feral cat resouce: Hayward California

Group works to fix feral cat problem
Daily Review Online, California - Sep 1, 2006
[Excerpt]
These felines have found local friends among volunteer groups such as Hayward Friends of the Animal Humane Society, which seeks to stabilize the feral cat population through a process known as trap, neuter and return (TNR).
[Excerpt]
Most feral cats can't be tamed and must be trapped or sedated to be touched. Rather than take them to a shelter and have them euthanized, Krause opts for the humane route and has them fixed to stop the cycle of reproduction. The cats also are given vaccines, flea treatments and an "ear notch," an indicator that the animal already has been neutered. The cats are then released back into the wild.
Steve Sapontzis and his wife, Jeanne Gocker, founded the Hayward Friends of the Animal Humane Society more than five years ago. The two work to raise funds for the cats' surgeries and this year received a grant fromPetSmart Charity for $10,000. Last year they funded the surgeries of more than 250 cats. So far this year they have already spayed and neutered more than 175.
[Excerpt]
"I am on the side of fix and release," said Sue Hughes, a veterinarian at Hayward's Chabot Veterinary Clinic. "I don't like killing animals as a solution to a problem. There are people who diligently keep the colonies and stabilize them."