GENESEO — SUNY Geneseo’s spay and neuter clinic for stray cats was an extreme success, as 43 cats were spayed or neutered, exceeding previous records.
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People for Animal Welfare, PAW, is a student run organization at SUNY Geneseo that brought the clinic to the campus, due to overwhelming concerns about the stray cat population in Geneseo.
“When we were publicizing for our first clinic, the people of the town expressed much gratitude for SUNY Geneseo playing an active role in reducing the stray cat population,” said Megan Rasquin, Publicity Coordinator.
PAW contacted Barn Cat Outreach about their ideas for such a clinic, in order to get skilled veterinarians to come to campus. According to Rasquin, Barn Cat Outreach was extremely responsive and agreed to sponsor PAW’s clinics.
The first clinic was held September 22, and over 30 cats were spayed or neutered at the clinic.
“Hopefully this will start a new annual trend with the school. Feral cat populations are a growing issue in the local area, and having the school involved to help eradicate this problem really shows its support and acknowledgement that this is an issue,” said Yanush Sanmugaraja, President of PAW.
PAW offers spaying and neutering for a mere $20 to anyone who currently cares for a previously stray or feral cat.
PAW is looking to set up several clinics again in the spring of 2014.
“When undergoing the operation, cats cannot maintain their own body temperature and the recovery time needed for the cats increases as it gets colder outside,” said Rasquin. “We received so much gratitude for the clinics and wish to make this service available for the Geneseo population many more times to come.”
If stray cats are an issue in your neighborhood, contact paws@geneseo.edu. The group will set up animal-friendly traps in the area, so that as many cats as possible can have this operation.