Catchin' Tales BG - Neutering Campaign, Bulgaria
Donation protected
Hi everyone and thank you for visiting my GoFundMe page! My name is Dan and I have arranged to spend about a year working alongside Street Hearts BG to run a cat neutering programme. Initially, we would be looking to run the programme from Spring 2019 to Spring 2020.
Street Hearts BG are a registered Non-Government Organisation who work with the Dryanovo Municipality in Bulgaria. Their aim is to reduce the number of street dogs and unwanted puppies by running a neutering and education campaign. They also rescue, rehabilitate and rehome any dogs that cannot live life on the streets.
In the text below, we have outlined our aim, how the money will be used and some facts about the benefits of neutering cats. We would be very grateful for any donations, no matter how big or small, to enable us to run and maintain the neutering programme. Thank you!
Our aim
Our aim is to reduce the stray cat population in and around Dryanovo, Bulgaria. This can be achieved by setting-up a Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) programme and educating the public in caring for their pets and the cats in the community.
The neutering programme will reduce the pregnancy-rate amongst pets and the number of cats living on the streets. Neutered stray & feral cats will no longer produce unwanted kittens. These kittens would go on to produce kittens themselves, which creates a vicious cycle and results in overpopulation. A neutered pet population will decrease the instances of cats being abandoned due to pregnancy, illnesses and unwanted behaviours associated with unneutered cats.
Education is also important in reducing the number of street cats, therefore we aim to provide information and assistance to the public to facilitate and encourage the neutering of their pets and community cats. An educated community, who neuter their cats and understand the responsibility that comes with pet ownership, will empower others to follow their example.
How the money will be used
Any money donated will go towards the costs associated with the neutering process. This includes the following:
· Neutering procedure: It costs 40 leva (~£18) to castrate a male and 70 leva (~£32) to spay a female.
· Trapping equipment: In order to catch street cats for neutering, we will need to purchase trapping equipment such as traps, sheets (for covering the traps), food, gloves and maintenance tools i.e. pliers, WD40.
· After surgery care: Before being released back to their territories, cats need a safe and secure place to allow for sufficient recuperation time. Therefore we will need holding cages, food, bowls, litter trays and blankets.
· Education materials: Funds can be used to produce posters, flyers, information booklets etc. to help spread the word about the need to spay and neuter.
Facts
Cats are prolific breeders!
· Females can easily give birth 3 times a year, with an average of 4-6 kittens per litter. Therefore, it is possible that one cat can give birth to 18 kittens a year.
· Pregnancy lasts for 9 weeks, with females often coming back into season as early as 6 weeks after giving birth.
· A single female cat, along with the offspring she produces, can be responsible for 12,000 cats in just 5 years.
Neutering offers many benefits, both to the cat and human populations.
Benefits for cats:
· Reduces the risk of cancer: Males can’t develop testicular cancer. Females can’t develop ovarian or uterine cancer and are at a lower risk of mammary cancer.
· Reduces the risk of injury and disease: The chances of catching Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) or sustaining injuries from fighting are greatly reduced.
· Reduces stress: The stress of the heat cycles and looking for a mate is removed.
· Improves behaviour: Less noise, spraying and straying!
Benefits for people:
· It can save money: Neutered cats don’t eat as much and there is a reduced chance of them requiring veterinary treatment.
· It improves home life: No calling or wailing from females in heat and no smelly urine from males looking for a mate.
· People will be part of the solution: The community will help to improve the lives of their pets and the cats living on the streets.
Street Hearts BG are a registered Non-Government Organisation who work with the Dryanovo Municipality in Bulgaria. Their aim is to reduce the number of street dogs and unwanted puppies by running a neutering and education campaign. They also rescue, rehabilitate and rehome any dogs that cannot live life on the streets.
In the text below, we have outlined our aim, how the money will be used and some facts about the benefits of neutering cats. We would be very grateful for any donations, no matter how big or small, to enable us to run and maintain the neutering programme. Thank you!
Our aim
Our aim is to reduce the stray cat population in and around Dryanovo, Bulgaria. This can be achieved by setting-up a Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) programme and educating the public in caring for their pets and the cats in the community.
The neutering programme will reduce the pregnancy-rate amongst pets and the number of cats living on the streets. Neutered stray & feral cats will no longer produce unwanted kittens. These kittens would go on to produce kittens themselves, which creates a vicious cycle and results in overpopulation. A neutered pet population will decrease the instances of cats being abandoned due to pregnancy, illnesses and unwanted behaviours associated with unneutered cats.
Education is also important in reducing the number of street cats, therefore we aim to provide information and assistance to the public to facilitate and encourage the neutering of their pets and community cats. An educated community, who neuter their cats and understand the responsibility that comes with pet ownership, will empower others to follow their example.
How the money will be used
Any money donated will go towards the costs associated with the neutering process. This includes the following:
· Neutering procedure: It costs 40 leva (~£18) to castrate a male and 70 leva (~£32) to spay a female.
· Trapping equipment: In order to catch street cats for neutering, we will need to purchase trapping equipment such as traps, sheets (for covering the traps), food, gloves and maintenance tools i.e. pliers, WD40.
· After surgery care: Before being released back to their territories, cats need a safe and secure place to allow for sufficient recuperation time. Therefore we will need holding cages, food, bowls, litter trays and blankets.
· Education materials: Funds can be used to produce posters, flyers, information booklets etc. to help spread the word about the need to spay and neuter.
Facts
Cats are prolific breeders!
· Females can easily give birth 3 times a year, with an average of 4-6 kittens per litter. Therefore, it is possible that one cat can give birth to 18 kittens a year.
· Pregnancy lasts for 9 weeks, with females often coming back into season as early as 6 weeks after giving birth.
· A single female cat, along with the offspring she produces, can be responsible for 12,000 cats in just 5 years.
Neutering offers many benefits, both to the cat and human populations.
Benefits for cats:
· Reduces the risk of cancer: Males can’t develop testicular cancer. Females can’t develop ovarian or uterine cancer and are at a lower risk of mammary cancer.
· Reduces the risk of injury and disease: The chances of catching Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) or sustaining injuries from fighting are greatly reduced.
· Reduces stress: The stress of the heat cycles and looking for a mate is removed.
· Improves behaviour: Less noise, spraying and straying!
Benefits for people:
· It can save money: Neutered cats don’t eat as much and there is a reduced chance of them requiring veterinary treatment.
· It improves home life: No calling or wailing from females in heat and no smelly urine from males looking for a mate.
· People will be part of the solution: The community will help to improve the lives of their pets and the cats living on the streets.
Organizer
Dan Gorman
Organizer
England
