WHSV - TV 3 aired a story about animal welfare in our community yesterday, as reported by Carly Stephenson - WHSV. We felt there were a few key points we could help clarify within this informative story. First, the Rockingham-Harrisonburg SPCA has stated that a no-kill community is not responsible, partially because a large percentage of the cats they euthanize are feral cats (cats which are undomesticated and are not pets), and claimed that trap-neuter-return (TNR) of feral cats is unlawful. The reason we support TNR is this: we believe feral cats have a right to life. Being wild does not devalue an animals life or makes them any more disposable than a domesticated animal of the same species. Our trap-neuter-return program is dedicated to feral cats who have caretakers. They have someone who feeds and waters them, and provides them outdoor shelter. This means that we do not support trapping unclaimed cats on the street, sterilizing, and releasing cats back onto the street following sterilization--that is not what trap-neuter-return means in modern times. We trap feral cats, sterilize them at the Shenandoah Valley Spay/Neuter Clinic, and lawfully return them to their caregivers. What we have found is that most people who are taking care of feral cats are willing to keep them as long as they dont multiply. By sterilizing them, these same people can continue to keep these cats on their property, where they will live out their lives and not produce additional wild cats. A natural reduction in population will occur because they can no longer reproduce. We trap, neuter, and return 800 feral cats per year. We believe those are 800 lives worth saving, whether they wish to be petted or not. That is what responsible and humane treatment of animals is to our organization. Second, if no kill is not possible, what is the maximum rate of animals that can be saved in our community? Spay/neuter of family pets, or of outside cats that have caretakers, is one of the major ways to save lives and prevent additional pets entering into the animal shelter. We spend $75,000 per year towards spay/neuter assistance for those in need, versus the stated $5,000 the RHSPCA spends. At the rate of about $60 per pet--if a low-cost clinic like the Shenandoah Valley Spay/Neuter Clinic is used--the RHSPCA is helping about 85 total cats and dogs be sterilized per year, compared to the 1,500 cats we help save each year through spay/neuter. As mentioned in the story, about half a million of our tax dollars in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County go to a shelter that believes it has already reached its maximum save rate, yet euthanizes 70% of cats and 30% of dogs. If you believe in proactively working towards saving lives, and want to help reduce how many animals are brought to the shelter, please contribute now. We have 3 days left to reach the goal of $50,000 set by a donor for our Summertime Challenge, who will match with another $50,000 if we make our goal. Making this goal is crucial. We can help so many more cats with this match, whether they are domesticated or feral. To donate, please visit catscradleva.org, and click donate. And to watch the video on this story, please click on the link or on Jazzs picture. Matt Chan Adoption Coordinator whsv/video?videoid=2906232
Posted on: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 18:41:05 +0000
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