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The original item was published from 8/7/2015 9:50:00 AM to 1/1/2016 12:30:03 AM.

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Animal Services

Posted on: August 7, 2015

[ARCHIVED] Loudoun Helps Address Community Cat Issues

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Loudoun County Animal Services (LCAS) is helping to address the issue of community cats by participating in an upcoming free spay and neuter clinic and hosting community cat education classes. Community cats live outdoors and are not socialized to people. While they are the same species as the domesticated cats that people have as pets, they have not lived with people and are therefore not ideal as indoor pet companions.

LCAS is a member of the Community Cat Coalition which will host a free spay and neuter clinic solely for community cats Sunday, August 23, 2015, at Leesburg Veterinary Hospital in Leesburg, Each Loudoun County community cat served at the free clinic will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, provided medical care as needed, ear tipped and microchipped. Ear-tipping of the left ear indicates that the cat has been sterilized and previously vaccinated. To register for the clinic or learn more, visit www.loudouncommunitycats.org. Non-Loudoun residents are welcome to participate in the clinic, however a fee of $50 will be assessed per cat receiving surgical services.

In addition to the free spay and neuter clinic, the coalition is holding a free Community Cat Education Class at the Loudoun County Animal Shelter, 39820 Charles Town Pike, Waterford, Saturday, August 15, 2015, from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon. The class is designed to provide information about community cats, safe community cat care and best practices and effective trapping techniques. Anyone who would like to attend is asked to RSVP via email by August 13.

LCAS is part of The Community Cat Coalition, an initiative that began in 2014. The purpose of the coalition is to help Loudoun County’s animal welfare community address the hundreds of requests received each year regarding community and feral cats. Representatives from various animal welfare agencies are working together to help community cats and their caregivers. The coalition consists of representatives from a variety of Loudoun County and regional organizations including Caring Hands Animal Support and Education (CHASE), Humane Society of Loudoun County, Loudoun County Animal Services, Towne Animal Clinic, Virginia Veterinary Medical Association, Loudoun County Veterinary Medical Association, and Alley Cat Allies.

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Media Contact: Amy Martin, Assistant Director of Programs, Loudoun County Animal Services, 703-737-8097, amy.martin@loudoun.gov