New Low-cost Cat Spay/Neuter Program in Broome County Grows

The Ten Lives reduced spay/neuter program for cats is just about a year old and is working to extend more cats' lives in Broome County.

Spokeswoman, Barbara Defeo, appearing on the local public affairs show, Southern Tier Close Up February 15, says the program can help big-hearted people who want to take in a cat but can't afford the full cost of altering the feline, to be able to own the pet.  Defeo says it also gets more cats out of the breeding cycle that has resulted in an out-of-control cat population boom.

The group has been transporting cats to Cortland to a similar low-cost program that has a network of veterinarians doing surgeries at lower prices.  In addition to needing funds to pay for the transportation to and from Cortland, Defeo says Ten Lives is working to get its own network of veterinarians in the Binghamton area and would like to be able to pay half of the cost of the surgery.

As of the start of this month, Ten Lives has had 160 cats fixed.

More information about the program can be found at www.tenlives.org.

Southern Tier Close Up airs Saturdays at 12:10 p.m. on News Radio 1290 WNBF.