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Yonkers Budgets $15K For Curbing Feral Cat Population

YONKERS, N.Y. -- Animal Defenders of Westchester has announced that, after months of negotiations, the city of Yonkers has allotted $15,000 into its budget for trap, neuter and release, or TNR, efforts, which will help stop the proliferation of homeless and helpless cats.

Animal Defenders of Westchester has announced that the city of Yonkers has allotted $15,000 to trap, neuter and release feral cats after the worst case of animal cruelty occurred in Yonkers.

Animal Defenders of Westchester has announced that the city of Yonkers has allotted $15,000 to trap, neuter and release feral cats after the worst case of animal cruelty occurred in Yonkers.

Photo Credit: File

This comes after the worst case of animal cruelty in Westchester history was discovered in Yonkers in April: An eviscerated cat was found dangling from a tree branch; black bags containing 25 others were strung from trees.

These cats were beaten to death; some had died a year ago, others were newly killed kittens. The sheer numbers and brutality of this case were reported all over the U.S. and the world. This case remains unsolved despite a massive public outcry and the offer of a reward of almost $25,000 for information leading to an arrest.

ADOW had begun requesting TNR assistance from Yonkers several months before this incident, after the huge amount of homeless cats was revealed during a previous case of cat poisonings there.

Numerous studies -- and in-state experience -- show TNR effectively stabilizes and reduces cat colonies through natural attrition and adoption of socialized cats. 

'This is a milestone chapter in the history of humane treatment. It's an acknowledgement by Yonkers of the aid needed for its resident cats, a statement that Yonkers does not tolerate cruelty and strives for respect and kindness toward all its citizens," said Kiley Blackman, founder of ADOW. 

"We have had a relationship with (Mike) Spano, who has been a friend to animals for years. Thank you, Mayor Spano, for compassionately sending a message that Yonkers cares about its tiniest helpless victims who cannot speak but want to keep their lives and suffer pain and fear just as we do. No one has a right to hurt them."

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