Bideawee, ARF Team Up To Help East End's Feral Cats

EAST END, NY — Two local animal rescue groups teamed up recently to help help the feral cat population population on the East End.

The Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons has partnered up with Bideawee for the initiative. On December 9, ARF traveled west to Bideawee’s Westhampton facility for the first of what will be monthly spay/neuter clinics to address the feral cat population in Suffolk County, ARF said.

ARF’s medical team, led by Medical Director Dr. Christine Asaro, vaccinated and spayed/neutered 30 feral cats "to reduce the exponential growth of free-roaming cats and the suffering of countless kittens in the future," ARF said.

The surgeries took place on ARF’s mobile spay/neuter van at Bideawee, and ARF’s staff and volunteers managed intake and recovery for the cats in Bideawee’s facility, organizers said.

For years, both ARF and Bideawee have been battling the same issue separately using the Trap-Neuter-Return, or TNR, approach, what organizers say is the most "humane and effective" way to manage the feral cat population.

Since its inception in 1997, ARF’s "Operation Cat" program, known as Op Cat, has altered and
vaccinated more than 28,000 free-roaming cats in Suffolk County.

A large network of volunteer caretakers has also provided food and shelter for cat colonies, ensuring that the cats remain healthy while their numbers decline over time, due to TNR, ARF said.

In 2019, Bideawee assumed responsibility for the Feral Cat Initiative, formerly run by the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, which has assisted more than 200,000 feral cats. FCI is a source of information for the public in areas including free training and support, as well as access to resources and services to promote TNR and responsible colony
management.

FCI plays a key role in directing colony caretakers to TNR services like Op Cat, ARF said.

“As longtime TNR advocates, we are thrilled about this exciting partnership between our organizations. TNR saves countless kittens from being born on our streets and keeps the free-roaming cats of Long Island safe and healthy," said Leslie Granger, CAWA, president and CEO of Bideawee. "Thank you to ARF and all who have helped make this partnership successful.”

ARF’s CEO and Executive Director Scott Howe added: "It's essential for animal welfare organizations to work together to achieve their common goals, and Bideawee is one of ARF's go-to partners."

The next clinic is set for Thursday, January 13. Free appointments must be made in advance online here.