To the Editor:
I don’t want feral cats anywhere near me or my family. They are a blight on our community and a pollution to our environment. The law against feeding these varmints is based on more than somebody’s hatred of feral cats. They are responsible for the decimation of migrating song birds in North America; pose a serious health risk; and intrude into people’s property, parks, and playgrounds.
The city has been trying to work with feral cat advocates and is considering an ordinance, which provides a pilot program to catch, spay/neuter, and release these cats back out into our streets. Whoever runs the pilot program would have to demonstrate experience, responsibility, post a bond, and get the approval of every property owner within 200 feet. Then, they can get grant money from some pet food company if the city passes an ordinance circumventing the state laws and regulations as they pertain to animals. Just say no to feral cats. Catch, yes. Neuter/spay, yes. No release! No feeding! No, no, no! Roadside funerals for cats, no! No one should be calling anybody from the street to get permission to remove a dead animal.
No taxpayer should have to foot the bill for vet care for these animals. People must come first. Show compassion for your neighbors. Find homes for the few cats that you can rescue, and send the rest of the population of cats to shelters. Don’t make your pets or hobby my problem. Keep them home! Do not ask for government money. The last City Council meeting looked like an extortion attempt. Just go tend to your hobby without trying to force other people to practice your devotion to these nuisance critters.
Regular people should ask City Hall to broadcast continuously the meetings about feral cats. Request that they delay any decision until the fall, when everybody returns from vacation. Watch the council meeting in July and the feral cat hearing, and you will be very well informed on just how outrageous these animal rights people are becoming. These extremists are creating a general misery in our town. There is an old saying that “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.” This plan isn’t fair to the general public.
These feral cat colonies are a disgusting example of irresponsible pet owners who abandon innocent animals, thinking they will have some type of life out on the streets. It is my contention that there is a special place in hell for people who torture, harm, or abandon pets. Another old saying is “the squeaky wheel gets the most grease.” I suggest that everybody google “N.J. Audubon feral cats,” “American Bird Conservancy,” and “The Wildlife Society” and learn more about this problem before any new law is finalized. Please don’t rely on other people to speak out on this issue.
LARRY BUCK