NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 28, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- One year after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, Alley Cat Allies (ACA) remains the only national animal-related organization still working to help communities and their outdoor cats.
"Without Alley Cat Allies I would not have been able to afford to spay or neuter the feral cats in the neighborhood," said Orleans Parish resident Betty D. "No more kittens. What a relief!"
Currently, ACA is creating a volunteer-run help-line to respond to residents' need for humane solutions for their street cats in the Greater New Orleans area, as well as a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program for Plaquemines Parish.
"In the past, these cats were usually trapped and killed. Now we are working with animal control to resolve situations without killing the cats. I am more hopeful for the cats here than I have been in some time," said Ramona Billot, a volunteer of a local TNR organization in Plaquemines Parish.
In June ACA hosted The Feline Forum 2006 where over 130 people from across the area gathered to hear nationally recognized experts speak about humane outdoor cat management.
"It was the best conference I have ever attended," said Lynn Chiche of SpayMart, a non-profit organization that has run feral cat programs in New Orleans for over ten years.
After the storm, ACA conducted animal rescue efforts in the city and operated an emergency shelter for cats in Bogalusa, Louisiana. Over 370 animals were rescued and either reunited with their families or placed into reputable no-kill shelters.
Together, the residents of Louisiana and Alley Cat Allies are creating a brighter future for the animals of this community and for the many people who care for them.
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is the most effective and humane method of population management for feral (unsocialized) cats. For more information go to http://www.alleycat.org/press.html
For assistance with spay/neuter for cats in your area, e-mail ACA at: nolaalleycat@yahoo.com or call 601-749-5084.
Photographs of feral cats available upon request.
Alley Cat Allies (www.alleycat.org) is the national nonprofit clearinghouse for information on feral and stray cats. With over 100,000 supporters nationwide, Alley Cat Allies has advocated Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), the most effective and humane method to reduce feral cat populations, for over 15 years.
The Alley Cat Allies logo is available at http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1922