SOUTHERN UTAH – Be part of the solution. Whether you love cats or not, the proven cost-effective and humane method to reduce populations of free-roaming felines is available free in Southern Utah through the Four Directions Community Cat Program.

The program is offered by Kanab-based national animal welfare organization Best Friends Animal Society. More than 5,300 cats have been spayed or neutered in Southern Utah since the program started four years ago. The cats are sterilized using trap-neuter-return also known as TNR, the widely accepted, humane method of controlling populations of free-roaming cats.  The cats are also vaccinated.

For more information on the program, which offers free services in Kane, Iron, Garfield and Washington counties, please contact Janice Dankert, Four Directions Community Cat Coordinator at 435-644-2001 x4469, or email  [email protected].

“Trap-neuter-return reduces the number of community cats living on our streets. Community cats are the feral and stray free-roaming cats in your neighborhood. This free ‘Community Cat Program’ prevents unwanted litters and reduces the number of cats killed in shelters,” Dankert said. “But it can only work with the help of people in southern Utah.”

How you can help:

“Let us know about community cats near you.  Best Friends Animal Society offers free services that will directly reduce the number of community cats in your neighborhood,” Dankert said. “Outdoor cats can be humanely trapped and, instead of being killed, they are spayed or neutered, vaccinated and ear-tipped (the painless, universal symbol of a spayed/neutered cat). Once recovered, cats are returned to their home territory to continue living out their lives.”

“You can help save lives,” Dankert said.

“Consider volunteering to help Best Friends help your community’s cats. Please call if you’d like to volunteer to help trap and transport cats. Or, work with your neighbors to feed and care for community cats once they have been sterilized and vaccinated.”

Benefits of  Trap-Neuter-Return

• Cost-effective and humane. TNR is the proven way to control the community cat population. TNR saves lives and taxpayer dollars by reducing the number of cats who are killed in municipal shelters.

• Neutered cats cause fewer nuisance issues, so there will be less spraying, howling and roaming. If you do not like cats in your yard, see this YouTube link for details on humane cat deterrents to keep them out of your yard and garden!

Every week routine spay/neuter surgeries are performed on community cats at the clinic at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab. The program also subsidizes veterinarians in several southern Utah communities.

More than 40 communities surrounding Best Friends Animal Sanctuary have received support from the program. Four Directions utilizes a key volunteer in each of their larger locations to streamline efforts.

In August 2011, Best Friends partnered with the community of Circleville on a large-scale TNR project:

“Each act of kindness brings us one step closer to No More Homeless Pets^®,” Dankert said.

About Best Friends Animal Society^®:

Best Friends Animal Society is a nonprofit organization building no-kill programs and partnerships that will bring about a day when there are No More Homeless Pets®.  The society’s leading initiatives in animal care and community programs are coordinated from its Kanab, Utah, headquarters, the country’s largest no-kill sanctuary.  This work is made possible by the personal and financial support of a grassroots network of supporters and community partners across the nation.

Best Friends Animal Society is also on Facebook and on Twitter.

If you see new community cats that aren’t ear-tipped, so they can be trapped, neutered and returned, contact Dankert directly:

Telephone: 435-644-2001 ext. 4469  / email:  [email protected]