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Group Working On Miami Beach's Feral Cat Problem

MIAMI BEACH (CBS4) - In an effort to cut down on the number of stray and homeless cats on Miami Beach and the health problems they're creating, the Miami Beach Cat Network has launched an initiative to spay and neuter three thousand cats.

On Saturday they set up shop at Miami Beach Fire Station #3 on Collins Avenue at 53rd Street and three veterinarians spent the day performing free sterilizations.

County health officials say the stray cats have been using the sand along the city's beaches as a litter box leading to an increased number of hookworms. Six people have now been treated for hookworms believed to have been contracted from beach sand around the area of 60th street.

Samples of the sand taken from this area, and tested, revealed fresh cat feces and cat food. The hookworm parasite can be carried in cat feces and due to the large stray cat population; officials believe this is the source of the problem.

The Miami-Dade Department of Health advises beach goers to use a towel or blanket when laying on the sand and wear shoes or sandals on the beach.

The Miami Beach Cat Network plans to hold their next free spay/neutering clinic on December 19th.

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