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PHS FERAL CAT PROGRAM GETS UNDER WAY
October 27, 2009 marked Placencia Humane Society's very first feral cat clinic in Placencia, Belize. Thirty three traps were set and nine male cats and two females were trapped. All were vaccinated, spayed or neutered, their ears were notched and after recovering from the anesthesia they were released
Pamela Keck current president of PHS remarked, “It is great to finally get this program moving forward. It was supposed to start in July of this year but we had a long delay in getting the traps in.”
Thanks go to Ellie Dial, Mary Toy, Selena Lucas, Cheryl Galipeau and Turtle Inn staff volunteered to not only set the traps , but also release the cats following their surgeries. A thank you also to Brian Young, who gave permission to PHS to held the clinic in the former BTIA office at Point Placencia. PHS is grateful to these volunteers. The feral cat program will not work without community involvement. PHS would like to offer a special thanks to Valley Medical Center in Fresno, California. They donated 18 traps to PHS.
In addition to the 11 cats cut at the feral cat clinic 8 additional feral cats were caught, vaccinated, spayed and neutered during the PHS monthly clinic on November 7-9, Surgeries again were performed by Dr. Bennett, who will continue on as veterinarian for all future feral cat clinics. Also 4 feral cats were cut at the Seine Bight clinic that was held October 16th and 17th. This is a total of 23 cats cut on the peninsula in less than a month. PHS board member Pam Thomas loves this figure. “If we could keep this up over the next year what a difference it would make. The feral cat population right now is out of control. This is a wonderful beginning and I hope the momentum continues.”
Starting in January, 2010, PHS intends to have these cat clinics monthly. Pam Thomas and Pat Rarrick will be heading up these monthly clinics.
As with any professional animal service, these clinics take money to operate. Besides paying the vet there is the ongoing expense of the medications needed for the clinics. PHS purchases all the medications and supplies needed for these clinics. PHS is run solely on memberships and donations. That means PHS is counting on you to make these clinics possible.
If you can help PHS financially, can volunteer your time, or are willing to trap cats please contact Pamela Keck at pkeck11@yahoo.com or 520-4057 home / 625-3123 cell. And don't forget to check out our website at www.placencia-pets.org. You can also look us up on Facebook.
