Feral Cat Day Oct. 16 Launches ‘Supper For Strays’ Food Drive

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal has issued a proclamation naming Sunday, October 16, National Feral Cat Day in Newtown.  To observe Feral Cat Day, The Animal Center is holding its inaugural “Supper for Strays” food drive October 16–22 to raise awareness of Newtown’s feral and stray cat population and help feed the stray cat population.

“There exists an enormous problem of feral and stray cats in the community tht requires a unified, organized, and communitywide solution,” Mr Rosenthal said. “The Animal Center [has] established a strategic plan that includes the goal of the creation and implementation of a comprehensive spay/neuter program.”

“October 16 is National Feral Cat Day and we wanted to have an event where people could learn about feral cats as well as make a difference in their lives by donating food,” said Monica Roberto, co-founder of The Animal Center. “While feral cats have learned to survive on their own, their quality of life improves when they have volunteer caretakers who provide food and water for them, especially during the harsh winter months.”

All donations will be used to help feed the hundreds of homeless cats in the community through the winter.

A feral cat is an unsocialized cat who was born outside and has never lived with a human family, or a house cat that was abandoned or strayed from home and, over time, has thrown off the effects of domestication and reverted to a wild state.

The Animal Center not only helps feed and care for local feral cats, but also has a feral cat population reduction program called trap-neuter-return (TNR), which is a nonlethal strategy whereby cats are humanely trapped, vaccinated, and neutered by veterinarians. According to Alley Cat Allies, a national nonprofit clearinghouse for information on feral and stray cats, “TNR is the most humane and effective method to reduce feral cat populations,” and is practiced throughout the United States and other parts of the world.

Donation bins for canned and dry cat food will be stationed at Stop & Shop in Sand Hill Plaza and Paws on Main at 268 Main Street in Monroe. The center will also have a donation station at St Rose School and Middle Gate School for the children participating in the “Supper for Strays” food drive.

The Animal Center is a Newtown-based charity focused on animal welfare. More information about The Animal Center can be found at www.theanimalcenter.org.