Press Release/For Immediate Release

I am sending this press release on behalf of the Homeless Cat Management Team
If the press release is too long, please publish the schedule.

Not Just for Ferals, HCMT Hosts 13 Free and Low-cost Spay/Neuter Clinics Through June 2023

Inflation has not affected the cost of a cat spay or neuter for feral and pet cats at a Homeless Cat Management Team clinic—the most you’ll pay is $60. You can still have a feral cat spayed or neutered FREE at one clinic each month, and at the seven other scheduled clinics ferals are only $35, pet male cat neuter is $45, pet female cat spayed is $60.

Costs have risen for many daily necessities, including cat food and litter, and the choice to spay or neuter cats may be put aside in order to pay bills or buy food. Others are feeding abandoned stray and feral cats and likewise can’t afford to take care of their colonies to prevent more homeless cats on the streets. No one wants to overburden our shelter and rescue systems with unwanted kittens who may otherwise end up abandoned.

Between January and June 2023, covering a large portion of time that contributes to “kitten season”, HCMT has 13 free and low-cost spay/neuter clinics scheduled for stray/feral and rescued/pet cats. All surgeries include a state- mandated rabies vaccine.

“By the end of 2022 HCMT had spayed and neutered 29,556 cats since we started in 1998,” said Lisa Lendl- Lander, HCMT secretary. With the reproductive lives of that many cats effectively put to an end, imagine how many other kittens didn’t, and won’t, end up out on the streets or in shelters?

Clinics fill up fast and registration at least two weeks ahead of time is required.

FREE CLINICS (ferals only)

January 21 – Biscuits Bingo sponsorship
February 18 – In loving memory of Milton Lendl
March 18 – Paws Across Pittsburgh
April 15 – 1⁄2 sponsorship in memory of Jeanne T. Richey, 1⁄2 sponsorship Barb Spelic
May 13 – CATSA.co / Samantha Ginsburg sponsorship
June 10 – Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser

FAST TRACK CLINICS

January 7
February 4
March 4
April 1
April 29
May 27
June 24

More dates may be announced and dates are subject to change. Check www.homelesscat.org/clinic-info for the most up to date information.

Basic costs

Price includes rabies vaccine, flea treatment, and ear mite treatment if necessary. Other vaccines and tests are also available at low cost.

Feral Cat Package (MANDATORY EAR TIP)

FREE CLINICS: no charge
FAST TRACK CLINICS: $35 male or female

Rescue/Pet Cat Package (NO ear tip)

Male $45
Female $60

Feral Cats vs Rescue Cats

A feral cat can’t be handled and will be returned to the outdoor location where it was trapped after surgery.

A rescue cat either has been or will be adopted as a pet after surgery. Only feral cats are eligible for No-Charge clinics. Both feral and rescue cats can be treated at Fast Track Clinics.

How to register for a clinic

All clinics are held at HCMT’s clinic at 207 Allegheny St, Tarentum, PA 15084. You must pre-register for any clinic. Walk-ins are not permitted.

By Phone: call 412-321-4060 and leave a message with your name and phone number. Someone will return your call and complete your pre-registration. HCMT is all volunteer and this may take some time.

By Email: Email cathomeless@gmail.com with your name, number of spots you need and which date you are registering for. You will receive a confirmation email ONLY if you are registered.

Feral cats must arrive in a standard humane box trap (Havahart, Safe-guard, Tomahawk, Tru-Catch, etc.) for the safety of all involved. Rescue and owned cats can arrive in carriers, one cat per carrier. Each will be placed back in its carrier or trap for recovery after surgery.

Ready to reproduce at four months, two to four litters per year

Cats can begin reproducing as young as four months old. Typical unspayed female cat can have an average of two litters per year but my have as many as four. Her kittens can be ready to produce kittens four months after they are born.

But kittens can be spayed and neutered as young as two months, weighing at least two pounds, and even if they are born outdoors to a feral mother they can still be socialized to be adoptable and find homes. Clinics in the spring and summer often treat 100 cats at each clinic, roughly twice each month, and more with trapping and rescuing cats between clinics.

What is the Homeless Cat Management Team?

The Homeless Cat Management Team is a freestanding “Trap-Neuter-Return” (TNR) organization in the Pittsburgh region. Their mission is to lead the way in ending the overpopulation of companion animals in our region by providing high-volume, high-quality, low-cost sterilization. We also assist and support community cat caretakers who work with HCMT with trapping, transportation, cat food and shelter and veterinary care. Volunteers also assess all kittens and friendly cats HCMT has rescued for adoptability and socialization, and after spay/neuter and age- appropriate vaccines offers them for adoption through their sister organization, a network of volunteer foster homes called Pittsburgh C.A.T.

Volunteer for clinics

HCMT also needs volunteers for clinics, up to 20 per clinic for various duties and different shifts, with most of them not requiring medical training. On the website you’ll find a link to the signup to volunteer for any of the clinics that are scheduled. Volunteer help is appreciated in other ways too, like helping with the laundry that’s produced with all the sheets, blankets, beds and other items used in the clinic. Call the Homeless Cat Management Team hotline and leave a message, 412-321-4060 or visit www.homelesscat.org to find more information and to find links to our Facebook groups.

Support, donate and sponsor

The free clinics are by $1,500 sponsorships by one or more donors; you can see our list of all who have donated on our Clinic Information page: www.homelesscat.org/clinic-info. Consider sponsoring a clinic this coming spring, yourself, your business or an organization—send an email with your contact information and details to cathomeless@gmail.com.