Radar wouldn't stand for it in Iowa

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Norm - 10 May 2006 11:27 GMT

Iowa City Fines People Who Feed Stray Cats

CLERMONT, Iowa (AP) -- The city isn't going to pussyfoot around when it
comes to stray cats. The City Council has decided that anyone who feeds
the cuddly creatures are aiding a nuisance.

Mayor Rodney Wagner says police could photograph people who feed stray
cats and violators could be sent letters warning them of the
consequences and be fined.

Police Chief Arthur Sullivan said people don't understand the problem.

"People find those cats sweet, cuddly and lovable," he said. "It's one
of those situations that you're not going to win no matter what you do."

Nonetheless, Sullivan said something needs to be done. The trick will be
finding a solution.

"We have people who feed the wild cats and the cats leave something
behind," he said. "One guy won't be able to use his hot tub."

My local paper had an article a year ago about people being upset with
those who feed "wild" cats and was touting doing them all in. I eMailed
the reporter saying essentially it was a false isssue, that TNR (trap,
neuter, release) was the answer, that any animal that can be approached
to be fed can be "saved". Norm
--
"In 2005, the refining margin...has exceeded $20 per barrel, far above
the long-term average of $6. That has meant record profits for oil
companies and refiners" NYT 2005/09/11

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Singh - 10 May 2006 15:03 GMT

I wouldn't either. What a bunch of hogwash. Where I live even the strays are
welcome, especially in the inner-city or congested areas with lots of
dumpsters or restaurant traffic. The rat problem here is that bad, and in
our collective opinion neither God nor man ever made a better mousetrap than
a cat. Our shelters have a big turnover in caught and adopted strays, larger
than many cities of similar size, in part because of they have the Better
Mousetrap. One would think that a bait-trap-neuter-release program might be
in the works; I understand it has worked well in other parts of the country.

Blessed be,
Baha

> Iowa City Fines People Who Feed Stray Cats
>
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
> the long-term average of $6. That has meant record profits for oil
> companies and refiners" NYT 2005/09/11

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Jo Firey - 10 May 2006 16:01 GMT

> Iowa City Fines People Who Feed Stray Cats
>
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> neuter, release) was the answer, that any animal that can be approached
> to be fed can be "saved". Norm

Such nonsense. They want to make a problem when there is a solution out
there. "Wild" cats live in the downtown area of both Yuba City and
Marysville. It is nice to see them outside sunning themselves. The cats
like the no smoking rules indoors as they now have more company outdoors.

Spay and release is alive and well.

About ten years ago we had a rabies scare that required quarantine for all
unvaccinated dogs and cats. Employees and customers and many businesses
chipped in to cover quarantine costs for their friends. And I know of a few
that settled down enough in quarantine that they ended up going home with
one of their benefactors.

Jo

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Chakolate - 10 May 2006 18:28 GMT

> My local paper had an article a year ago about people being upset with
> those who feed "wild" cats and was touting doing them all in. I
> eMailed the reporter saying essentially it was a false isssue, that
> TNR (trap, neuter, release) was the answer, that any animal that can
> be approached to be fed can be "saved". Norm

At the risk of being roundly booed, I have to say that I agree with part
of this: intact cats should not be fed, except with an eye to trapping
and neutering. If they're fed, they breed.

But the idea of fining anybody who feeds any stray cat is just
wrongheaded.

Chak

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There is something wonderful in seeing a wrong-headed majority assailed
by truth.
--John Kenneth Galbraith

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