CUTV News Radio Welcomes Back Frank Hamilton Ph.D.

Saint Petersburg, FL - Community cats roam the streets are in every part of the world trying to survive.  They are labeled as “ferals,” “strays,” “free roaming cats” or “community cats” when they have had the misfortune of ending up on the streets through human negligence.  A staggering amount winds up in kill shelters where they are euthanized.

Frank Hamilton is an Associate Professor of Management at Eckerd College and a dedicated Animal Welfare advocate.   He became aware of the challenge of these animals back in the 1990’s and has worked to develop and implement nonlethal solutions.

“What animal control should do is provide low cost spay/neuter, trap, neuter, return (TNR), or return to field (RTF)” says Frank.  “When you trap neighborhood cats and put them down what happens? New cats move in so it’s a vicious cycle therefore it absolutely benefits cats and the public to sterilize the cats and return them.”

“Besides implementing targeted low cost spay/neuter, T.N.R., or RTF, caretakers should be provided with accessible traps and taught how to correctly use them so cats can be trapped safely and brought to a low cost spay neuter facility.”

Aside from having co-founded and directed a spay neuter clinic where he successfully fixed over 100,000 animals; Frank has been conducting studies on community cats.  Conclusively, it’s a certainty that spay/neuter is a must to control the animal population and reduce homeless pets who suffer in shelters.  To make it more accessible and more affordable spay/neuter clinics need to be where the people are including those with lower income who can’t afford the surgery.  

Educating the public it’s a win win for animals, caretakers, and the entire public!