Texas Coalition for Animal Protection awarded grant by MuttNation Foundation

[Denton, TX, JUNE 2024] – Texas Coalition for Animal Protection (TCAP) is pleased to announce a generous grant from the MuttNation Foundation.

This funding enables TCAP to offer free spay and neuter services for feral cats, a crucial step in controlling and reducing the number of homeless animals in the area. The “Free Fix Day” is held on Wednesday, June 26 at the Allen, Arlington, Denton, Garland, Burleson, and Ft. Worth clinic locations.

“We are thrilled that the generous donation from MuttNation Foundation will allow us to offer a Free Fix Day for cats,” said Stacey Schumacher, TCAP Executive Director. “In addition to sterilization, TCAP will also administer rabies vaccines to these animals. By providing these necessary services, our goal is to reduce the number of unwanted litters that result in feral cat colonies.”

To participate, cat caregivers will book an appointment on TCAP’s website beginning on June 19th. Caregivers may bring up to four cats per person and must be presented in a live trap. Each cat will be sterilized, either spay or neuter, and given a rabies vaccine for free.

Cats become fertile as young as five months. One adult female cat can produce up to 100 kittens in a seven-year period. The USDA estimates there are between 30 and 80 million feral cats in the US. Feral cats face health risks and have a negative impact on local ecosystems.

This event underscores the commitment of both TCAP and MuttNation Foundation to the welfare of animals in the North Texas community. By offering these essential services free of charge, they commit to making a positive impact through Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR).

About Texas Coalition for Animal Protection (TCAP):

Texas Coalition for Animal Protection is a nonprofit organization committed to providing high-quality, low-cost veterinary services to underserved communities. With a focus on spay/neuter surgeries and preventive care, TCAP seeks to reduce pet overpopulation and improve animal welfare across Texas. Through its eight North Texas locations, more than 40 offsite travel locations, and educational initiatives, TCAP strives to make a significant and lasting impact on the lives of animals and those who love them.

TCAP Sterilizes 3,868 Feral Cats During Q1 2024

At the heart of our mission is the desire to end animal overpopulation and improve community animal welfare.

This is why we are proud to offer our Feral Fix Program. TCAP covers the cost of sterilizing the first 12 feral cats presented each day at our eight (8) DFW area clinics. We also offer select “Free Feral Days” throughout the year to further help with this community need.

We are pleased to report that TCAP performed free sterilizations on 3,868 feral cats during Q1 of 2024 (Jan-Mar). This represents an increase of 18%, or 586, over the same period in 2023. Feral cat sterilization is crucial to reducing the number of feral cat colonies in DFW.

Our team is grateful to the community members who use their time and resources to bring animals to TCAP each day.

Your efforts help us to stop the growth of feral colonies throughout North Texas.

The TCAP Feral Fix Program

The TCAP Feral Fix Program is designed to address feral cat colonies in North Texas. Feral cats are unsocialized outdoor cats that have limited or no physical contact with humans. Domestic cats who have left their homes or been abandoned can become feral. The offspring of these cats who are completely born in the wild are feral cats. They fear humans are not able to be adopted. Often, these feral colonies experience high mortality rates due to disease, lack of food, and predation.

Each of the eight (8) TCAP clinics across DFW provides free sterilization for the first 12 feral cats presented each day. Appointments are not necessary for this program. They are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. All cats must be transported in a live trap. Feral cats that are scheduled for a sterilization appointment are charged just $20.

Drop-off occurs each morning at 8 am and pick-up is at 3 pm. However, we do recommend getting the clinic early to secure your spot in line.

The Feral Cat Issue

According to a report by the USDA, there are up to 80 million feral cats in the US. Efforts to address the feral cat issue involve a combination of strategies. These include trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs. These programs humanely trap feral cats, spay or neuter them, and then return them to their environment. TNR programs are often coupled with efforts to monitor feral cat colonies. Education about responsible pet ownership is important. This includes spaying and neutering and access to affordable veterinary services.

A single pregnant female feral cat has an average of 1.4 litters per year. Each litter has an average of 3 kittens.

Assuming one female per litter, that single female can create a colony of over 50 cats in just 5 years. This includes the offspring of her litters. Depending on survivability, litter size, the number of breeding females, these numbers can be even higher.

Feral cat colonies can contribute to the spread of disease and other negative ecological factors such as predation on local wildlife including birds and rabbits.

Cats carry the highest source of rabies risk in the US, according to the CDC.

Here are some of the key concerns with feral cat colonies:

Overpopulation: One of the primary issues is the overpopulation of cats, both domestic and feral. Cats can reproduce quickly, and without intervention, their populations can rapidly grow out of control. This overpopulation leads to increased competition for resources, spread of disease, and negative impacts on local ecosystems.
Abandonment: Many feral cats are the result of abandonment by their owners. Some owners may release their cats outdoors, believing they can fend for themselves, while others may abandon them outright. These abandoned cats often join existing feral colonies or form new ones.
Lack of Spaying and Neutering: Failure to spay and neuter pet cats contributes significantly to the feral cat population. Unaltered cats are more likely to reproduce, leading to more kittens being born into the feral population. Lack of access to affordable spaying and neutering services in some areas exacerbates this problem.
Health Risks: Feral cats face numerous health risks, including exposure to diseases such as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV), as well as parasites like fleas and ticks. These health risks not only impact the cats themselves but can also pose threats to other animals and even humans.
Impact on Wildlife: Feral cats are skilled hunters and can have significant impacts on local wildlife populations. They prey on small mammals, birds, and reptiles, which can disrupt fragile ecosystems and threaten native species.
Community Concerns: Feral cat colonies often become a source of concern for local communities due to issues such as noise, odor, and the spread of disease. Additionally, conflicts can arise between advocates for the cats and those concerned about the welfare of wildlife and public health.

5 Tips to Be an Effective Animal Advocate

In a world where compassion knows no bounds, being an animal advocate is a powerful way to make a positive impact. Whether you’re passionate about the well-being of domestic pets, wildlife conservation, or farm animal welfare, advocating for animals requires empathy, education, and action. This guide will explore five actionable steps to help you become an effective voice for our furry, feathered, and finned friends.

1. Educate Yourself

Before embarking on your advocacy journey, educating yourself about various animal welfare issues is crucial.

Understanding the challenges animals face empowers you to speak knowledgeably and passionately about the issues. For example, at TCAP, our mission is to end overpopulation and euthanasia in Texas animal shelters. All of our initiatives aim to advance that goal and be a help to animals.

2. Spread Awareness

Advocacy begins with raising awareness. Use your voice and platforms to share information about animal welfare with your friends and family.

Social media is a powerful tool; share articles, videos, and stories that promote animal welfare. You can also help spread awareness by engaging with the content your favorite animal welfare organizations publish on their social media channels.

3. Support Animal-friendly Legislation

Advocate for change by supporting and promoting animal-friendly legislation. Stay informed about local, national, and international policies related to animal welfare. Engage with lawmakers in your community and bring issues to their attention when necessary. Encourage them to prioritize and strengthen laws that protect animals.

Your city council is a great place to start, and way to affect real change in your community.

4. Volunteer & Support Animal Organizations

Get involved with local animal shelters, rescue organizations, or wildlife conservation groups by volunteering your time or expertise. Volunteering provides hands-on experience and allows you to directly contribute to the well-being of animals. Whether it’s walking dogs, assisting in rehabilitation efforts, or participating in outreach programs, your time and skills can make a meaningful difference.

If time isn’t on your side, you can also support these organizations and their initiatives via monetary donations, purchasing goods and services, or attending their events

5. Lead by Example

Being an effective animal advocate requires consistency in your actions. Lead by example in your daily life by practicing kindness and compassion towards animals. Your personal choices serve as a powerful testament to the values you advocate for.

Encourage your friends and family to join you in the causes you’re passionate about.

Becoming an animal advocate is a journey that requires dedication, education, and a commitment to positive change. By raising awareness, supporting legislation, and inspiring others, you can contribute to a world where animals are treated with the compassion and respect they deserve. Together we can create a better Texas For Them.