Our Animal Control Officer estimates that there are at least 500 feral cats in Hull
Two non-neutered cats and their cumulative offspring (assuming a survival rate of 3 cats per litter) can produce over 500,000 cats during their lifetime. This is way too many cats for a town that encompasses a mere three square miles!

The Hull Seaside Animal Rescue promotes the non-lethal and humane control of the local feral cat program through our trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) program. This effectively reduces the feral cat population by sterilization – as opposed to euthanasia, disease, over-breeding and starvation and coyotes. In the past few months alone, we have treated over 100 feral cats and have socialized and fostered an additional 50 feral kittens.

Our goal is to continue to educate and encourage individuals and neighborhood associations to help us trap-neuter-return our feral colonies, build feral care stations (so they don’t set up homes in your house!) and provide on-going care, shelter, food, supervision, and medical treatment, while finding homes domestic stray cats who join the colony.

Attempts to eradicate whole colonies of cats usually fail because other strays soon fill the ecological vacuum created. Unmanaged colonies are often regarded as a nuisance because of territorial behavior such as spraying, fighting, and caterwauling during mating periods. Neutering results in healthier animals and eliminates undesirable behavior. Sterilization programs stabilize and reduce the colonies. Management of a colony includes regularly feeding and monitoring of the colony as well as providing winter shelter if necessary.

It costs us $75.00 to trap/neuter/vaccinate each feral cat. We have several colonies on our "neuter/vaccinate" waiting list and our funds are quickly running out. Please consider making a financial donation to help us with our neuter/vaccinate operations.

Spay & Neuter Services
Hull Seaside Animal Rescue offers low cost spay and neuter services through The Animal Rescue League.  Please visit their website for more detailed information and for a list of scheduled dates and locations.

Why is it humane to spay.neuter your pet?

Over 100,000 animals are surrendered to shelters or abandoned each year in Massachusetts, and only about 40% will be lucky enough to find new homes.

The cumulative offspring of just two fertile cats can produce up to 54 more cats in only ONE year! In a fairly short time, that one litter of adorable kittens and its cumulative offspring can become hundreds of thousands of unwanted cats. While dogs reproduce at a somewhat slower rate, the too, can reproduce thousands of unwanted puppies during the course of their lifetime.

Spaying/neutering your pet is the only sure way to prevent the birth of unwanted litters. Some people think that spaying/neutering their pet is cruel, but the exact opposite is true! This procedure actually protects the health of your pet! For example, spayed females will avoid the risks of pregnancy and uterine infections, and will be far less likely to develop mammary cancer later in life. Neutering also discourages male cats and dogs from roaming-decreasing the likelihood of fights, car accidents, and disease. Neutering also reduces the tendency to be aggressive toward humans and other animals, as well as lowering your pet's risk of developing prostate cancer and other diseases.

If you can't afford the cost of spay-neuter surgery for your pet, call SPAY/USA. 
SPAY/USA is a nationwide network of people working together to provide affordable spay/neuter programs. Their goal is to reduce the number of unwanted cats and dogs and to stop the suffering. People who need assistance spaying and neutering their pets call their toll-free number, 1-800-248-SPAY. They will be referred to a veterinarian or program in their area that provides affordable spay/neuter services. Callers are mailed a referral slip/certificate to redeem the low spay/neuter rate. Their phone counselors are available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST

MSPCA SNAP - Spay/Neuter Assistance Program
SNAP is intended to assist low-income pet owners afford the cost of spaying/neutering their pet. The MSPCA and Mass. Veterinary Medical Association offer eligible pet owners a discount on spay/neuter surgery. For more information regarding this program or to access their downloadable application, go to MSPCA’s website: http://www.mspca.org.

Alliance for Animals Metro Action Clinic
232 Silver Street
South Boston, MA 02127
(617) 268-7800
Provides low cost spay/neuter and other veterinary services for cats and dogs. Call or visit their  web site for directions and current fees: www.afaboston.org

Standish Humane Society (SHS): offers a reduced-cost spay/neuter program in which 26 veterinary hospitals participate. SHS offers free spaying/neutering to owners who have pets but cannot afford to sterilize them. They assist animal control officers with the sterilization of dogs and cats in their shelters/pounds. For more information, call 781-834-1803 or visit their website:  www.standishhumanesociety.com

Client payment plans for veterinary care are available at these animal hospitals through the CareCredit plan:
• Angell Memorial Hospital; Jamaica Plain, MA
• VCA Hospital; Weymouth, MA