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Answers |
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When
and why was Alley Cat Advocates started?
Alley Cat Advocates was incorporated in February of 1999 and
received Federal 501 © 3 status in January of 2000. The
group was formed to provide a means of spaying and neutering
unowned cats with the goal of reducing future populations of
unowned cats. |
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Who
makes up Alley Cat Advocates?
Alley Cat Advocates is comprised of volunteers with an interest
in reducing the cat overpopulation problem and the suffering
it causes by spaying and neutering unowned cats. |
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How
do I contact Alley Cat Advocates for help with unowned cats
in my neighborhood and how quickly will I get a response?
Call the group's message line at (502) 634-8777. A volunteer
will return your call within 4 days. |
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What
sort of support does Alley Cat Advocates provide for me when
I identify unowned cats in my neighborhood?
Support from Alley Cat Advocates ranges from supporting your
activities by providing tips on trapping and colony maintenance
to actually trapping, arranging surgeries, and returning the
cats to their home. |
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How
do I volunteer to help with Alley Cat Advocates?
Call the group’s message line at (502) 634-8777. Our Volunteer
Manager will contact you and describe the wealth of volunteer
opportunities available to you. She will work to match your
skills, interests, and available time with the group’s
needs. |
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I
don’t have time to volunteer with Alley Cat Advocates but
I’d like to help in some way. What can I do?
We are always in need of a variety of supplies and, as a group
whose work is funded entirely by donations, financial support
is always welcome. Call the group’s message line at (502)
634-8777 and request a call back regarding the specific supplies
we would find useful. |
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Are
my contributions to Alley Cat Advocates tax deductable?
Yes, as a group granted 501 © 3 status by the federal government,
your donations are fully tax deductible. |
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Is
Alley Cat Advocates a not-for-profit organization?
Yes. |
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Why
would I choose Alley Cat Advocates to assist with the unowned
cats in my neighborhood rather than my local humane society
or animal shelter?
No other organization in the Louisville Metropolitan area currently
assists with spaying, neutering and returning to their environment
unowned cats. While traditional shelters in our community will
accept these animals, in only the rarest of cases will the animals
be placed in homes. Practically without exception, the cats
will be euthanized after the five day holding period required
for unowned animals. |
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How
can I tell if cats in my neighborhood are unowned or are someone’s
pets?
There is no definitive way to know except to ask your neighbors.
Some have found that posting “found” signs in the
neighborhood is a good way of asking all neighbors at once.
If no one responds to your signs, one can assume that while
the cat may have been someone’s pet at some point, that
individual is no longer assuming responsibility and the animal
is now unowned. |
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What
would happen to unowned cats if they are left alone to fend
for themselves?
Some unowned cats are able to find adequate shelter and sufficient
food. All benefit from a supply of quality cat food, shelter,
and veterinarian care as needed. |
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Once
I’ve identified an unowned cat, what should I do?
Call Alley Cat Advocates at (502) 634-8777. A volunteer will
call you and describe the simple process leading to the spaying
or neutering of the cat(s) and how to continue to help the cat(s)
after the surgery. |
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Why
are these cats given such thorough veterinary care and then
returned to their outdoor environment?
While the outdoor environment is not particularly conducive
to a long, safe life for these cats, there are, unfortunately,
not enough homes for all unowned cats. Returning them spayed
or neutered, however, greatly improves the cats’ quality
of life. In the males, their urge to roam and fight is markedly
reduced. For the females, they are freed from an endless cycle
of being in heat, getting pregnant, giving birth, and nursing
and caring for kittens. |
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Why
can’t these cats be adopted?
There are 45 cats born for every household in the United States.
With those numbers, clearly not all cats will live their life
in a home. |
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Are
the cats given any kind of follow-up support such as food and
shelter after they are returned to their outdoor environment,
and if so, who is responsible for doing this?
All cats going through Alley Cat Advocates’ program return
to an environment where they are fed and provided shelter. This
support is typically provided by the individual who requested
help from the group. |
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How
do I know you don’t take the cats away once they are trapped
and use them for research?
We are happy to provide names and phone numbers of both veterinarians
who are aware of our work and people in the community, such
as yourself, who have worked with us. Of course, if you are
willing and able, you will be doing the trapping and transporting
yourself! |
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Where
are alley cats found?
Alley cats is a phrase used generically to describe cats who
are stray or unowned. (Those who are particularly wary of humans
are sometimes called feral). They are typically found in groups
behind restaurants, at motels and hotels, at apartment complexes,
in parks, and in alleys. Any place a cat (or more than one cat)
can find food and shelter is a potential home for an alley cat. |
