Tomcats, alley cats, stray cats, may strut around howling at the moon, but don't call them feral.
They're community cats and a community problem.
The Batavia City Council will be asked tonight to look at a possible community cat ordinance that has reportedly worked well elsewhere to help reduce the unowned cat population and made them less of a nuisance.
The proposal is the result of research into the issue by Assistant City Manager Gretchen DiFante.
The most successful method for deal with stray cats, tail in the air and otherwise, is the trap, neuter, vaccinate and release method, according to a written report provided to the council.
"Properly managed sterilization-vaccination programs do not create cat overpopulation -- the cats are already there," according to the report, prepared by the Humane Society. "The choice is between making progress or continuing to experience an unmanaged problem. Well-designed and implemented community cat programs are in line with public opinion and can mobilize an army of compassionate, dedicated people who care about cats, wildlife and their communities."
Also on the agenda for tonight's 7 o'clock meeting:
- City fire has an opportunity to receive a $515,000 Homeland Security grant to fully fund six firefighters for two years. The funding will help fill vacancies that have increased over time as City fire has struggled with unfilled openings. The grant fully funds the positions for those two years, but the city will responsible for the expense once the grants expire.
- The council will receive an update on the city's efforts to deal with vacant and abandoned properties.
- Councilman Eugene Jankowski has requested a council discussion on the process for adopting budget resolutions.
- The water plant needs a roof replacement.
The program, as described,
The program, as described, sounds like a smart, humane, and responsible program for the City to initiate. Cats can be a benefit to an urban area in controlling rodents, but the cats themselves also need some controlling. Trap, treat, neuter, and release makes sense.
Why not allow some of the
Why not allow some of the cats to go to country homes? I know the pound does not want any of their cats to go anywhere but to a home where they live inside. They turn down perfectly good homes. I have read about these feral cat programs and understand that they are supposed to work but I doubt you need all of them returned. It would seem that there would be only so much cat feces that a community should have to tolerate from feral cats. That really should be discussed. Do you need to release all of them or can some go to homes. It would seem that some of these cats might be lost family pets and could be rehomed without impacting the program. Then people don't have to go to people who are not neutering their cats to get barn cats or pets that they want to allow out of the house. We neuter all of ours or have gone to placement agencies that do. Even cats I have intended to be strictly house cats don't want to be when they can have fun in the sun on 80 acres. They like climbing trees and catching mice.
I'd say the most important
I'd say the most important matter on the docket tonight is the proposed grant from Homeland Security. Nothing comes from the Federal Government without strings attached.
"No state or local government can accept funds from the Federal and remain independent in performing its functions, nor can the citizens exercise their rights of self-government under such conditions.
http://www.independentamericanparty.org/education-center/the-principles…
You want to kill deer in the
You want to kill deer in the park but safe the cats which are a bigger nuisance, Makes no sense.
I go with Deb, everyone just
I go with Deb, everyone just get sling shot and one time a year parallel with the deer hunt in the county park, we will have a cat hunt in the city!!! O' i forgot not everyone we will have a lottery !!!
"Why not allow some of the
"Why not allow some of the cats to go to country homes? "
Though it sounds like a good idea; however, not realistic because cats that have been stray for a long period of time become feral, and their natural, wild, instincts become sharpened, which would make it close to impossible to home them as a domesticated pet.
The best option is the Catch-Sterilize-Vaccinate-Release.
The results of tnr wont be
The results of tnr wont be felt in one day but it does make a huge differrence..males will not be as territorial and will calm down. Two litters at least per year per female cat will no longer happen. Generally ferals will be released back to their colony as a guarantee they will be taken care of. Ferals have a shorter life span. Ive personally seen 6 out of 10 of my ferals get to the point where i can pet them but not hold them because they still have that instinct. Kittens are easier to calm down and trust humans. This is a problem that was brought on by irresponsible uneducated owners and I think this a great approach to the increasing overpopulation problem. Its no cost to tax payers. Most ppl dont get their own kitties fixed because of the cost which is ridiculous for some. Hopefully this venture will help these people as well as the ones with feral colonies. As far as eradicating cats, thats not feasable as when you do there will be more to replace them. It actually escalates the problem. Species populate to keep the species strong. The more you take the more they will make. This is by far the most humane solution.
and also...why bring them to
and also...why bring them to country homes where those homes are already inundated with drop offs? this is not just a city problem or effort, this is county, state, national and globally! Let those of us who care become proactive...it is my dream one day to abolish kill shelters ....and to see our youth be proactive to to keep the numbers down so in the future there will be no need for kill shelters...
How is it " no cost to tax
How is it " no cost to tax payers " ?
Allen, except for some City
Allen, except for some City personnel time helping set up the program, there is no taxpayer money being spent. The trapping, the traps and the cost for the TNVR will come from private sources and/or donations to a volunteer group.
http://thebatavian.com/howard
http://thebatavian.com/howard-owens/city-pd-hires-new-animal-control-an…
City tax payer money is already being spent, to justify a parking enforcement officer they added animal control to his list of duties to justify this new job.
I'm not against the position, just don't act like city tax payers are not paying for animal control.
And the part about "TNVR will come from private sources and/or donations to a volunteer group". somebody is dreaming in there own little perfect world !!
we own property in that area
we own property in that area trapping
several of the feral cats and no will take them. we did get them fix and release with the help from a group in a different county!!!!!! GENESEE COUNTY OFFERS NOTHING !!!!!!! I have also paid out of pocket. The clinic listed is the one the group uses maybe genesee county can work something out
Dog & Cat Surgery And Wellness Clinic
56 Harvester Ave Ste -01-01, Batavia, NY 14020
"And the part about "TNVR
"And the part about "TNVR will come from private sources and/or donations to a volunteer group". somebody is dreaming in there own little perfect world !!"
As already stated Robert, this has been ongoing already, and has not cost taxpayers anything. This program has been conducted through private, and/or non-profit organizations and there are vets who have agreed to volunteer their part of the process.
You may continue to insert your foot further into your mouth now.
Hard to understand why some
Hard to understand why some can not understand this. It is going to be a volunteer group. And as Raymond stated, people are already doing this on their own, at no cost to the taxpayer. This effort will help the individuals doing it now coordinate their efforts and maybe get others to join them.
If it helps, great. If it does not work, we are back where we started and no harm done.
The City animal control officer has no part in this.