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PAS details feral cat plan

by Cameron Rasmusson Staff Writer
| April 12, 2011 7:00 AM

SANDPOINT — Humane treatment and effectiveness are the key elements in the Pandhandle Animal Shelter’s new trap-neuter-release program for feral cats.

 A project detailed at the Sandpoint Administrative Committee Thursday evening, PAS executive director Mandy Evans introduced it as a more compassionate and effective solution to the problem of feral cats. Evans sought authorization for the program through an amendment to a city ordinance that prohibits releasing animals within city limits.

“There’s no way we can bring them into the shelter,” Evans said. “They’re just not domesticated at all.”

Feral cats are the descendants of strays that have been born into the wild. However, they have lost any domesticated characteristics, resulting in territorial behavior that can be hostile toward humans. Oftentimes, they group into colonies that produce societal problems through sheer numbers.

“We do have some real issues with feral cats in this community,” Police Chief Mark Lockwood said.

Evans said that an extermination policy for feral cats is not only unfortunate, it’s also fairly ineffective at solving the social problems they cause. Even if a feral colony is gutted from a particular area, a new set of cats will likely be drawn in later on by the same food sources. According to Evans, euthanizing cats only provides a temporary solution.

A TNR program seeks to avoid that problem by allowing feral cats to live out their natural lifespan in their territory while eliminating their ability to cause problems. PAS volunteers trap the animals, spay or neuter them, vaccinate them for diseases and release them back into their original habitat.

The Administrative Committee supported the program, encouraging Evans to work with the police department to properly implement it.

“I think it’s a wonderful idea,” councilwoman Marsha Ogilvie said.

Lockwood also expressed interest in the program and offered to help Evans ensure its economic sustainability and effectiveness.

“Making sure that we have the best possible program in place is our main focus,” Lockwood said.