It took three days, but a couple of weeks ago a group of volunteers, coordinated by the city, trapped 42 cats in the McKinley Street area and had them spayed or neutered, vaccinated and ear-tipped before releasing them back to the same location.
It was a big success, said Assistant City Manager Gretchen DiFante, for the city's fledgling effort to get a program up and running to deal with Batavia's community cat (commonly called feral cat) problem.
The City Council-approved effort was a bit bogged down because the city had been unable to find a volunteer to lead the all-volunteer committee to operate the program.
Recently, Ann Marie Brade, the county's animal control officer, volunteered to lead the group and has secured the permission of her employer, the Sheriff's Office, to take on the task.
There will be a meeting tomorrow of committee volunteers to organize the next steps.
The McKinley Street undertaking began with a phone call to city's animal control officer, James Sheflin, about a large colony of cats in the area.
That began a five-week effort to organize and coordinate the task.
"One of the keys to success for this was that this colony manager, which is what the industry calls them, if you will, really took responsibility for the cats," DiFante said. "That makes it a lot easier. Unfortunately, we don't have that kind of ease in attacking some of these colonies."
The animals were all treated at State Street Animal Hospital.
Because he also authorized income verification, the city was able to use available grant funds to pay for the veterinary care.
"We were able to use that grant and we'd love to use that grant more, but that's not usually how it works," DiFante said.
"?.. Ann Marie Brade, the
"?.. Ann Marie Brade, the county's animal control officer, volunteered to lead the group and has secured the permission of her employer, the Sheriff's Office, to take on the task."
If Ms. Brade had to ask the sheriff (her employer) for "permission", one might think that she will be getting PAID for this "volunteering". Extra pay, or, overtime pay, perhaps? Any chance of finding out about that, Howard? Or any Concerned Citizen?
Maybe someone could put in a "Public Records Request" to find out if they are paying EXTRA for something that is supposed to be a volunteer position. I honestly find it hard to believe that the sheriff has to approve of an employee "volunteering" for anything. That is, unless he has to approve of more compensation.
Not sure how to go about making a "Public Records Request"? It's easier than filing a FOIA request. There are a multitude of videos on YouTube, showing exactly how it's done. Depending on how "up to speed" the Sheriff’s Office is (as far as electronics media goes), you probably can do it online. -- Just a hint: Pretty much EVERYTHING your "public employees" ( do, in the line of their public duty, is open to the "public" (that would be you, the taxpayers) scrutiny.
Who are your "public employees? That would be ANYONE that is employed by the "gov't" - ie. Law enforcement, city administration, county highway employees, airport employees, DMV workers, "state" employees, "federal" employees... the list is almost endless. If you don't keep an eye on what they do, and, WHAT YOU END UP PAYING THEM FOR DOING, you only have yourself to blame for mis-used time, monies or actions. You are, after all, their employer. You have a right, and, a duty, to know where your money is being spent for.
Ed, let us know what you find
Ed, let us know what you find out..
IMO I think all these
IMO I think all these volunteers deserve a big thank you. Thank you. their efforts will help all of Batavia and the animals themselves.
as far as the issue of ms. brade being a volunteer and whether or not she got paid, her title is "animal control officer", I hope she got paid it's her job.
Sure thing, John.
Sure thing, John.
If I were an animal control
If I were an animal control officer and wanted to volunteer in an overlapping jurisdiction doing an overlapping job, I'd be damn sure to check with my employer to ensure there is no conflict of interest or other potential problems. I wouldn't just do it.
How's that saying go "Damned
How's that saying go "Damned if you do & damned if you don't"
Thank you to all that volunteered in this effort! Howard did they give any info on who to contact to volunteer in the future?
You can call the city.
You can call the city.
Why spend time and money to
Why spend time and money to trap "wild" animals and then release them in the city??? Why weren't these animals released in the country [in the wild] where "wild animals" belong... well away from the city?!
Brian. Because they are being
Brian. Because they are being called "Batavia's community cats"!
Therefore, some people, apparently, believe they belong in the Batavia community.
Like you, I don't get it!