JFK Cats Update: Rally December 18

for immediate release (please cross-post)

contact: Neighborhood Cats
212-662-5761
headcat@neighborhoodcats.org
for more info on JFK: www.neighborhoodcats.org

Standstill with Port Authority Sparks New Protest to End JFK Cats Extermination Program – Trapping Reportedly Suspended, Additional Help Needed to End Exterminations Permanently


(NEW YORK, Dec. 5, 2007) In Defense of Animals and Neighborhood Cats have called for another demonstration at the headquarters of Port Authority of NY and NJ on Tuesday, December 18, from 12:30pm to 1:30 pm. Following the rally at 225 Park Avenue South (betwn. E. 18th and E. 19th Sts. just north of Union Square), a number of representatives of prominent local and national animal welfare groups, including the ASPCA, Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, and Humane Society of NY, plan to address the Port Authority's Board of Commissioners.

"We're concerned about the lack of progress in putting a permanent end to the killing of hundreds of feral cats at JFK Airport and instead implementing a Trap-Neuter-Return project," said Valerie Sicignano, East Coast Coordinator for In Defense of Animals. The eradication campaign was suspended this past November 15 following intense public pressure and media coverage. Animal activists are concerned the Port Authority may simply be trying to "wait it out" until things quiet down, then re-start the effort to trap the cats and dump them on local animal control shelters.

WHAT YOU CAN DO