WILMINGTON — Global Cat Day is Friday, Oct. 16 and Clinton County advocates of cats invite you to learn what can be done to manage the ownerless cat population through the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) method for stray and feral cats.

Longtime humane society volunteer Eileen Brady has told the Wilmington News Journal in the past that “animal over-population is a constant battle in Clinton County, which faces recurring issues with a major feral cat problem.”

One thing to learn by visiting the Alley Cat Allies website — www.alleycat.org — is that whenever you see an outdoor cat with just the top ⅜-inch of the left ear missing, that’s the recognized sign of a cat that has been spayed or neutered.

Cats are eartipped while they’re under anesthesia for spay or neuter surgery.

Since its founding in 1990, Alley Cat Allies has championed Trap-Neuter-Return as the only humane and effective approach for community cat management.

Among advocates of cat welfare, free-roaming stray and feral cats often are collectively known as community cats.

Willie is a one-eyed longhair who will be going up for adoption soon at PAWS Pet Adoption Center. People may make appointments to see him and PAWS can put a hold on him for an adopter.

https://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2020/10/web1_black_cat.jpgWillie is a one-eyed longhair who will be going up for adoption soon at PAWS Pet Adoption Center. People may make appointments to see him and PAWS can put a hold on him for an adopter. Submitted photos

This is Gretel, who is at the PAWS Pet Adoption Center located at 5312 U.S. Route 68 north of Wilmington.

https://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2020/10/web1_cat_3_c.jpgThis is Gretel, who is at the PAWS Pet Adoption Center located at 5312 U.S. Route 68 north of Wilmington. Submitted photos

This 5-month-old long-haired cat is named Hansel, and is a brother of Gretel. Presently, PAWS has about 65 cats with several being in temporary foster homes. In addition to PAWS, the Clinton County Humane Society, 1760 Fife Avenue in Wilmington, offers adoptable kittens and cats.

https://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2020/10/web1_cat_crop.jpgThis 5-month-old long-haired cat is named Hansel, and is a brother of Gretel. Presently, PAWS has about 65 cats with several being in temporary foster homes. In addition to PAWS, the Clinton County Humane Society, 1760 Fife Avenue in Wilmington, offers adoptable kittens and cats. Submitted photos