians to sign a letter showing their support of TNR. The more that sign on, the more strength we’ll have behind our message: TNR works, and it works well.

TAKE ACTION! Ask your veterinarian to sign the letter.

On June 10, a “humane” officer in North Ridgeville, Ohio, shot and killed five kittens living in a woodpile in a resident’s backyard. If that’s not bad enough, children were in the house listening as each shot rang out from his .22-caliber handgun. The shooting sparked a nationwide outcry, as everyone from local animal rescue groups to people living thousands of miles away made it clear that shooting kittens is never acceptable. Alley Cat Allies’ Interim Executive Director Paul Berry traveled to North Ridgeville to support local residents and presented to the city council a petition with more than 30,000 signatures demanding humane policies for feral cats.

As a result of the steadfast opposition to this shooting, North Ridgeville officials are considering major changes to the city’s policies and protocol for handling feral cats.

Read more about the “Woodpile Five.”

Last month, a group of veterinarians, veterinarian technicians, and other volunteers, including Alley Cat Allies staff members, boarded a ferry and headed across the choppy waters of the Chesapeake Bay for a Trap-Neuter-Return mission on Tangier Island, Va. Low-lying Tangier is home to about 700 people—and more than 400 cats. Almost all of the islanders get around by golf cart, and the community cats trapped on this trip were no exception. In the midst of the downpours of Tropical Storm Andrea, the all-volunteer crew trapped about 100 cats. They neutered 35, revaccinated 60, and brought six kittens back to the mainland for adoption. The trip was organized and funded by the veterinary-run Caring Hands Animal Support and Education (CHASE), which has embarked on multiple TNR trips to Tangier. After the first two trips in 2011, approximately 85% of the island’s cats had been sterilized!

At 10-weeks-old, these three sweet siblings are ready for their forever homes! Dapper Jasper, with his shiny black coat and white patch on his chest, is the most vocal and adventurous of the group. He loves to climb, explore, and inspect everything that comes his way. The charmer of the bunch, Jace, black with a white belly patch, is a bit more reserved, taking his time examining new things and more interested in cuddling than climbing. Angelic Arrow is the most tranquil of the trio. She has a soft black coat with specks of white, almost like salt and pepper. In the right light, she looks like she has a halo around her head, which matches her demeanor! These adorable kittens need loving homes—how about yours?

See more photos of these adorable babies.

Do you or does someone you know have:

• Experience leading a mission-driven, grassroots organization?
• Proven skills for providing impactful transformation and day-to-day management of all aspects of an organization?
• A deep desire for social change and knowledge of animal rights or a strong advocacy background?

That’s a great start. Learn more about the position.

Read the latest good and bad stories impacting cats around the country. Find out who gets purrs—and who gets hisses.

The early bird deadline for our National Conference: Architects of Change for Cats is approaching quickly. Register by July 31 and save money!

It’s hot out there! Warmer weather means special considerations for feral cat colony care. Keep cats cool with our summer tips.