Shelter Awarded $25K Grant To Help Spay/Neuter 400 Cats

CALVERTON, NY — In news that just the cat's meow, the Kent Animal Shelter announced this week that it was awarded a grant of $ 25,000 by the Alexander and Elisabeth Lewyt Charitable Trust to spay and neuter cats.

The trust was established by the Lewyts, longtime residents of Long Island who are considered pioneers in the effort to promote the no-kill movement of animals, Kent said in a release.

In addition, the trust was created to continue their work to promote animal welfare and eliminate the unnecessary euthanasia of animals. The $25,000 gift was specifically designated for the purpose of providing financial assistance for spay/neuter surgeries performed at the Kent Animal Shelter’s on-site clinic, a release said.

The spay/neuter campaigns begin in March and will continue throughout April to sterilize 400 felines.

A total of 100 feral cats will be neutered in March free of charge and 100 domesticated or owned cats for a $25 co-pay, Kent said. Feral cats must be presented in traps. All feral cats will be ear-tipped, designating that they are feral so that they will not be trapped again in the future. If the medical staff feels that a domesticated cat has been presented as feral in a trap, the clinic reserves the right to charge full price for the spay/neuter surgery, the release said.

"Kent Animal Shelter recognizes that the only way to mitigate the suffering of homeless animals is to control pet overpopulation that leads to abandonment and abuse. That is why the spay/neuter program is a vital part of the mission of the shelter," Kent said, adding that more than 3,500 animals are sterilized annually.

Owners of domesticated cats or those individuals who would like to have a feral cat spayed or neutered are encouraged to call the Kent Animal Shelter at 631-727-5731 ext. 2 for additional information and to make an appointment. A limited number of traps are available at the shelter and are loaned for a small, returnable deposit.