|
|
Post by SyZyGy on Apr 13, 2005 13:53:00 GMT -5
morganika, dahlink,
i know i have been rather hard on you when you were hard on the feral cats which apparently infested your neighborhood.
but you are a new person now: temperate and considerate, and we all love you for it.
your advice is welcomed and sound!
your,
sigh (oops, i mean Sy)
|
|
|
|
Post by 2much2do on Apr 13, 2005 18:02:59 GMT -5
What a great concept, open season on cats.
1) What do you do with them after you destroy them?
2) How big of a problem is this state wide (CT)?
3) What is the fine today(if any) if caught destroying a cat?
4) Can we have open season on Geese too?
|
|
|
|
Post by SyZyGy on Apr 14, 2005 6:40:11 GMT -5
2m2d, i hope that your questions are an attempt a humor. if not, please do your own research and let us know. the rest of us have better things to do with our lives. you obviously don't have too much to do. |
|
|
|
Post by ThePatriot on Apr 14, 2005 7:34:38 GMT -5
If you take out the cats, this if going to cause a problem with the food chain.
Lighten up Sy. ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by SyZyGy on Apr 14, 2005 7:48:31 GMT -5
I lighten up on weekends (don't you?) ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by morganika on Apr 14, 2005 8:08:11 GMT -5
Actually it is becoming a big problem in Wethersfield. I have had a conversation with the animal control officer, who by the way, I can't remember his name but was so pleasant and helpful. He told me there was a colony of cats living behing the motor vehicle department on State St., by the old railroad station on Church Street, behind the old Stop and Shop on Wells Road and another on Spring Street. That is 4 colonies in addition to the ones living near my home. And yesiree folks, there was a new litter born this spring near my house. If you people don't think this is a problem then I don't know what is. That's a lot of cats mister!
|
|
|
|
Post by SyZyGy on Apr 14, 2005 14:45:02 GMT -5
As silly and misguided as it is for the State of Wisconsin to be considering an open hunting season on domestic cats, the fact they are doing so has, at least, called attention to the problem of feral cats in our area. But killing the cat at the bird feeder will do nothing to solve the problem of domestic kitties-gone-wild.
Feral cats are a people problem -- caused by irresponsible pet owners who let their cats outdoors . . . and who fail to have them spayed or neutered. Some of these domestic felines invariably give birth to kittens under porches, in sheds and other places where they are raised with little or no human contact. So the offspring grow up wild.
The knee-jerk reaction of killing wild cats also fails to address the very real fact that fatal approaches to controlling animal populations are not the least bit effective, in general. A dramatic example of this was brought to my attention last fall, when I helped coordinate the first-ever, large-scale feral cat management project in Minnesota. On one property we trapped about 85 wild felines in just a few days. More than 90% of those kitties were under 1 year of age -- and that was a colony that had existed on the site for more than 20 years.
This example tells us something really important: Only a small number of domestic cats-gone-wild survive the Minnesota winters. Winter is the "limiting factor" on feral cat populations here. No matter how many felines are trapped and killed the number that survive the winter to breed in the spring is unchanged. The available shelter and food supply through the winter will only accommodate so many felines. A person could quite literally trap and kill cats all year round, investing considerable time and effort, and have no net effect on the population. Killing a cat only opens up a space for another one to take its place.
Add to this the fact that domestic cats have an incredible ability to reproduce themselves. Starting with one female cat and her first litter, they can produce more than 400,000 kittens in just 7 years. They can produce 3 - 4 litters per year. The babies themselves are able to start breeding at just 6 months of age.
What we have going on here in Minnesota and our neighboring states is a huge population explosion of feral cats that starts each spring and continues into the fall. In winter time, this is followed by a huge die-off from the winter-kill.
With the warmer and shorter winters we have been seeing in Minnesota, the problem of feral felines is getting worse. And the toll on wild animal populations is incomprehensible. Some estimate there are millions of feral felines in the Twin Cites Metro area alone. Because they shy away from people, few humans see them. But they consume a lot of wildlife.
To solve this problem, all we really need to do is to keep our cats indoors, and to implement sterilization programs, like the Feline Feral Friends program Animal Ark launched last fall. . . to ensure that kitties that do survive the winter are not capable of breeding.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dr.Ken Sokolowski on Apr 14, 2005 15:33:42 GMT -5
morganika,
Hi! I have reviewed this thread and it seems that at times it has really been rather "lively" shall I say. I don't know if you were aware of the recent history of this situation before the Town Council (2002-03) or if you were part of that activity. Apparently there are others in town who are concerned (one way or another) about not only this problem but also the solutions. I gathered this information from the Town's website - Council minutes archives and provide the following for your consideration. You might want to revive the issue which is in limbo (see below):
Nov. 2002
ORDINANCE TO CONTROL FERAL CATS
Section 1: Policy Declaration
The Town Council finds that feral cats and cats that damage property of others or cause unsanitary conditions are a nuisance and that it is appropriate and necessary, pursuant to the authority of section 22-339d(a) of the General Statutes to enact an ordinance, to seek to control the population of feral cats and to seek to eliminate the incidence of cats causing damage to property of others or causing unsanitary conditions.
Section 2: Definitions
"Feral cat" means a free-roaming domestic cat, which is not owned.
"Keeper" means any person or organization that harbors or regularly feeds or has in his or its possession any feral cat.
Section 3: Regulations
The keepers of feral cats in residential or commercial areas shall register, within one year of adoption of this ordinance, with the Animal Control Officer at 250 Silas Deane Highway who shall thereupon provide information regarding the proper care and management of feral cats.
The keepers of feral cats shall provide for the vaccination of such cats against rabies and for the sterilization of such cats.
The refusal to permit the Animal Control Officer to impound a feral cat shall be deemed evidence of keeping.
Section 4: Prohibited Acts
No person owning or keeping any cat shall permit such animal to: (1) substantially damage property other than the property of the owner or keeper or (2) cause an unsanitary, dangerous or unreasonably offensive condition. Violation of this provision shall be an infraction.
Any cat found to be damaging property other than the property of its owner or keeper or causing an unsanitary, dangerous or unreasonably offensive condition may be taken into custody by the Animal Control Officer and processed or disposed of pursuant to the provisions of section 22a-332d(a) of the General Statutes. The redemption fee for the owner or keeper of any such cat shall be $15.00 and the cost of any advertising incurred after impoundment. When the owner or keeper of any such impounded cat fails to redeem such cat within 24 hours after receiving notification to do so, such owner or keeper shall also pay the amount determined by the Town to be the full cost of detention and care of such impounded cat.
Failure of any owner or keeper of any impounded cat fails to redeem such cat within 120 hours after receiving notification to do so shall be an infraction.
PURPOSE: to seek to control the population of feral cats and to seek to eliminate the incidence of cats causing damage to property of others or causing unsanitary conditions.
PREPARED BY: Duncan Forsyth, Town Attorney
INTRODUCED BY: Councilor Russell Morin
DATE: November 13, 2002
---
Among those who spoke on (pro/con) the ordinace the next month were:
George Hooker,
Carla Aloi,
Carol Ann Sparvari (moved)
Kelly Weinberg,
Dr. Colandrea (male),
Patti Silva,
Councilor Morin moved "TO REFER THE ORDINANCE TO CONTROL FERAL CATS TO PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL CONNECTICUT HEALTH DISTRICT", seconded by Councilor Fitzpatrick.
All Councilors present, including the Chairperson, voted AYE. The motion passed 8-0-0.
---
Feb, 03:
Councilor Cascio reported that on January 17 the Public Safety Committee met to discuss the issue. The animal control officer and health department coordinator were both in attendance. After lengthy discussion is was decided that this ordinance would be very difficult to enforce. There are concerns that the animal control and health department coordinator had regarding staff training and additional personnel. It is the committee's recommendation that this ordinance not move forward at this time.
Among those who spoke on (pro/con) this topic were:
Dr.Kenneth Sokolowski
Patti Silva
|
|
|
|
Post by morganika on Apr 15, 2005 8:02:05 GMT -5
Thanks for the info Foot Dr! I was not aware of those goings on. I guess the council felt they had "other" things that were more important............ How can I revive the issue?
|
|
|
|
Post by Dr.Ken Sokolowski on Apr 15, 2005 11:21:18 GMT -5
Several approaches are possible. In no particular order:
Go to the Town's website (Government section) and in the left column look for a reference/link to "Search Archived Minutes". Once there, use the search box/function and type in the phrase "feral cat" (singular). That in turn will give you the minutes in the archive where that phrase appears. Read the public hearing / comments sections in each of the minutes. This will tell you who was/is in favor of such an ordinance and who was/is not.
Contact those kindred spirits and plan / organize.
Consider starting a chapter of "Alley Cats Allies" in Town and draw upon their national resources, experiences, and skills, etc. Then, start some public educational events; maybe even start some fundraising to facilitate those efforts. Make your group visible to the community and try to make the goals of your group reasonable and important to the majority in town.
Talk to Rick Garrey, co-host of WCTV-14's "Wethersfield LIVE" and see if your newly formed group could be invited to present your case to the public via his show.
Talk to the Town Manager, Bonnie Therrien.
Talk to the Director of the Central Connecticut Health District based in our Town Hall, Paul Hutcheon.
Talk to individual members of Town Council, especially Russell Morin and Matthew Forrest to see if this could be revived.
Talk with John Cascio who at least at that time (late 2002 - early 2003 ?) was involved with the public health and safety subcommittee where the proposal is technically still languishing; talk to him and members of the current committee.
Address the Town Council often enough to make it clear to the Council that this is something which the Town needs. Ask that the proposal be taken off the table (where it has been forgotten) and re-opened for discussion and possible passage.
Good luck!
|
|
|
|
Post by morganika on Jul 1, 2005 8:34:59 GMT -5
Well, I thought I'd update you on the feral cats. Three new kittens born within the last two weeks. Two letters written to the council with no responses. My yard needs poo pickup on a daily basis and smells bad. I guess the council only pays attention to people who want plastic grass and lights.
|
|
|
|
Post by SyZyGy on Jul 1, 2005 9:11:17 GMT -5
morganika,
Obviously the Town Council needs some incentive to act.
Maybe you could collect the cats' droppings and present them to Council at its next meeting on July 18 (in a sealed, sanitary, transparent container) so that they can literally see some of what you are talking about. Maybe you could even invite Danny O'Connor's friend (Hartford Courant reporter) Fillo to that meeting - for such a photo op. ;D
Just some thoughts
Sy
|
|
hodiddly
Gold Member
its getting cold down here!
Posts: 79
|
Post by hodiddly on Jul 1, 2005 11:47:53 GMT -5
Morganika, As an animal lover (admittedly, dogs over cats, but all animals in general) my suggestion is you re-approach the animal control officer & Dept. of Public Health. I don't see how the Town Council would be the way to go. The squeaky wheel usually gets the grease and I am pretty sure you know how to squeak!
|
|
|
|
Post by morganika on Jul 1, 2005 13:25:16 GMT -5
Well I love animals too, and I HAVE animals. This is a large amount of animals that think mulch looks like kitty litter.
I started out with the Health Dept. and Animal Control and they told me they were powerless because Wethersfield had no ordinance. They directed me to the Town Council. I feel like I'm getting a run around.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bulldog on Jul 2, 2005 22:53:09 GMT -5
morganika; This would be a great platform issue for the republicans this election year. They missed the boat on the field, so maybe this is the big issue they need.
|
|
