Bravo!
I wish someone would start a program like that around here. feral cats are a
major health threat to our children and other pets.
I've spent the last 3 summers battling hookworm in my german shepherd
because the nieghbors feed
"the poor hungry kitties" without assuming full reponsibility for these
large vermin.
this year alone vet bills for hookworm topped $500. the cats leave little
"presents" all over the place.
maybe I'll start up a trapping program and donate to the local shooting
range. sponsor me?
--
"Display tolerance & kindness to those with less
knowledge than you because there is ALWAYS
someone with more"
Sarah would you like to buy a Davey Crockett hat made from a whole cat skin?
They skin the cats, tan the hides, and sell them to raise funds for the cat
traps.
I personally sponsor twelve cat traps annually, which would result in a
minimum of 1,200 cats shot, and hopefully more. I think the figures last
year for my sponsored cat traps was over 1,500.
If you like, I will sponsor another two traps in your own name.
Most places now have cat curfews and hopefully in five years we will be rid
of cats. The damn things breed worse than Catholics.
Cats swamp shelter
Saturday, 31 July 2004
RECORD numbers of Bendigo cats were on death row yesterday, less than a
month after the local council introduced a cat curfew.
Officials yesterday confirmed that the RSCPA animal shelter in East Bendigo
had more than six times its usual number of cats waiting to be euthanised.
Cat owners fearing a fine and City of Greater Bendigo rangers have
consistently dumped cats at the shelter since the sunset-to-sunrise curfew
was adopted on July 5.
Residents face fines and costs of up to $150 if their cat is caught
wandering at night and impounded.
Shelter manager Fred Cameron said he had never seen so many cats abandoned
in his 30 years in the job.
"There are a lot of people surrendering their cats. This week we have had
about 25," he said.
"This time of year, being cold and outside kitten season, we would probably
have about 10 cats in cages.
"We have over 60. It has gone berserk." Mr Cameron said fear of the fines
was the main reason behind locals bringing in their cats.
"There are two reasons for this. A lot of the cats are being surrendered by
their owners because of the cat curfew, and a lot are being brought in
because neighbours are trapping cats," he said. "Elderly people are probably
getting a bit frightened that if their cats get out they will get into
trouble.
"These cats would be inside (house) cats." Mr Cameron said the cats faced an
uncertain future.
"Under law we have to keep them for as long as we are required to," he said.
"If they are surrendered it is 48 hours.
"If they are brought in by the council, we have to keep them for eight days.
"Hopefully, we can find owners for them." Mr Cameron said he had heard
council rangers were calling for reinforcements to deal with the increased
work.
"The rangers are being run off their feet," he said.
"I believe there is a waiting list for cat cages and they have ordered, and
are expecting, another 12 cat traps." City of Greater Bendigo Community
Services director Barry Secombe said he would investigate the "concerning"
increase.
"We need to think about that. It is not what we desired to happen," he said.
"I did not think the waiting list would be that big." Mayor Greg Williams
said he would continue to monitor the curfew.
