Las Vegas (KSNV) — Heaven Can Wait Animal Society has always been dedicated to providing essential veterinary care to community cats, serving tens of thousands of cats since its founding in 2000.
In honor of National Community Cat Day on October 16, the longstanding nonprofit Spay & Neuter Clinic hosted an event to focus on serving as many community cats as possible.
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Monday's Community Cat Clinic provided spay, neuter, and vaccination services, in addition to other necessary medical care, to all 160 patients brought to the clinic by individual volunteers and partner organizations The Animal Foundation, Las Vegas Valley Humane Society, and C5.
The organization estimates that the services provided will prevent about 500 at-risk kittens from being born on the street in the coming year; it is also the largest estimated clinic just for community cats that have been hosted in the Las Vegas area this year.
“Caring for our community cat population has a positive impact on our shelters and rescues, but also on our neighborhoods and on broader public health,” says Francesca Fulciniti, Executive Director. “Sterilizing and vaccinating these cats keeps their population in check, meaning fewer cats on the streets and fewer kittens overwhelming our city’s resources every spring. It also adds years on average to these cats’ lifespans. With an estimated 200,000 community cats in the Las Vegas area, there’s a lot of work to be done.”
The cats’ visit to the Spay & Neuter Clinic is possibly the only time these free-roaming, unowned cats may ever see a veterinarian, and the visits can save lives right on the spot.
Of the 160 cats serviced on Monday, two had life-threatening growths removed that were preventing breathing. One lucky orange kitty named Turbo was found to be microchipped and was reunited with his family after being missing for four years.
Heaven Can Wait provides all community cat services at heavily discounted rates thanks to the support of individuals and business partners who are passionate about serving this vulnerable population.
To support year-round efforts, as well as future Community Cat Clinics, individuals can donate to the organization’s newly established Community Cat Action Fund here.
