Page 7 - Jupiter Spotlight- May '24

Jupiter Spotlight, Page 7
Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League It’s The Law!

Shares The Importance Of TNVR And Did You Know That, In

How To Help This ‘Kitten Season’ Florida…

By Adam S. Gumson,
Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League takes care of Pe g g y Ad a m s Esq.
hundreds of animals at any given time, and now that it is also reminds the Alimony is not
“kitten season,” the leading animal organization in Palm community that if determined via a state-
Beach County is sharing the importance of TNVR (Trap- you find a litter of sponsored alimony
Neuter-Vaccinate-Return) as an effective solution to help kittens, your first guideline similar to
control the population of outdoor cats. reaction might be the one used in child
During the spring and summer months, female outdoor to bring them to support cases and is
cats experience their breeding cycle, resulting in litters your local animal not a one-size-fits-all
of kittens. This phase is known as “kitten season,” and shelter. But chances calculation. Florida
it lasts for more than half of the year. Female cats that are their mother is provides a number
roam freely outdoors can sometimes give birth to multiple close by – and you of distinct alimony
litters in one season, which can put a significant strain may actually be “kit-napping” them. Once newborns are options: temporary, rehabilitative, bridge-the-gap
on the time, money, and resources required for around- separated from their mother, their chances of survival and durational (i.e., for the length of the marriage)
the-clock care. To address this issue, there’s a program drop dramatically. Check out resources at peggyadams. but no longer consists of permanent alimony (for the
called TNVR, which stands for Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate org/found-kitten-resources before determining how to rest of a spouse’s life). The scope of each type of
and Return. In this program, community cats are humanely intervene when finding kittens. alimony can vary widely depending on the financial
trapped, spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and Currently, Peggy Adams has neonatal kittens who disparity of the parties, the length of the marriage
then released back to their outdoor homes. require foster care. As a neonatal kitten foster, you would and a number of other factors that are considered by
“TNVR is an extremely effective method,” explained take on the responsibility of bottle-feeding some of our the court.
Alyssa Dazza, admissions and TNVR manager, “It smallest orphaned residents every few hours during A personal representative is entrusted with the
works by immediately stabilizing the cat colony’s size by their critical first few weeks of life. Peggy Adams will responsibility of carrying out the wishes outlined in
eliminating new litters. This reduces nuisance behaviors provide volunteers with comprehensive training, essential a person’s will. Typically, a personal representative is
such as yowling, fighting and marking territories with supplies and ongoing support, and in return, you shower a trusted family member, friend, attorney or financial
urine. Returning the cat to its original location prevents them with love! If you or someone you know would like institution and has a duty to marshal and sell property,
new intact cats from moving in and restarting the cycle of to help care for a neonatal foster or learn more, visit pay creditors and distribute assets during the probate
overpopulation. As a result, it helps reduce the number of peggyadams.org/foster. process. Selecting a reliable and responsible personal
kittens and cats flowing into local shelters, which in turn About Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League representative is a crucial decision that ensures a
lowers euthanasia rates and increases the adoption of cats Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League is an independent smooth transition of assets and honors the wishes of
already in animal shelters.” nonprofit organization operating continuously since 1925. the decedent.
Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League offers residents of Peggy Adams provides critical services to more than Guardianship is when a court appoints a surrogate
Palm Beach County free trap loans with a refundable deposit 35,000 animals each year and collaborates with local decision-maker for personal and/or financial decisions
during our hours of operation for TNVR. Peggy Adams area organizations to expand the lifesaving work in Palm for a minor or an adult with mental or physical
loaned out over 1,800 humane traps in 2023 and has a goal Beach County. disabilities (the ward). One of the most common
of 2,000 in 2024. Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League has a 4-star rating reasons as to why a ward needs a guardian is to
Note: Palm Beach County Ordinance 98-22 forbids from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent receive proceeds from a lawsuit, insurance policy or
trapping cats for any other reason than for TNVR or vet care. charity navigator. For more information and to donate, inheritance. Guardianship is a last resort, especially
To learn more, visit peggyadams.org/tnvr. please visit PeggyAdams.org. where naming someone as attorney-in-fact under a
durable power of attorney, health care surrogate or
trustee could be a lesser restrictive alternative.
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Center, 1003 W. Indiantown Road, Suite 210, Jupiter,
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