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Feral Cats Recognized as a Major Problem

Feral cats were discussed at a recent meeting. Illustration by Amboy Guardian.

Feral cats were discussed at a recent meeting. Illustration by Amboy Guardian.

PERTH AMBOY – 3/9/15 Caucus Meeting topic for discussion: Trap, Neuter and Release Program. An Animal Control Officer from the Perth Amboy Shelter was the featured speaker who came to address this problem. He stated to the Council that nothing has been done in regards to feral cats in Perth Amboy.

“The last two years has been the lowest kill rate. The state of New Jersey has the most ordinances dealing with feral cats. Currently we go to known cat colonies (mostly on private properties). We trap the cats and send them to the vet to neuter and vaccinate. Cats are very territorial and mark their location.  If the cats are not spayed or neutered, they will return to their original location. They transfer a lot of diseases. If the cats are not in good health, we euthanize them. Healthier cats are adoptable after vaccinating, neutering and spaying. We’ll have volunteers to help in this program. The organization People for Animals will be in charge of the training. The cats that are released back into the environment have the tips of their ears removed. There will be no cost to the town. Grants and fundraisers will help defray most of the cost and trained volunteers will be used.”

Councilman Fernando Irizarry said, “There is a big problem with cats living in abandoned houses.”

Councilman Joel Pabon said, “I feel this is a win-win situation.”The Officer cautioned, “There are certain criteria that has to be met for this program to succeed and to get funding:

1.) The population

2.) The location

3.) The amount of cats

The number one call that comes to the animal shelter is about the feral cat problem. Outdoor cats on average live 4 – 7 years. Eventually the whole colony will die out. The ASPCA will donate money.”

Business Administrator Jillian Barrick said, “PetSmart and other animal groups (organizations) will help out if the Council needs to adopt the legislation to approve the program.”

He continued, “We have to determine the ownership of the cats (the person who feeds them) and let them know they are not financially or legally responsible for those feral cats upkeep (feeding, spaying, neutering, vaccinations, etc.) People who feed cats will have to stop doing that for one day. This will get us a chance to set a trap for the animals to capture them. This is going to be on a trial basis before we can apply for grants because they have to see a track record on how we are handling this to see if we are successfully handling this. There is a Veterinarian in Sayreville who charges a fee of $55 which includes testing, vaccinating and neutering.”

Before as the animal control officer was finishing his presentation, Council President Lisa Nanton asked him, “Do you prefer dogs or cats?”

The Officer answered, “I’m not going to answer that, but I personally have dogs.”

Animal Activist Virginia Morales who is TNR (Trap – Neuter – Release) Certified believed that this Trap-Neuter-Release Program will not work. She disputed the survival rate of 4 – 7 years of feral cats as stated by the Animal Control Officer. “These cats can travel and survive.” She mentioned a cat colony by Raritan Bay Medical Center. “Cats as young as four months old can get pregnant. Because of this the feral cat population can grow very quickly.”

Morales read a lengthy statement to back up her findings.

Morales later came back to speak during the public portion. She talked about a house on High Street where there are multiple cats in and around the property and the terrible conditions. “I talked to the resident that lives there to try and help them out. I had to set traps behind their property.”

Morales was a catalyst for the Council to ask for the Animal Control Officer to come speak about the feral cat problem. Morales has come before the Council for years. She herself has written letters and has spoken to organizations and groups on how to deal not only with feral cat problems, but in helping with all animals in distress. She is a teacher who educates her students about the proper care of animals. She told how her students relay their concerns about the large cat population and they can be a danger to anyone, especially young children.

Resident Reinaldo Aviles saw a potential legal problem with volunteers going on private property to trap feral cats. “You should get permission from the owner who is feeding the cats that are on their property.”

At the 3/11/15 Regular Council Meeting, Morales said, “TNR is an art form. The training sessions are 3 to 5 hours. Volunteers need to log their activities. There are cats at the Perth Amboy Shelter and  those Caretakers know what to do. She noticed that in the last couple of years the Perth Amboy Shelter has improved greatly.”

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