AUBURN - Cat expert Marvin Quaid said two felines could possibly multiply into a million more cats in a 10-year period.

Quaid, an Auburn resident who owns a business called the Pet Pantry, said that cats are capable of reproducing every six months.

With a gestation period of about 60 days and an average litter of five kittens, it's mathematically possible for two animals to be responsible for one million more offspring during that time.

The importance of spaying and neutering cats, particularly feral (wild) ones, was the subject of a lecture and demonstration held Wednesday night at the YMCA, in Auburn.

“Feral Cat Trapping Training,” which took place in the YMCA's Meeting House, featured discussion and demonstrations by Quaid and other local experts on how to safely control the feral feline population.

“We want people in the community to know that there is a safe, humane way to trap cats that are in the wild, and that having them spayed or neutered keeps their population down,” said program organizer Rita Sarnicola, prior to the meeting.

Sarnicola, who owns her own business called the Animal Resource Center, said that Cayuga County residents regularly approach her about problems with stray cats.

“I decided to present a program like this to the community because a lot of people just don't know what to do about (a feral cat) problem,” she continued.

Sarnicola contacted experts like Quaid, who agreed to speak at Wednesday's program, which was free to the public.

“A can of tuna is your key,” he said to begin his demonstration. �With 40 years of cat-trapping experience under his belt, Quaid has his technique practically down to a science.

His method requires the use of a fishing net, heavy leather gloves, several cans of food like tuna and a bit of patience.

For several days, a person should simply place the food on the ground, he explained, and stand a few feet away while the animal eats.

“You do this to first gain the cat's trust,” he said.

One should decrease the distance from the animal each day, until he or she is within a few feet of the cat.

“Get yourself a good fishing net - and make sure it's the strong nylon kind - and when the chance comes, put the net over (the animal).”

A person should then stand on the handle until the cats stops thrashing around, then tie the animal in the net with rope or string - “always wearing those heavy gloves,” he said - before taking it to the veterinarian to be spayed or neutered.

“And I always release them back into the wild ... if you take them to (an animal shelter), chances are they'll just be put down eventually,” he added.

The group, which included a handful of guests, then briefly discussed methods of building cat shelters from styrofoam or plastic. The evening ended with the experts answering questions from the other guests.

Sarnicola said that the group plans on meeting again to discuss other cat population issues, but details have not been decided.

To learn more

What: Cat population discussions

Where: YMCA Meeting House, 27 William St., Auburn

For more information, call Rita Sarnicola at 255-1405