ATLANTIC BEACH CAT HISTORY
There have historically been hundreds of cats in our village, living in the beach clubs, backyards, or wherever able to find shelter. Abandonment in our beach community is a root cause. This year, the American Association of Feline Practitioners estimated the number of free-roaming abandoned and feral cats in the U.S. to be about 73 million. One unspayed female cat can produce 30 kittens a year, and of course the numbers dramatically increase exponentially. Various attempts at control or eradication have been made and have failed. Eradication campaigns do not work, since survivors breed exponentially and outsiders move in. The cycle of population growth always begins anew. With the implementation of a thorough, aggressive, and humane Trap-Neuter-Return program, we will once and for all effectively address the cat issue here in Atlantic Beach . During the initial phase of the program, we employed the herd approach. This has resulted in preventing the birth of hundreds of kittens and has contributed greatly to the goal of stabilization and reduction through humane attrition.
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ATLANTIC BEACH CATS ORGANIZATION
Numerous individuals in Atlantic Beach are already utilizing Trap-Neuter-Return
(TNR) on a small scale. ABCats is a community-wide volunteer
organization working in partnership with Neighborhood Cats of NYC
to coordinate a full-management plan. Our basic functions include
TNR, caretaking-site-management, community outreach, fundraising,
and donations solicitation. We are a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation. E-mail
us at if you would like to participate in this evolving organization.
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OUR MISSION
We are dedicated to promoting and advocating for humane/non-lethal methods to control and reduce the Atlantic Beach cat population. By employing the proven method of Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), we look for an immediate decrease in the number of cats , as well as ways in which the human population can coexist with a healthy yet steadily- diminishing cat population. Population stabilization will occur once 70% of a site is TNR'd. Ongoing long-term population reduction through attrition will then occur at 90%.
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TRAP-NEUTER-RETURN (TNR)
TNR is the cutting-edge of feral cat control. It's the accepted method in large and small jurisdictions in every region of the U.S. It is a humane, non-lethal method of feline population control that has been proven to work. It is more cost-effective than trap and kill, more reflective of a caring society, and is used nationwide. Cats are trapped, spayed/neutered and returned to their “colony.” They are then managed and controlled under the watchful eyes of responsible caretakers. The cats receive a rabies vaccination and are eartipped so that any newcomers can be easily identified and TNR'd. An eartipped cat is the universal symbol of a cat from a managed site. With this program, there is an immediate reduction in the number of cats since kittens, friendly, sick or injured cats are not returned to the colony. Over time and through attrition, the population reduction will be even greater. One unspayed female cat can be responsible for producing 30 kittens in one year, and of course the numbers dramatically increase exponentially. The key to having zero population growth and ultimately attrition in each colony is to TNR each and every cat within that colony. Population stabilization will occur once 70% of a site is TNR'd. Ongoing long-term population reduction through humane attrition will then occur at 90%.
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BACKYARD CATS
Do you have your own little colony taking up residence in your yard? These cats need to undergo the TNR process NOW! It is good for you, the community, and the cats. Contact us for instructions and help on how to TNR. You will also be able to participate in Atlantic Beach Cats' low-cost spay/neuter plan. Please do not allow your housecat to roam, but be sure to spay or neuter and affix proper I.D. in the event he does.
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NEIGHBORHOOD CATS OF NYC
Neighborhood Cats is an established and respected TNR organization. With the support of Mayor Bloomberg, they have grown from 3 cat feeders to a corps of top-notch humane trappers offering TNR services. They are responsible for having TNR'd thousands of cats and ensured that NYC's feral population be included in the city's move toward no-kill policies. Neighborhood Cats and Atlantic Beach Cats worked in partnership during the initial trapping phase. Neighborhood Cats continues to function in an advisory capacity to Atlantic Beach Cats. click here for web site
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PARTICIPATING VETS
We currently have two participating veterinary hospitals. Both share the goals of ABCats and are participating in the program with very low-cost services. We are approaching the initial phase of our program with the herd approach, and these veterinarians have been very generous by incorporating our requirements into their normal practice.
• All Creatures Veterinary Hospital – 733 West Park Ave.– Long Beach – 516 432-2946
Dr. Lewis Gelfand, Dr. Geltman, Dr. Guzman
• Aaronson Animal Hospital – 320 Peninsula Boulevard – Cedarhurst – 516-295-4500
Dr. Morton Aaronson
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ADOPT-A-CARETAKING-SITE
Sites are areas in which cats have lived for many years. Once TNR'd, cats are returned to these sites where they are maintained and monitored by compassionate caregivers. If uneartipped cats are observed, they are immediately TNR'd so that the population is never allowed to increase. Our Adopt-A-Caretaking-Site concept requires several volunteers partnering to maintain one colony. This allows for daily site maintenance through a modest time donation by volunteers. In accordance with the Adopt-A-Caretaking-Site program, cats are to be maintained only by ABCats volunteers.
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Please help!
No Experience Necessary!
Give Your Time When Available! E-mail us at atlanticbeachcats@yahoo.com , or call The Village Hall, 516-371-4600,
and tell us what works for you.
• Fundraising
• Donations Solicitation
• Product And Material Donations
• Community Outreach
• Trapping Assistance
• Transport To And From Vet
• Equipment Maintenance
• Caretaking: Adopt-A-Site
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DONATE
The goal of cat population stabilization & reduction through
attrition is ambitious but definitely attainable. For the program to work, we must be thorough in our approach and
need to TNR in every area of our Village. Spay
and neuter fees are paid for solely through donations. We
are totally dependent upon donations to support this part
of our Trap-Neuter-Release Program. Without your donation we
will be unable to reach the goal of a truly meaningful and significant reduction in
the number of cats. Atlantic Beach Cats is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation. Your donation is tax--deductible. Please click on the link to donate or mail check, payable to Atlantic Beach Cats.
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CAT FOOD DRIVE
We always need canned and dry food and appreciate any quantity you can give - one can/bag or greater quantities. Leave food in bin at Village Office, and leave your name and address in the office for a receipt.
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Creative Residents
of Atlantic Beach (C.R.A.B)
is a
program formed by residents for structured youth involvement.
abcrab.tripod.com
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