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By Nancy Peterson
Randolph, a town of 200 people in southwestern Iowa, recently gained notoriety when its mayor announced a plan to deal with homeless cats. Mayor Vance Trively's plan offered $5 to anyone who brought cat they had captured to the Mayor's office.
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News Update: Bounty Removed |
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 March 14, 2008
The Randolph Town Council met March 13, and the $5 bounty for captured cats was removed.
More information will likely be released next week about the plan to bring in mobile spay/neuter units.
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Trively indicated that the cats would then be euthanized if not claimed as pets. The Humane Society of the United States was shocked to hear about this plan and does not condone it.
The HSUS has reached out to Trively in multiple fashions to learn more about the situation and to provide more effective and humane solutions. Although the mayor has classified the cats as feral, it is unclear if that assessment is accurate. The cats may actually be tame cats who are homeless or pet cats allowed to roam.
The HSUS is in contact with a local rescue group that is organizing the efforts to spay and neuter Randolph's cats to determine how we can best assist.
Overcoming Overpopulation
Combating cat overpopulation requires responsible pet care and keeping. The HSUS supports spaying or neutering of pets before they have even one litter. Many people don't know that cats can become pregnant as early as five months of age and that they can become pregnant again while nursing a litter.
The HSUS also advises cat owners to keep their cats indoors or safely confined to their property and to provide cats with collars and identification in case they escape their home (especially if they are permitted to roam).
In addition to responsibly caring for pet cats, it is imperative to provide responsible care for feral cats. Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), with ongoing monitoring by dedicated caretakers, is a strategy to humanely and effectively reduce the numbers of feral cats and improve their quality of life.
In its most basic form, TNR involves spaying or neutering feral cats, vaccinating them against rabies and tipping their left ear. In addition, caretakers provide food, water and shelter, monitor the cats' health and assess any newcomers for TNR (or adoption if the cats are tame). In areas of extreme cold, such as Iowa, providing warm and dry winter shelter is essential.
Tough Times
There are many reasons that cats might be brought into shelters. Some families are faced with pet behaviors they don't know how to manage, while others encounter pet restrictions when they move into rental housing. Human health issues such as pregnancy and allergies are also reasons why cats are given over to shelters by their families.
Shelters care for pet cats and try to re-home them. If there is no shelter in your town, please follow The HSUS's guidelines for finding a responsible home for your pet. Never abandon your cat and hope he can fend for himself. Abandonment is cruel and illegal.
Caring for pet cats is the responsibility of owners/guardians. Caring for homeless cats is the responsibility of the entire community—people like you, veterinarians, animal shelters, adoption groups and municipal officials. Decades of ignoring, starving and removing homeless cats has failed to provide a long-term reduction in their numbers.
Help is on the Way
So what can you and other citizens do to help?
- Spay or neuter all your pets. If you can't afford it, many places offer low-cost surgeries. Check your local shelter for resources.
- Do not let your pets outside to roam unattended (cats and dogs).
- Support your local animal shelter—whether it's through donations or volunteering.
- Tell your friends and neighbors about the importance of spaying and neutering.
- Find out more about TNR; then educate your community. You can make a difference.
Nancy Peterson is the Feral Cat Program manager for The HSUS.
