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Humane traps and transportation needed for feral cats in Le Roy

By Billie Owens

UPDATE 1:57 p.m., Feb. 21: Spay Our Strays -- S.O.S. -- the organization which is undertaking this effort, contacted The Batavian to say it has enough humane traps and transportation volunteers for next week's journey. S.O.S. is most thankful for the help!

Press release:

There is a very large feral colony in Le Roy that Volunteers for Animals S.O.S. -- Spay Our Strays -- is trapping and taking to Habitat for Cats in Henrietta for spay and neuter on Wednesday, Feb. 29. Appointments have been made for 30 cats and help is needed with trapping and transporting.

At least 40 humane traps will need to be set to catch 30 cats. If you have a trap you can lend, please contact S.O.S.  ASAP.

Trapping: Monday Feb. 27 or Tuesday Feb. 28 in Le Roy

Transporting: Wednesday Feb. 29 from Le Roy to Henrietta and then back to Le Roy.

If you are able to help by lending a trap or with transportation, contact Kathy Schwenk at 716-472-8968 or email kschwenk@rochester.rr.com

Please DO NOT call the Genesee County Animal Shelter with questions or for help.

Christina Marinaccio

When it says “Transportation from Le Roy to Henrietta and then back to Le Roy” Does that mean these cats are going to be altered then released back into the Wiss Hotel?

Feb 21, 2012, 8:32am Permalink
Beth Kinsley

Here's a great article about the ASPCA's catch and release program. “Relocation is an extremely difficult process. People should choose relocation only if the cats' territory is going to be demolished, there is no adjacent space to shift them to, and if the cats' lives would be at extreme risk should they remain where they are”

http://www.aspca.org/adoption/feral-cats-faq.aspx#option

Feb 21, 2012, 9:25am Permalink
Christina Marinaccio

I understand how hard it is to relocate unwanted animals but it’s becoming a sanitary issue in that particular building from the cats. Trapping them once is going to be difficult enough. If they release them into the building then the village starts tearing the building down next year they will have to be trapped a second time. If you have ever seen an animal in a have-a-heart trap you know that they become distressed and most often hurt themselves trying to get out. They also get an education on the trap and maybe won’t go into the dark metal box to get food next time. Not to mention the building is falling apart so the organization could be spending this money on altering 30 animals that are going to be crushed by falling bricks or getting hit by cars on 5 & 19. I agree that the altering of these animals is a wonderful thing I just think that the release of these animals is going to make things more difficult in the long run.

Feb 21, 2012, 9:49am Permalink
John Woodworth JR

You are right Christina they do learn that the metal box is a very bad place. The feral cats behind my parents place at one time were nearly two dozen strong. They are down to 8-12 now but, more kittens on the way. I wish I learned about this program sooner. I would like to have them get rid of the feral cat at my parents house. They crap all over the yard. They carry many different diseases and illnesses. My parents feel obligated to keep feeding them since, they started when they had two abandon in their barn. It is amazing that other agencies will come out to catch them but, want to charge you several hundred dollars. Then some will spay and neuter them for free but, will bring them back. Why keep feral cats anyway? Wish, I could use my 99 cents solution but, that would be concerned animal cruelty. Before you animal lovers get upset, let me ask you this. How is different than abandoning one's pet at a barn hoping there is enough nature food to support it? Especially, when a lot of the barns are not operational farms? I would be more than happy to allow someone to catch and take away these feral cats.

Feb 21, 2012, 2:02pm Permalink
Billie Owens

Spay Our Strays -- S.O.S. -- the organization which is undertaking the efforts in Le Roy next week, contacted The Batavian to say it has enough humane traps and transportation volunteers for next week's journey. Thanks to all!

Feb 21, 2012, 2:30pm Permalink
Julia Matusak

If more people would be responsible pet owners and spay/neuter their cats and dogs there wouldnt be feral cats. People just dump cats off and then they multiply over and over causing large colonies. I have a very close by neighbor who after 8 months suddenly decided to cast out 2 female cats simply because she decided not to want them anymore. And did not get them spayed first. They immediately became pregnant and now I have 7 stray cats in my backyard that I feed out of sympathy. SOS helped me get the 2 mama cats spayed but now the kittens are 6 months old and will soon start to multiply. I don't mind these few cats in my yard if they were all fixed but I can't afford to fix them all at a regular vet's and there is long wait list for SOS. And meanwhile, the cats get pregnant. And the wait list grows longer.
In addition, there is a feral colony of cats around corner from us and I am trying to help them out with another organization I know of but am having trouble raising the money. Everyone complains, but no one wants to really do anything. And then to criticize organizations like SOS for trying to help is really an insult!!

And also, to John, if your parents provide litter boxes, they wouldn't crap all over the yard. They should also be trapped and taken to the free rabies clinics. Also when cats are spayed/neutered they don't fight, they don't spray urine, they don't breed, and they are much less likely to have diseases.

Feb 21, 2012, 4:47pm Permalink
John Woodworth JR

Yeah, that would be great Julia if, litter was free and these cat actually knew what to do with the box. They have an empty sand box under the club house that is not used. I can argue that they will not fight when spayed or neutered is false. As well as neutered cats do not spray. An spayed and neutered cat doesn't keep a cat from collecting diseases. I am tired of people dropping off cats at people's farms because, they feel the cat will survive. My Mom has already adopted four kittens because, the stray mother was hit by a vehicle and killed. She felt bad for the kittens especially with winter approaching at the time. Now she has five cats which fight and spray. All are neutered and spayed. Not to mention are more like Bobcats than house cats. My Mom loves them because, they are cuddly and loving to her. I just want to know if, there is someone out there that will take the feral cats away forever and free?

Feb 21, 2012, 5:17pm Permalink
Julia Matusak

John, I sympathize with your concerns and with your parents and bless them for trying their best to take care of these cats. And I totally agree with you that I too am sick of people just dropping off cats at barns, etc. It is a disgusting practice, but I also understand there are times that one can no longer care for a pet and if you call any of the shelters, the answer is always the same. They say no because they are already full and overflowing. And conditions such as at the Wyoming Co. SPCA cannot exist either. The only answer is to get cats spayed/neutered and if you cannot find a home for a no longer wanted pet it may be best to euthanize it in a humane manner. But most vets refuse to do that and it would also cost money so people dump them out at roadsides and barns. And strays that aren't fixed soon breed and then a feral colony is born.
I do not know of any organization that would just take away feral cats. There are just too many of them in every neighborhood, every farm, every city. Organizations like SOS just try to decrease the population of these cats by getting them spayed/neutered.
Laws need to be changed regarding cats. There are no feral dog colonies out there.

Feb 21, 2012, 6:43pm Permalink

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