NEWS BLOG

Letter to Port Colborne City Council re: $5,000 grant to trap, neuter and irresponsibly abandon 50 'feral' cats on the lakeshore.

Dear Mayor Badawey and council members,

Re: Port may spend $5,000 to trap, neuter and release feral cats (Tribune Wed. Feb. 4, 2009)

With disbelief, I read that Port council is considering a $5,000 grant to round up feral cats along the lakeshore. Mayor Vance Badawey appears to have sense when he acknowledges this as only a draft approval. Councillor Barb Butters on the other hand, was quoted as saying “Sometimes the stars align in the right place at the right time.” Let’s hope Mayor Badawey puts his ability to good use and attempts to realign the stars in Councillor Butters’ head.

Council also discussed their need to trim the budget stating, “There is "still a lot of work to do.” Reporter Mark Tayti summed up by saying it will take sharper pencils than were being wielded. He’s correct. Council can trim $5,000 off the top by not approving a poorly thought out plan to spend taxpayers’ money - on just 20 feral cats for whom this plan is no more than pie in the sky.

Council has an obligation to protect indigenous wildlife – not cats. Wild animals are a heritage - a natural resource entrusted to all of us. This earth is their home. Lake Erie is part of a major flyway for thousands of migratory wild birds, a stopover point on their arduous northward journey. Those species have a right to be there and we must preserve and protect them, not a select group of 20 cats.

Feral cats are not native wild animals. They are domesticated animals that live in despicable conditions having been dumped at some point by irresponsible pet owners. Within 2-3 yrs, they become distrustful of humans – but that reaction does not magically transform them into wild animals. It is possible to regain the trust of some of those cats and every effort to do that should be the first step. These are cats who have forgotten how to interact with human beings.

Spaying/neutering/vaccinating, releasing, and continuing to feed feral cat colonies is wasting taxpayers’ money. I firmly believe that it is far more merciful to trap those cats and humanely end their suffering if there are no other options. It is no different than a dog that for various reasons continues to display aggression, can’t be trusted as a family companion animal, and can’t be in the company of people. Is anyone proposing to spay/neuter and release those dogs into feral colonies? The city has a contract for animal control with the Welland and District Humane Society and one would assume that rounding up lost, stray, or homeless cats is part of that mandate.

It’s mind boggling that any humane society would advocate housing and feeding cats outdoors as being acceptable. The damage that domestic cats do to wildlife is well documented. If they aren’t aware of that fact, they should be. The suffering these cats continue to endure living in such colonies, is another important factor that has not been addressed. Why would Port Colborne want to promote that?

As a provincially and federally licensed wildlife rehabilitator, the sheer number of indigenous wild animals I admit to our rehabilitation facility that have been maimed beyond hope, by cats - feral or otherwise - is shocking. It’s a never-ending revolving door. Although cat caught birds compromise the largest numbers, a bored, well fed pet cat won’t hesitate to maim, toss, and chew up a small mammal – just for fun.

Cats also carry Pasteurella multocida bacteria in their saliva, and if antibiotics aren’t administered within 24 hrs of a bite, or contact with that saliva and ingestion of the bacteria, it proves fatal to the bird or mammal. In the grand scheme of things, it may not appear to be such a tragic loss when more common bird species are cat injured or killed (although that is not an acceptable part of nature in any way) but when I see less common birds in this area maimed by cats owned by irresponsible people it is disheartening.

A baseless excuse at best is the argument that a domestic cat will only predate on the weakest of any given species as if that somehow makes it ok for them to kill wildlife. It is true that the weakest of any species is subject to predation and that this is the way of nature and wild animals are part of the food chain. It is not true however, that cats are wild animals so they are not part of that chain. Their presence outdoors is un-natural. Those who claim that cats help by eating and killing only pest species such as mice need to remind themselves that the mouse would likely have been another wild animals dinner and now it’s been deprived of that meal by a domestic cat.

If Vogel and her group want to help these cats, then by all means, trap them and take them home to assess them and care for them. It is a false claim that they can never be indoor cats again. With time and attention, some of them will come around and settle in and others will be content to keep distant and remain shy, from their new owner, but still live a far better life indoors. Those too traumatized to forget the horrors inflicted on them certainly don’t deserve to live appalling lives, being dumped back outside by any group of people using taxpayers dollars.

People who promote TNR (trap/neuter/release) believe that it’s humane to put these cats back outside. Facts belie that. These cats have greatly shortened life spans, are subject to death by vehicle impact, territorial fights, disease, parasites and more. Any vaccinations given do not last a lifetime, e.g. there is no lifetime rabies vaccine. Booster shots must be continued or these cats will once again be subjected to diseases that they will pass on to wildlife or other cats they come in contact with (feline panleukopenia for example.) They will be infested with fleas, ticks and tapeworms within months of being released, and will be carrying a veritable banquet of internal parasites continuing to re-infect themselves and others.

They are forced to endure the ravages of the seasons, suffering through our highest heat spells all the way down to our harshest winter periods. Is the colony caregiver going to be there when the winds are blowing and the temperatures are sub zero and roads are impassable? How long will a bucket of water stay unfrozen on such days or dishes of food remain mould, maggot, and fly free in hot summer months?

The idea of putting out food for them is fundamentally wrong. It is an open invitation to other species to come into the area that would normally not be there and creates an imbalance in nature. Free food is free food in the wild animal kingdom, those wild prey species don’t care if food was put there for the cats. Food attracts rodents, which in turn attract more wildlife.

There’s one more thing these feral cat colonies will do – encourage the irresponsible dumping of more unwanted cats and kittens in that same area once word gets out. For transparency to the citizens (taxpayers funds), the location needs to be disclosed, not kept secret. What provisions and oversights are in place to ensure these animals are treated well? Who oversees that?

Numerous folks know all too well that if they feel sorry for a stray cat and feed it, then contact the humane society for help, they are told that you are considered the legal owner of the cat if you are feeding and provide care for it. Justifiably so, the humane society cannot help if the cat has a caretaker/owner. Does the city of Port Colborne intend to become legal owners of these cats? They will be if they provide this money to this group. This is not funding for a picnic, a parade, or a festival.

The group spouts statistics and states that what has happened in San Francisco will work the same in Port Colborne. Wake up! San Francisco - population: 799,183 (2007); Port Colborne – population: 18,450. San Francisco – 16 million tourists in 2007, economy - major financial, biomedical, biotechnology centre with highly skilled workforce and a median family income of $67,809 (2005). It is absurd and irresponsible to make that comparison. It also fails to take into account that much more than just a TNR program was initiated in San Francisco and is paid for in full by the city. Port is a unique and vibrant community - but it’s not San Francisco.

Stray cats in distress should be captured by the agency currently being paid to do so. Port Colborne already pays the Welland & District SPCA for animal control – why is it necessary to pay a second group for the same job? If this new group wants to assist, then work with the SPCA and after the claiming period passes take the cats home to foster them for individual assessment and evaluation. Rehabilitate them. Those that cannot be integrated back to living as indoor cats in a safe home setting should then be humanely euthanized. Give them that gift of freedom from the wretched life you are attempting to force them to endure. It is a far more merciful thing to do than what is being proposed.

Numbers (not verified) such as 5,000 cats euthanized in Niagara in 2007 have been tossed out. Where are these figures published and how were they verified? If these figures are verifiable, then the problem needs to be addressed in ways that are more effective. More time and money needs to be spent to educate people about pet ownership, to make identification on cats mandatory and capturing strays routine, so that they can be traced to their owners just like dogs.

If the city has an excess in their budget of $5,000 to give away, there are far better causes than this for them to spend that money on. What value is the city assessing for each native wild animal these cats will kill and maim? That weakened bird or eastern cottontail rabbit was destined to be dinner for another prey wild animal further up the food chain in nature but now it will have lost its dinner thanks to a domestic cat. That resting bird taking a pause from a long migration may not be able to avoid predation by these cats. Who will pick up those bodies and bring them in for care? The lakeshore they stopped at belongs to them, not the cats.

Before council arrives at a final decision on this funding, each member of council owes it to himself or herself to read the facts on why these colonies do not work. For the truth about feral cat colonies, visit the “TNR Reality Check” website at

http://www.tnrrealitycheck.com/welcome.asp

Mary-Catharine Kuruziak, Manager,

Niagara Wildlife Haven AWC, CWS

Welland, Ontario

www.niagarawildlifehaven.org

We've recently been plagued with flooding in our basement, from three separate sources; needless to say this has caused a lot of damage. Primarily we've lost a great deal of animal food we had stored (dry cat food, duck grow, wild bird game starter, budgie, cockatiel, dove and finch seeds, and rodent blocks, in bulk bags), and most of our animal and personal bedding, such as towels, blankets, sheets, pillowcases, and the biggest staple of all - laundry soap. We now know the precise meaning of the expression, when it rains, it pours. Only these issues had nothing to do with rain. An ice dam on the roof and a ruptured hot water tank were two of the main culprits.

Those of you interested in learning more about becoming wildlife rehabilitators or volunteering here and working on-site or off-site as registered foster care providers, will be interested in the courses being offered by OWREN. Click here for more information on those: http://www.owren-online.org and click on the courses link from there.

In addition to our work with native wildlife, we are expanding our services to provide a sanctuary for those who have and can no longer keep their birds, or certain other exotic pets. If you want those animals to be given a lifetime home, where they will be well cared for by skilled and trained individuals, then give us a call. Note however, if you are looking to 'sell' your pet or are looking to 'buy' one from us, we're not interested. We don't buy them nor do we sell those we have. A sanctuary is just that. It is a lifetime, permanent home.

If you have birds; finches, canaries, budgies, cockatiels, doves, parrots, lovebirds, other exotic birds, large or small (but not waterbirds such as swans, etc.) and can no longer keep them, or just find you don't have the time for them that they require, please contact us, we'll gladly take them in and provid for them. We can also take in certain other exotic small animals like lizards, snakes, (no rabbits, if you have a rabbit you need to rehome, contact the nearest rabbit rescue). What we can take in depends on the caging we have available for that particular species.

We are in need of large bird cages with bars spaced closely together, and larger cages for parrots and bigger birds so if you have one of those sitting around, and are not using it, consider donating it to Niagara Wildlife Haven. If anyone has a terrarium or reptarium they are no longer using, those would be most welcome.

Donations of cages, food and supplies are a truly wondrous thing for us - it feels just like Christmas. However, those things can't be used to pay for other urgent needs we have, such as specialty foods, specialty milk formula's for various species and veterinary bills and medications for the sick and injured. Those require cash to be paid for them. The costs for those services and supplies are enormous. Please consider making a monthly donation or sending a one time cheque for support.

Our economy may not be very stable but that does not bode well for wildlife in need or for other animals who will bear the brunt of these uncertain times. Please help us to ensure we can continue to be here providing this care for wildlife in need.

Our charitable status application is still on pending and once that is granted, we will be able to issue tax deductible receipts for all donations.

Another winter season is rolling in. We have a few 'not yet ready for prime time' wild animals that will be overwintering here and released in spring when the conditions are much better for them and they are much fatter and older. Those animals born very late in the year won't survive their first winter on their own without a parent to assist them so they are overwintered and allowed to bulk up.

That means a steady supply of high quality food is needed for them and huge electric bills in keeping heated water buckets plugged in. Being that it is the end of the season, our bank balance is non existant and we use this time to try to raise the necessary funds for wildlife care in the upcoming spring baby boom season. It's just a few months away and we don't have much time to replenish the coffers. If you can help us with donations of $$$ and supplies it would be deeply appreciated.

We have two fundraisers in the month of December (and very end of November this year also).

We are holding our famous Pet Pics with Santa Paws at Pet Food Outlet on 824 Ontario Road, in Welland on Sat. Nov. 29 and again on Sat. Dec. 6 from 10 am to 5 pm. Click on the Events page tab on the left menu and get the details there and download your poster. Help us promote this event and bring your pets and pet friends to it! The proceeds go to a good cause so please help us to help the native wildlife for another year.

Held on Saturday December 20 from 5 - 9 pm at 461 Wright Street in Welland. This meaningful service is a chance to honour those pets and friends of animals that are no longer with us. Purchasing a symbolic memorial light on the Animals Tree allows their names to be remembered and those memories cherished. Lights are $10 each and brochures can be picked up at Pet Food Outlet on 824 Ontario Road, or at 461 Wright Street in Welland or downloaded here on our website. Just click the Events page tab on the left menu and download your brochure. Please pass these on to friends and family members that mayh be interested in this service. They don't need to be present the night of the service, all names will be read during the dedication.

Remember the wildlife this winter and please adjust your driving accordingly especially in inclement weather. Wild animals are losing their habitats at an alarming rate and are struggling to find food and shelter. It is confusing to them to be travelling in what used to be wild spaces and to suddenly encounter bulldozers and pavement and heavy traffic, so please "Give wildlife a brake!"

We will be offering special training for those interested in working here as volunteers this season and those who wish to work from their own homes under a legal fostering agreement with us. Before you start looking after wildlife on your own or using the "internet" to find recipes to feed the animals, it's essential you get some type of training in the proper way to do this. We'll be offering specialized classes in species that you want to work with and help out with and those we most commonly work with here. Contact us for more information. We expect to start the classes the second week of January and will probably offer them on a weeknight or on a weekday evening.

Seriously our main desktop computer (an older P3) gave up the ghost (fried the video card). It's not in our budget to replace that so if anyone has a spare they would like to donate, we'd be happy to take it off your hands and put it to good use. It would be great if it was at least a P4 and had a large hard drive with good graphics capabilities because we do put them through torture here with what we use them for.

We are in need of special UV lighting for our overwintering birds and mammals. These would be the type of spot light bulbs used for reptiles, that replicate sunlight, and those also that are black lights giving off heat at night but not bright light. We switch them off with timers and can also use a few extra timers (both indoor and outdoor types). It is important to replicate what that animal would be getting were it in the wild and we try to do that. Just another way to drive up the electric bill but it is a necessary thing for us to provide.

Our receiving/intake/isolation area is now almost ready but needs to be insulated with that rigid blue foam core insulation because it is located outside. Batts of insulation for the roof (paper back) are also needed. If anyone has any to spare or donate, we'd be happy to receive it, with thanks! Doing this will help reduce the heat in that area in the summer also and help us put that room to good use in winter with incoming animals.

Will be held in Niagara Falls, Ontario during the week of Feb. 9 - 14, 2009 at the Best Western Cairn Croft Hotel on Lundy's Lane. Registration is open to anyone interested in pursuing this profession or just interested in wildlife rehabilitation and obtaining their own authorization. Details can be obtained on OWREN's website at www.owren-online.org. The nezt OWREN conference won't be held this close to Niagara so take advantage of this unique opportunity now.

If you can help us with these needs by donating these supplies and food items to us, we'd be deeply indebted to you!!

Every year we face this same problem. We are full and out of funding to provide care for any more wild animals, especially raccoons. We're not out of time or willingness to rehabilitate the sick, orphaned or injured, what we're out of is cash to pay for the high cost of their care. At least a hundred hours a week is devoted to care and feeding for the over 500 wild animals that come through here each year. For free. We're not paid, and we're not funded by any level of government. It's only your compassionate donations that allow us to do the small bit we do. We could do much more but we just can't fund that from our own pocket. We didn't win a lottery. The animals don't have health insurance so we can't send a bill to the various levels of government and get reimbursed. That money has to come from somewhere.

That has to change soon or we simply won't be able to keep these doors open. Development is gradually reducing the living spaces of our native wildlife and we have a responsibility to do something to offset that damage we do to them.

Donate your time and help us by offering your skills and talents in cage building, den box building and most especially in fundraising. Without you, we cannot do this.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for those of you who were able to give a little bit when you dropped off an injured wild animal. We deeply appreciate your kindness. You should feel good to know that it has made an enormous difference to a few wild lives who would not have made it without you. You are very special people!

Looking for a few compassionate and hard working individuals who would like to organize a few fundraisers to help us help wildlife.

Are you good at putting on yard or garage sales or would you like to help us plan a 'wild' walkathon ?

Events, big or small, and ideas are most welcome but remember, we need people to help us put those ideas into action.