February 2012

Feral cats have reached epidemic numbers on Long Island. Last Hope promotes a Trap, Spay/Neuter Release (TNR) program. In 2003, LAST HOPE initiated its “FIX-A-FERAL” program as an incentive to get you, the public, to TNR the feral cats that you are feeding. These cats must be spayed and neutered and returned to the location where they are trapped. You must commit to feeding these cats for their lifetime – feeding out of dumpsters is not an acceptable food source. If you are able, we also recommend providing some shelter for the feral cats. We urge you to look at the Alley Cat Allies website, www.alleycat.org, for information about TNR and caring for feral cats. We have attached instructions explaining the TNR process.

LAST HOPE does not remove the cats from a location nor do we provide euthanasia services for these cats. If you want to remove the cats, if you are moving or if their safety is questionable, TNR is not the right program for you. You must trap these cats and arrange for euthanasia at a veterinarian’s office or bring them to the local municipal shelter in your community.

Traps can be obtained by contacting our volunteers:

• Suffolk County Residents – Sue, via email at suzzziteach@yahoo.com
• Nassau County Residents – Marilyn Gorman at 516-242-3386

A cash deposit is required and will be refunded after the trap is returned.

This program is intended for use by the general public in order to assist with the financial burden of spaying and neutering of feral cats. OTHER RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD NOT BE UTILIZING THIS PROGRAM, as it is taking much needed assistance away from the individual who is in dire need of help. We suggest you develop your own program for feral cats.

All funding for the Fix-A-Feral Program comes from Last Hope, Inc. We spend significant time writing grants to get funds from the few organizations that will fund programs for animals. Much of our own money earned from flea markets, garage sales, walk-a-thons, and donation pleas goes into this program. BECAUSE OUR FUNDS ARE LIMITED, THIS PROGRAM MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME. If you would like to help by having a yard sale and contributing the proceeds to the program, please contact us.

Please read the attached information and return the completed agreement to us. It’s time for you to learn how you can assist with the growing number of feral cats in your neighborhood. Do not delay—get trapping!!

Once we have received your completed agreement, we will mail the vouchers to you. Please allow 14 days for processing. No more than five (5) vouchers will be issued per household. They must be used by the expiration date printed on the voucher. Expired vouchers will not be replaced. The vouchers are for your use and you may not give them to any other individual. Copies will not be accepted by the participating veterinarian. If the voucher is lost, it will not be replaced – so keep it in a safe place!

Please click here to download the MANDATORY agreement which includes a list of participating vets and the associated fees. Answer ALL the questions below, PRINT it, SIGN it and MAIL it to:

Feral Cat FAQ