[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 29 (Thursday, February 15, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2019-S2020]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                             SPAY DAY 2007

 Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, as a veterinarian, I often have 
animal issues called to my attention by people who--rightly--assume 
that my background gives me a deeper appreciation of the matter. One 
such animal issue that goes largely unnoticed is the problem of 
homeless cats in urban areas. There are an estimated 125,000 such cats 
in the Denver metro area that never make it to a shelter. These cats, 
unowned and unsocialized, continue to breed and suffer in feral 
colonies.
  I am pleased to recognize today Spay Day USA, an event designed to 
manage feral cat colonies through spaying and neutering. On February 
26, the Rocky Mountain Alley Cat Alliance is cohosting Spay a Stray Day 
with the Cat Care Society and the Dumb Friends League. A host of 
veterinarians and other volunteers hope to spay and neuter 120 cats 
that day, thus preventing the births of hundreds of unwanted kittens.
  The Rocky Mountain Alley Cat Alliance was founded in 1991. They work 
with volunteers, veterinarians, and citizens to prevent feral and stray 
kittens from being born on the street and to improve the lives of those 
already born and abandoned. They are the only local organization that 
specializes in nonlethal population control and hands on assistance 
with feral and stray cats. Last year, the alliance spayed or neutered 
over 2,000 feral and stray cats, preventing an estimated 50,000 
homeless kittens from being born. They treat injuries and illnesses 
wherever possible and find homes for abandoned cats and kittens. 
Unmanaged feral cat colonies experience the worst forms of suffering, 
yet they are the most underserved segment of companion animal 
overpopulation.
  I am grateful for the alliance's contribution to our society and the 
good they will do on the 26th with their partners. I wish them 
continued success.

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