Do you want to help every stray cat you see? Does the sight of whiskers make you go “awww?” Well, you’re not alone! The Greenpoint Cat Club meets once a month at Archestratus (160 Huron Street) to discuss issues and solve problems on behalf of the feral cats of our ‘hood. You already know that many local residents try to help the outdoor kitties. Bowls of cat food are tucked away in corners all around our neighborhood waiting to feed the hungry masses. We’re a sympathetic bunch!
There are over 50,000 stray cats in New York and hundreds in Greenpoint, presumably subsisting on kielbasa scraps and other fallen Polish delicacies. One of the major problems facing our community is that when people move, they sometimes sadly leave their house cats behind to fend for themselves. This is cruel behavior, as domesticated cats are not equipped to care for themselves in the wild. The streets are very dangerous for feral cats, and the best you can do if you find yourself in the sad situation of having to give up an animal is to find them a new home. Muddy Paws (447 Graham Ave) pet store has adoption events every Sunday from 2pm-5pm and you can find someone there who will help you find the resources you need.
Not only is it extremely dangerous for cats on the streets, but the ones who are not spayed or neutered inevitably find other cats to breed with and, before long, the stray population increases exponentially. Another challenge facing our urban kitties is that, as Greenpoint has developed, new buildings have risen in formerly abandoned feline-friendly spaces, and the waterfront, once home to a large percentage of our feral cat population, has been overtaken by humans in our bustling, super-hip neighborhood. With this reduction in safe places to hide, cats are in further danger from cars and those who would do them harm.
Luckily, we have some amazing members of our community who are working to minimize the problem. Chris Cobb founded the Greenpoint Cat Club and has been doing wonderful work for the neighborhood ever since. Chris says, “the whole point is to reduce the cat population in the most pragmatic and humane way we can!” By conducting TNRs (trap, neuter, release), they are controlling the stray population humanely. Doing so requires teamwork. The ASPCA performs the operations and allows the cats a few days to heal before releasing them back to the location where they were found. Before being released, the cat’s ear gets tipped, or clipped, which lets humans know that the cat has already been spayed or neutered. So, if you see a kitty with one flat topped ear, you’ll know they’ve been fixed.
Interested in learning about how you can help? Have questions about a stray on your block and want advice? Attend one of the Greenpoint Cat Club meetings! They talk about the kitties we’re currently helping, coordinate efforts such as transport and fostering, and discuss how they can work together. They’re held the last Saturday of each month at noon. That’s right–you don’t have to wait long to start helping the local kitty population. The next meeting is this Saturday at Archestratus! Stop by and find out meow you can help!
Archestratus | 160 Huron St
NEXT CAT CLUB MEETING TOMORROW, Saturday, July 22nd 12pm