Becky Robinson, CEO and Founder of Alley Cat Allies
This Wednesday, February 17th, the Helen Woodward Animal Center in Australia is hosting for the first time, The Business of Saving Lives conference with Becky Robinson, president and founder of Alley Cat Allies, presenting the topic, Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR). She will explain why policies which focus on killing cats do not work as a means to control cat populations.
Robinson will explain why the proposed policy by Australia’s Minister for the Environment to kill cats as a means to control cat populations is not the answer. According to the press release I received, Robinson states, “The only solution for Australia is to do what other countries around the world facing the same situation have already found to be successful: adoption of nonlethal methods, including Trap-Neuter-Return programs. TNR is successfully used in the U.K., Denmark, South Africa, Israel, Panama, Mexico, and Canada. If it works for those countries, it can work for Australia.”
Robinson’s presentation will delve into nonlethal population control and the role cats play in the complex ecosystem. She will explain how to conduct a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program for outdoor, unowned cats, also known as community cats, and best practices for their care. Robinson will present along with top innovators in animal protection, including Mike Arms, CEO of the Helen Woodward Animal Center; Diane Blankenburg, CEO and principal consultant of the Humane Network; and other experts.
Maggie’s Rescue of Australia, the Helen Woodward Animal Center, and Alley Cat Allies are hosting the three-day event at the University of Sydney with leaders and professionals from around the world sharing the newest developments and most innovative strategies while lending support to Australian groups working toward humane treatment of animals. The conference will include workshops on animal rescue and shelter management, advocacy, compassion fatigue, legislation, public relations, social media best practices and more.
The conference will take place at the Charles Perkins Centre at the University of Sydney between Feb. 15 and Feb. 17, 2016. To learn more about the conference, information about the conference is posted on this page of the www.alleycat.org website
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If anyone can explain why Trap Neuter Return is beneficial and necessary for outside cats, it’s Becky Robinson. Through her hard work, she’s been saving cats lives for years. Congratulations on your latest endeavor, Becky.
Feral cats are forced to live in harsh conditions with the very cold and the very hot. How is that fair to a cat? Why do any of you cat activists support subjecting them to elements we’re told not to leave our own pets in? That seems cruel to me.
Yay!
TNR is the answer to saving cats.
Good for Becky! Getting the word out all over the world will save more cats’ lives. Cats who end up in shelters are killed most of the time. It’s bad for dogs and cats in shelters but it’s worse for cats. The majority won’t make it out alive. Way to go, Becky Robinson!
I like cats but I don’t like them roaming around on my property leaving their “marks” on my grass when I’m not the one “taking care” of them. My neighbors don’t realize feeding wild cats affects an entire neighborhood not just the person who is feeding them. I’m against TNR but not against cats.
It’s difficult to find educated people who write quality aritcles. Your work stands out among others. Keep up the good work!
I can’t stand cats. They kill rabbits. Have you ever heard a rabbit scream while being killed by a cat? Cats play with them as they torture them to death. I don’t want feral cats in my neighborhood and others who have a colony are imposing their beliefs on me since “their” cats roam onto everyone’s property. I can’t stop one neighbor from putting out a huge dish of food which invites all the feral cats around the area. Who gives you this right?
Any meat-eating animal will kill when hungry. Feed them, neuter them, and the problem will be eased as painlessly as it can be. ‘What gives them the right?’ seems a rather odd question unless you object to all animals in your neighbourhood.
I mean, what right do I have to feed pigeons? Maybe a neighbour doesn’t like pigeons – but part of living together means getting along without too much hostility.
I know that nature can be cruel but I believe that as humans we can mitigate that to some extent (and in the future to a greater extent).
And if the potential for cruelty was the original cause of the dislike then I don’t see how more cruelty can be an answer. There are humane ways to discourage animals from visiting your garden if it bothers you that much.
Especially as whatever cruelties a cats – or dogs, or other animals – might inflict are less than those now regularly been turned up by hidden abbatoir and factory farm footage.
Thanks for openly sharing. Years ago my mom told me if you have a pet, it’s your duty to take care of it all of its life. Cats seem to be disposable so easily. Too many feral cats because of irresponsible owners.