HomeMy Public PortalAboutOctober 2002OCTOBER 2002 COMMUNITY REQUEST FOR COOPERATION
Dear Town Residents,
To preface this letter I want you to know that all of the members of this Commission are
animal advocates.
Since April 2001, at the direction of the Town Commission, the Police Department and
Town Staff have been working, in an appropriate manner, to reduce the number of "free -
roaming feral cats". The Town Commission and many of our residents are greatly
concerned about the health hazard the existence of feral cats in the community presents,
especially to the children. We are not the only municipality facing this problem.
In an October 2, 2002 article in the Palm Beach Daily News, written by Dr. Sanford F.
Kuvin, "Feral cat colonies can pose threat for human illness" several important facts
were presented. The following are quotes from that article:
One of the more than two dozen diseases transmitted from wild feral cats to man is
rabies. Rabies was controlled in Florida when stray, free -roaming dogs were
removed during the first half of the 1900's. Now, during the past 10 years, rabies
in feral cats is more frequently reported in Florida than in dogs.
The bad news is that through cat bites, scratches, urination and defecation, rabies,
cat scratch fever, toxoplasmosis and a host of bacterial, parasitic and fungal
diseases are easily transmitted to men, women and children, causing acute, chronic
and sometimes fatal illnesses.
Wall Street Journal, October 11, 2002, "The Humane Society says that one fertile female
cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 cats in 7 years."
If you are interested in reading the entire article by Doctor Kuvin or one of the many other
articles the town has relating to feral cats, please contact the town hall.
From the very fust evidence of this health issue, the Police Department and Staff have
devoted many hours and expended thousands of dollars in an attempt to control the number
of feral cats in our neighborhoods. Unfortunately, the misguided but well intentioned
actions of some of the members of the community in feeding the free roaming feral cats
and in some cases springing the traps has led to an increase instead of decreasing the feral
cat population
Recognizing the seriousness of this unacceptable condition and the potential harm to the
community, we are asking for your assistance in the following areas:
1. Do not feed any stray cats or colony of cats that are not legally your pet(s).
Ordinance 01/2 limits the number of domestic pets.
2. Do not feed your domestic pets outdoors. By doing so, you are providing food
and attracting feral cats and other wild animals. If the cats are fed, they will not
go in the traps. All pet owners are to obey ordinances that prohibit pets from
running at large. All domestic animals must be leashed if they are off your
property.
3. If you notice or are aware of a neighbor feeding what appears to be a stray cat(s),
please contact that neighbor and inform them of your concerns about them
continuing such practice. Explain what your specific concerns are so that they
might be positively motivated to discontinue the feedings.
4. Forward any legal and worthwhile suggestions of how to control the growth of
such colonies to Town Hall.
Finally, because the Town Commission understands and appreciates how important
animals are to many our residents, they have asked staff to try to initiate a type of animal
control referred to as (TNR) "Trap, Neuter & Release". The nature of this program,
because it provides professional care for the cat, should encourage everyone to help with
its success. When a cat is trapped, it is then transported to a veterinarian who will examine
the cat and determine whether it is healthy. If the cat is healthy, it will be neutered,
allowed to recuperate and then released back to the original location.
Two nearby communities have successfully implemented this type of program. The TNR
program and the cost to implement and maintain it, cannot be accomplished without the
assistance from our residents. The Town is asking for volunteers and financial donations
in this effort. If you have a desire to participate, please call the Town Manager, Bill
Thrasher, and discuss your level and type of participation.
We feel that it is extremely vital that our residents know that the Commission recognizes
the need for action. However, we know this cannot be resolved in a short time. Others
who have implemented this TNR program advised that it takes a minimum of 3 years to
have a favorable impact, and that was with considerable assistance and cooperation from
all of the Town's residents. Please consider what you can do to assist in that resolution.
Th u f y pYa
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C/I
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