Will you help MRFRS prevent feline overpopulation with a gift for spay/neuter today?
It’s been a bitterly cold winter...windchills well below zero and snow accumulations that haven’t been seen in years. Which is why it’s distressing to share that the trappers who MRFRS partners with continue to transport multiple stray cats to our shelter each week – including kittens. Usually, cats do not procreate as much in the winter months as they are focused on survival under harsh conditions. However, as we have learned, feline overpopulation in Massachusetts is now anything but “usual”.
In the last two years, the number of strays in MA has grown significantly. Why? One reason is limited access to affordable spay/neuter surgery.
Did you know that vet costs have increased 40% since 2020? Estimates for spay/neuter surgery now start at $1,200. For families living paycheck to paycheck (which is over half of American adults), that amount could represent their entire weekly paycheck - they simply cannot afford to have their cat fixed.
Housing insecurity has also led to more cats being put outdoors and when they are unfixed, it means more litters are born outside. These felines who had the misfortune of not being spayed or neutered, now find themselves battling the elements and relying on the kindness of people just to survive. This is the cruel reality of feline overpopulation happening right now in our state.
If these are the problems causing feline overpopulation, what’s the solution?
MRFRS’ Catmobile Program
In the last year, the Catmobile program has faced challenges - like the need to completely rebuild our older Catmobile. The search for veterinarians and veterinary technicians trained in high quality, high volume spay/neuter surgery also took longer than we had planned. However, as we get ready for spring’s kitten season, we will have two vehicles ready to roll with talented teams who are committed to facing down the even bigger challenge of feline overpopulation.
To be successful, we need your help! Please consider making a donation today to our spay/neuter appeal to help cover Catmobile rebuild costs and to keep our surgery fee to just $175. Your gift will make it possible for cat owners in MA to have access to the low- cost spay/neuter surgery their furry family member needs!
Thank you for joining with MRFRS in the purr-suit of a better tomorrow for all cats!
