Wild cats need community attention

BY NANCY KELLY

Kings County Register

Members of the Berwick-based Safe Haven Animal Rescue are appealing for help in their efforts to control a population explosion among abandoned and feral cats in the area.

Melissa Lee, with the group for three years, acknowledges “there is a huge problem” in every county in the Valley when it comes to feral cats -those born in the wild.

“There are hundreds of them in just the Berwick area alone, and our group is doing what it can to help reduce that population.”

Safe Haven advocates a “trap, neuter, return” (TNR) approach to dealing with the wild cat population, rather than destroying colonies. Under TNR, feral cats are identified, spayed or neutered and returned to the wild.

“In most cases, these animals are already being cared for or fed by people. We try to help them with that, and provide shelters and food for them once they are returned to their outdoor habitat.”

Lee says “it has been proven time and time again that just rounding (the cats) up and destroying them doesn’t work or make any dent in the population long term. They just keep coming back.”

By definition, feral cats are born in the wild and cannot be domesticated because of their inbred fear of humans.

“So this type of cat can’t be adopted out, either,” adds Lee.

What has proven effective is neutering as many members of a feral cat colony as possible.

“But conducting an extensive TNR program is expensive and the fundraising by members of our group can’t keep up,” given the scale of the problem, says Lee.

Safe Haven has been critical of Kings County’s animal control policy, which only destroys feral and stray cats. In Annapolis County, a private group similar to Safe Haven is provided funding through the county to conduct a TNR program.

“In Kings there is one animal control officer that is responsible for not just cats but all animal issues. It is a lot of strain for that one position.”

Lee says Safe Haven would partnering with Kings County through a TNR project to help control the cat population.

“It’s a job that needs more hands to get done, but we need funding to do our part.”

Lee also takes issue with the Kings SPCA, which she says doesn’t consider dealing with strays part of its mandate.

“They focus on abused animals only, but if abandoning a cat isn’t abusing it, what would you call it?”

Lee would like to see more effective animal control become an issue in the upcoming municipal election.

“Kings County needs to step up to the plate. We are doing their job and, meanwhile, the (feral cat) population is getting bigger.”

September 27, the group will be holding a pet food fundraiser at the Berwick location of Shur Gain Feeds and Needs, Front Street, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

“We are looking for donations of supplies that are always in need for animal rescue,” and it will all be donated to the TLC animal shelter in Digby. Reptile supplies will also be collected for the Safe Haven Society for Reptiles and Amphibians in Lower Sackville. Any cat supplies will be kept for local rescue efforts, as will any money collected through a spare change drive, barbecue and ticket sales on a cat-themed quilt.

A guide to giving

Donations of the following items, either new or used will be greatly appreciated

• food (hard and soft, canned and dry suitable for young, adult or senior cats and dogs)

• litter - clumping and non-clumping

• treats

• scratching posts and toys

• pet beds

• canned fish (sardines, salmon, mackerel)

• Advantage or Revolution flea treatment, Milbemaxx or Strongid

• live traps (raccoon size)

• dog collars and leashes

• dog shampoo, ear cleaner, towels, paper towel

• pet carriers

• reptile supplies, including supplements, heating pads, lamps, lights, hide boxes, substrate, aquariums, reptiles enclosures.