Champaign County Humane Society
1911 E. Main, Urbana, IL 61802 USA
Central Illinois Animal Welfare Coalition
Contact Person:
Mary “Tief” Tiefenbrunn, Executive Director
Champaign County Humane Society
1911 E. Main Street, Urbana, IL 61802
Phone: 217-344-7297
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Email: director@cuhumane.org February 20, 2008
Cat Nip/Tuck Day
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Local Agencies Providing $10 Spay/Neuter Surgeries
For Low-Income Cat Owners
Urbana, IL – “It’s not just rabbits who multiply like rabbits” say the organizers of a low-cost feline spay/neuter clinic to be held on March 8, 2008, in Urbana. The spay/neuter clinic is being organized by members of the Central Illinois Animal Welfare Coalition in an effort to impact the number of kittens born this Spring and Summer. The Champaign County Humane Society alone provided shelter to over 580 homeless kittens in 2007 (and over 1,300 cats and kittens combined), according to Shelter Manager, Kate Meghji. The springtime influx of kittens also taxes the resources of other local animal welfare agencies, such as Champaign County Animal Control and Champaign Area Trap Spay/Neuter and Adoption Program (CATSNAP).
Meghji is “really excited” about Cat Nip/Tuck Day because it addresses the problem of cat overpopulation head-on. As Meghji explains, “animal shelters focus so much energy on caring for homeless animals and finding them new homes, that they often have no resources left for addressing the root-cause of the problem.” That’s why collaboration is so important, says Stephanie Joos, the director of Champaign County Animal Control. “Collaboration is what has made this clinic possible,” she says, explaining that the project is being funded by a charitable organization that values community partnerships and collaboration.
The organizers of Cat Nip/Tuck Day want to make sure that every pet owner in Champaign or Douglas County who wants to have his cat spayed or neutered has somewhere to turn. For just $10.00, low-income cat owners will be able to obtain spay and neuter surgeries at the Champaign County Humane Society and the Champaign County Animal Services Facility. The surgeries will be performed by volunteer licensed veterinarians. Additional services to be provided include: flea treatment, micro-chipping, vaccines, and County Rabies registration. Appointments are required and may be made by calling 217-344-PAWS, ext. 18.
The Central Illinois Animal Welfare Coalition includes representatives from Champaign and Douglas County humane societies, animal rescue groups, animal care and control facilities, humane education organizations, veterinarians and other leaders in the companion animal field.