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ANIMAL PROTECTION SOCIETY |
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Feral Cat or Household Pet?To spay/neuter or not to spay/neuter? There is no choice... By Chris Sly-Prochnow posted 04/25/2007
The animal shelter on San Juan Island, operated by the Animal Protection Society (APS), has decided to continue to focus our efforts for 2007 on the issue of feline population control. We have always advocated a policy of spay/neuter for any animal that was adopted from our shelter. In spite of this, we continue to receive large numbers of kittens each year. Feral cats are essentially a problem that has, for the most part, "flown under the radar" here on San Juan Island. Attempts were made periodically to assist these felines, but only in 2002, with the creation of CatsPaw, was there an organized effort put in place for a trap-neuter-return (TNR) program. During the 3 ½ years of CatsPaw’s efforts a significant dent was made in the reproduction rates of the feral cat colonies in the county and here on San Juan Island. All in all, over 300 cats were spayed or neutered by CatsPaw during that time. Regrettably, during 2005, CatsPaw disbanded. Studies have proven that trap-neuter-return (TNR) is the single most successful method of stabilizing and maintaining healthy feral cat colonies with the least possible cost to local entities and residents. It is the most compassionate means of eliminating the troubling situation of feral cats in our community and at the same time provides the best life for the animals themselves. Trapping ferals and killing them doesn’t work. The survivors just breed more litters to make up their numbers. A well known and respected organization, Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, UT believes in this approach and is using it with cities and counties across the country. With monitoring and feeding of these feral cat colonies by caretakers, we can work together to reduce the impact of the feral cat population on our beloved island wildlife and reduce the rampant breeding that occurs. Intertwined with the ongoing situation of feral cats is the link with unaltered household pets, as many feral cats are the ‘wild’ offspring of domestic cats. The spaying and neutering of all household pets would go a long way to help alleviate our island’s feline overpopulation. To that end we continue to offer low cost spay/neuter vouchers for low income island residents, and we urge all residents to act responsibly when dealing with an unwanted feline pregnancy. If you find yourself with a mother cat and a litter of kittens, please bring them to the shelter. Do not wantonly discard them thinking that they can fend for themselves. They cannot…and the fate that awaits them, no one deserves. Please help us by contacting the shelter at 378-2158. Let us know if you are feeding any strays or know of any feral cat colonies. We are hopeful that with the cooperation of island residents we can implement these programs effectively. The only way we can succeed is with the help of the community at large, and individuals like you. Twenty-five years and 7,000 animals later,
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Volunteers are encouraged to help at the shelter. APS Board President Chris Sly-Prochnow said, "It's not depressing at all." It is a no kill facility. Volunteers are needed to socialize the animals. Just coming in and sitting in the cat room or in Kamp Kitty and letting the cats get used to you counts as volunteering. Volunteering to walk some of the shelter's dogs is an easy way to get in some extra exercise for yourself. Volunteers must be 18 or else accompanied by a parent. And if you are afraid you may take home a few too many pets. APS Director Leslie Byron said, "I haven't taken anyone home." Sly-Prochnow said, "And since I've been on the board I've only succumbed to one kitten." Volunteers are also needed to help in the office, on special projects, to sponsor the spay and neuter program, etc. The shelter has a senior to senior foster program for cats. Details are in the article following this one. It gives senior citizens a chance to have a pet for companionship without worrying about the expense or future problems of the cat's care. Another program the APS is involved with is the Trap/Neuter/Return program for feral cats. The goal is to alleviate the suffering of the feral cats and reduce the impact on the island's wildlife. By agreeing to return the cats to their neighborhood after they are capturing and neutered, the program advocates believe they will have the cooperation of the people who like having the feral cats around. The shelter of course has its low cost spay and neuter program for pets belonging to lower income families. Pets adopted through the shelter are spayed and neutered as part of the adoption process. |
Employees Sheridan Melton and Ann McDermott keep an eye on Chaz and Ajax.
Chris Sly-Prochnow and Leslie Byron spend a little time with one of the office cats.
Employee Karen Mottett listens to the "talking" cat. | |
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The current capital project the APS board's is doing is Duncan's Yard. The late Susan Eyerly gave the first donation for the off-leash play area for shelter dogs (and public groups by appointment). The project will be funded by grants and private donations. Duncan was Eyerly's dog, he was familiar to islanders who frequented her bookstore. In the past few years the shelter has put in the outdoor cat room in 2003 and Kamp Kitty was created in 2005. Future projects include electrical upgrades and an automated standby power source. Grants are pending for those projects. The board and staff are concerned about the health of some of the trees around the buildings. "We need to find someone to climb, clean and improve wind flow,"Byron said. "We've been real lucky." The tree that fell this past winter missed the building.
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Bowlathon raised $8K for Animal Shelterposted 04/02/2007 Everyone did a great job, according to the Animal Shelter. Leslie Byron, the director at the shelter, would personally like to thank everyone involved in making the fundraiser such a successful event. And the Animal Shelter staff sends a special thanks to Dave and Debbie at Jimmy's Paradise Cafe and Scott at Paradise Lanes for all their help and donations towards the event. It was a great night and the Animal Shelter hopes to do it again next year. Program matches older cats with senior citizens
posted 01/29/2007
Every year the APS takes in more adult cats than we can place in available homes. Unfortunately many of our older cats are overlooked when it comes to the possibility of permanent adoption because "kittens are cuter". This creates challenges for us when housing these animals as we are a "no kill" facility. What this means is that we do not euthanize adoptable animals in order to make space for new arrivals. More often than not we are at or above, capacity, causing extreme stress for the animals as well as staff and volunteers. The truth of the matter is that there are just more cats available than there are available homes, but we believe that there are also some Island seniors who would like the company of a companion pet without the obligation of a long term adoption.
The benefits of this foster type of a relationship are many fold. First, the Island senior would have the companionship of a one-on-one relationship with a cat. Secondly, the cat would have his or her own person to bond with and love. Last, but not least, each party to the relationship would find benefits beyond description, as most of you know from having shared your lives with animal companions in the past. It is our intent for each foster to be arranged on an individual basis, pairing the personalities and needs of each Island senior with the appropriate foster cat. For those individuals who are concerned that health issues may prevent them from participating in this program, be assured that we are ready and willing to step in and fill the void should you be unable to continue caring for your foster companion. If this program appeals to you please attend a presentation at the Mullis Center luncheon on Monday, January 29, 2007, or contact your Shelter at 378-2158 and speak with Shelter Director Leslie Byron. |
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