October 16 th is National Feral Cat Day; it is a good opportunity to bring notice to the growing cat overpopulation problem in the Denver area. The Denver Animal Shelter has been at capacity for felines many times this year and the Shelter has been forced to euthanize healthy cats because of space issues. Even with adoption rates rising, cat overpopulation is still a problem that results in hundreds of euthanasia a year.

Trap-neuter-release (TNR) is hoped to be an answer to the cat overpopulation problem. Rocky Mountain Ally Cat Alliance (RMACA) is one of the organizations at the forefront of this effort. According to their website "TNR was designed as a humane means to stop feral cat colonies from continuing to reproduce by humanely trapping feral cats, spaying/neutering them, and returning them to their home territories." At their office (2600 West 2nd Avenue) RMACA charges a low rate of twenty dollars to spay/neuter and vaccinate feral cats that are brought in.

Trap/neuter/return programs have been proven to be the most reliable method of reducing feral cat populations with low cost. Spayed and neutered cats enjoy a more comfortable existence free of the loud, annoying, sometimes dangerous mating behaviors. Learn more about how you can help combat the Denver cat overpopulation by visiting RMACA's website at http://www.rmaca.org/reservations/. On the site Rocky Mountain Alley Cat Allies has provided trapping instructions and more information about feral cats.

So on October 16 th remember that it is a day, not only to recognize a national problem, but also to celebrate and contribute to the solution.

Visit www.denveranimalshelter.org for more information about feral cats and cat repellents.

The Westword recently had an article talking about Denver Feral Cats and Rocky Mountain Alley Cat Allies, check it out for more information.

http://www.westword.com/2009-11-19/news/fixers-feeders-and-the-strange-hidden-world-of-feral-cats/1