Aiming for a long-term Fix
Veterinary technician Anna Schuessler of Animal Friends of Pittsburgh shaves a cat before surgery.
Michelle Bruce, a volunteer with Fix Ur Cat, inspects a cat following a procedure to neuter it.
Veterinary technician Anna Schuessler reaches for a cat inside a cage while Dr. Kellie Frame completes surgery on another feline.
Dr. Kellie Frame adjusts an overhead light before surgery.
People entering or leaving Iceoplex at Southpointe recently may not have given much thought to a trailer parked out front ,but the row of empty cat carriers there was a good indication of activity inside.
A feline clinic was being hosted at the recreation center, giving people an opportunity to have their cats spayed or neutered for only $35. Included in that price was a dental exam and a rabies vaccination.
Fix Ur Cat, which just received its 501C3 nonprofit status, is helping to reduce the unwanted cat population by offering spaying or neutering at an affordable rate. They recently co-sponsored the program with the Icoplex which provided space for the clinic. But a number of municipalities also has hosted recent Fix Ur Cat clinics, including Cecil, Chartiers and North Strabane townships.
While most of the cats on this particular day were owned by someone, there were a couple of strays that had been trapped and brought to the clinic. Once neutered, they would be returned to their colony, but without the ability to breed.
Colony or feral cats are becoming a growing problem in Washington County.
“There’s not a community that doesn’t have an issue with cats, even upscale neighborhoods,” said Michelle Bruce of Fix Ur Cat.
Bruce, Katie Imler and Pat Sphar formed Fix Ur Cat after volunteering with Animal Friends of Pittsburgh. They have been instrumental in getting Animals Friends’ Mobile Resource Clinic to places in Washington County for the clinics.
They also have partnered with veterinarian Dr. Kellie Frame, who operates Fix Ur Pet in the Meadowhill complex, 2215 Hill Church Road, Canonsburg. Frame provides low-cost spay and neutering and other basic services for cats and dogs and provides her services at no cost for Fix Ur Cat clinics.
On this particular day, Dr. Frame operated on 28 felines.
Reducing the cat population by eliminating the breeding of kittens is the goal of Fix Ur Cat. A female cat normally has a litter of four to six kittens, which are then able to breed after six or seven months. Taking into account that not all kittens survive, the University of Washington’s math department estimates one female cat and her offspring would produce between 100 to 400 cats in seven years.
In three years, volunteers with FixUrCat estimate they have neutered 1,000 cats.
“Right now, we are overwhelmed with interest in this program,” Bruce said. “If you make it easy enough for people or affordable enough, there’s no excuse.”
Fix Ur Cat has responded to calls in Canonsburg where strays cats have been a nuisance. By trapping and neutering male cats, Bruce said there has been a reduction in complaints of cats fighting or urine spraying in the borough.
“You’d be surprised how many people want to help, and this is one way for them to help,” she said.
Donald Gennuso, Cecil Township manager, said the township has not only provided space for Fix Ur Cat clinics but he also contacts the nonprofit when he gets reports of numerous feral cats in an area.
“Although it doesn’t remove the strays from the area, it does remove the potential for overpopulation,” he said.
Gennuso also praised volunteers with Fix Ur Cat for their social skills. “The good thing about the group is they reach out to cat lovers and (Bruce) works well with them,” he said.
The mobile clinic will operate until November. After that, people may make an appointment with Fix Ur Cat by calling 724-514-6858 or downloading an application at www.fixurcat.org. In January, organizers hope to operate the clinic three days a week.
To be able to provide low-cost services, Fix Ur Cat is hosting its third annual family-friendly Miniature Golf Charity Tournament beginning with a dinner at 5 p.m. Sept. 20 at Red Carpet Golf and Recreation Center, 2200 Old National Pike, Washington. The shotgun start begins at 6:15 p.m. with dessert, raffles and prizes to follow. Cost is $15 per person or $55 for a foursome. All proceeds will benefit Fix Ur Cat.
Donations for the silent auction are being accepted. Donations are needed for the silent auction and Fix Ur Cat can always use cat carriers, training pads, dry cat food or gift cards. Those donating cat food will receive a raffle ticket.
More information is available at fixurcat.org or by calling 724-503-8523.
Fix Ur Cat will also be at the Houston Pumpkin Festival Oct. 10-12.