Page 9 - Jupiter Ocean Mile- May '24

Jupiter Ocean Mile, Page 9

Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League Northern Notes

Shares The Importance Of TNVR And Lightning Safety

By Katie Roundtree,
How To Help This ‘Kitten Season’ Director of Finance and
Administration, Northern
Palm Beach County
Improvement District
Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League takes care of Peggy Adams Lightning, with its
hundreds of animals at any given time, and now that it is also reminds the unpredictable and lethal power,
“kitten season,” the leading animal organization in Palm community that if is one of the most underrated
Beach County is sharing the importance of TNVR (Trap- you find a litter of weather hazards in the United
Neuter-Vaccinate-Return) as an effective solution to help kittens, your first States. Despite the common
control the population of outdoor cats. reaction might be to perception that it only poses
During the spring and summer months, female outdoor cats bring them to your a threat during intense storms,
experience their breeding cycle, resulting in litters of kittens. local animal shelter. the truth is far more sobering. Lightning can strike individuals
This phase is known as “kitten season,” and it lasts for more But chances are their even when the center of a thunderstorm is miles away, with clear
than half of the year. Female cats that roam freely outdoors mother is close by – and you may actually be “kit-napping” skies overhead. This lack of awareness contributes to the startling
can sometimes give birth to multiple litters in one season, them. Once newborns are separated from their mother, their statistics surrounding lightning-related injuries and fatalities.
which can put a significant strain on the time, money, and chances of survival drop dramatically. Check out resources at
resources required for around-the-clock care. To address this peggyadams.org/found-kitten-resources before determining
issue, there’s a program called TNVR, which stands for Trap, how to intervene when finding kittens.
Neuter, Vaccinate and Return. In this program, community Currently, Peggy Adams has neonatal kittens who
cats are humanely trapped, spayed/neutered, vaccinated, require foster care. As a neonatal kitten foster, you would
microchipped and then released back to their outdoor homes. take on the responsibility of bottle-feeding some of our
“TNVR is an extremely effective method,” explained smallest orphaned residents every few hours during
Alyssa Dazza, admissions and TNVR manager, “It works by their critical first few weeks of life. Peggy Adams will
immediately stabilizing the cat colony’s size by eliminating provide volunteers with comprehensive training, essential
new litters. This reduces nuisance behaviors such as yowling, supplies and ongoing support, and in return, you shower
fighting and marking territories with urine. Returning the cat them with love! If you or someone you know would like
to its original location prevents new intact cats from moving to help care for a neonatal foster or learn more, visit
in and restarting the cycle of overpopulation. As a result, it peggyadams.org/foster. Tree struck by lightning in preserve next to a house in PGA
helps reduce the number of kittens and cats flowing into local About Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League National. Source: Sam Payson, Northern Biologist
shelters, which in turn lowers euthanasia rates and increases Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League is an independent
the adoption of cats already in animal shelters.” nonprofit organization operating continuously since 1925. Florida, aptly known as the lightning capital of the United
Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League offers residents of Peggy Adams provides critical services to more than States, experiences around 100 stormy days each year, a stark
Palm Beach County free trap loans with a refundable deposit 35,000 animals each year and collaborates with local contrast to California’s mere five. Its geographical position
during our hours of operation for TNVR. Peggy Adams area organizations to expand the lifesaving work in Palm nestled between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean,
loaned out over 1,800 humane traps in 2023 and has a goal Beach County. combined with its high heat and humidity, creates an ideal
of 2,000 in 2024. Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League has a 4-star rating environment for thunderstorms and lightning. The most
Note: Palm Beach County Ordinance 98-22 forbids from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent dangerous area stretches from St. Augustine in the north to Lake
trapping cats for any other reason than for TNVR or vet care. charity navigator. For more information and to donate, Okeechobee in the south, and from east to west, making it vital
To learn more, visit peggyadams.org/tnvr. please visit PeggyAdams.org. for residents and visitors to stay alert during storm season.
The numbers tell us a lot: Florida tops the charts in
lightning-related deaths, with a staggering 94 percent
occurring between late May and the end of September.
Nationally, an average of 100 lives are claimed by lightning
strikes annually, with Florida accounting for 10 to 13 of those
fatalities and nearly 600 injuries, 30 of which occur within the
state. Surprisingly, lightning takes more lives in the United
States than hurricanes and tornadoes combined, emphasizing
the need for heightened awareness and preparedness.
Dispelling the misconceptions about lightning is crucial
Jupiter Beach Specialists for everyone’s safety. It’s a common belief that lightning
doesn’t strike the same place twice, but iconic structures
like the Empire State Building prove otherwise. Similarly,
reduced the idea that one is safe from lightning if there are no clouds
overhead is shattered by the reality of “bolts from the blue,”
which can strike several miles away from the storm’s center.
When it comes to safety, knowledge is power. Addressing
misconceptions regarding safety measures is equally crucial.
While seeking refuge under a tree may seem intuitive, it’s
the second leading cause of lightning casualties. The safest
action is to seek shelter in fully enclosed buildings or vehicles
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$713,000 sums up the essence of lightning safety. Vigilance, coupled
reduced sold with knowledge and preparedness, can save lives in the face
of nature’s electrifying fury.
NPDES tip: Your neighborhood drainage system is not a
garbage disposal — please don’t treat it like one. Encourage
residents to take responsibility and to not dump chemicals,
fertilizer, paint, oil, etc., in inlets or pipes. Discourage sweeping
of lawn clippings and dirt into street drains and disposing of
lawn clippings and other debris (wood, concrete blocks, trees,

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