This prevents a new colony of unsterilized cats from moving into the area. A concerned citizen began a grass roots effort to address this problem in May 1998 in Tunica County. With the help of many volunteers, donated supplies and equipment, and a temporary clinic in which to operate, the group sterilized more than 375 cats from the region on five separate occasions. They notched the tip of the left ear during surgery to mark animals that have been sterilized and vaccinated. Veterinary technicians, nurses and others with and without medical experience who are concerned about the welfare of these homeless cats also participate.
Tunica County has no practicing veterinarians.
In May 1999, students from MSU's College of Veterinary Medicine became involved in the effort to help control the feral cat population in this county. The whole process of each team being able to perform 15 to 20 surgeries in a day works like a fine-tuned machine. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that 5 million cats and dogs are abandoned each year and that between 36 and 60 percent of unsterilized pet cats end up wild within three years. Feral cats live in colonies which can be found behind shopping areas and restaurants, and in alleys, parks, abandoned buildings and even rural areas. Rabies is a real threat to these animals.