Wednesday, April 20, 2005

Microchip touted as solution to stray-cat problem
NCTimes.com, CA
RIVERSIDE ---- To reduce the number of stray cats roaming the region, the county is looking to plant microchips in the shoulders of felines and provide spay ...


Litigation may save thousands of animals
Animal welfare activists say authorities not enforcing neutering for selfish reasons; increased donations from abroad may save shelters
Ynetnews, Israel
TEL AVIV - The country has no law that requires animal owners to neuter and spay their pets, and this is the main cause for the abundance of stray cats and ...

Coyotes in Our Midst: Coexisting with an Adaptable and Resilient Carnivore

The Animal Protection Institute is pleased to announce the publication of Coyotes in Our Midst: Coexisting with an Adaptable and Resilient Carnivore, the first ever comprehensive report on non-lethal approaches to conflicts between humans and coyotes in both urban and rural areas. API is offering a free copy to conservation and wildlife protection organizations, state and local management agencies, and communities interested in non-lethal approaches to coyote conflicts. Order your copy of this invaluable publication today! Visit http://www.BanCruelTraps.com

Coyotes In Our Midst aims to provide readers with information on the wide array of practical and proven techniques available to ranchers and suburbanites for coexisting with coyotes. This publication analyzes a range of practical solutions and non-lethal techniques, from livestock guard dogs to motion-activated scare devices, that can significantly reduce, if not eliminate, negative interactions between coyotes and humans.

In addition to presenting a comprehensive review of humane methods of addressing conflicts, Coyotes In Our Midst provides information on the biological and ecological importance of coyotes, as well as an historical overview of coyote management in the United States and a perspective on why traditional, federally-subsidized coyote control programs have failed to mitigate conflicts over the long term.

History has shown that intense and widespread efforts to eradicate or suppress coyote populations have proven counterproductive, contributing to the species' proliferation throughout North America. Many scientists and wildlife managers conclude that the only viable long-term solution to resolving conflicts with coyotes is through educated coexistence and the implementation of effective, socially acceptable, and humane mitigation techniques. Coyotes In Our Midst advocates such an approach, providing information, tools, and additional resources to promote peaceful co-exist
with this adaptable, resilient, and resourceful predator.

* view report online
* downloadable pdf file

Channel Islands National Park: Island Pig, Island Fox, Setnicka

The truth about ‘restoration’
CoastalView.Com, CA

In a stunning confession, the ex-superintendent of Channel Islands National Park has revealed that the Santa Cruz Island Pig is innocent of endangering the Island Fox.

“To help sell the fox restoration program for which we had no money, we came up with the media spin that one of the main reasons golden eagles reside on park islands was because of pigs. This would help vilify the pigs and help support the pig removal project,” wrote Tim Setnicka in a statement voluntarily submitted to the Santa Barbara News-Press.

The Nature Conservancy and National Park Service, co-managers of the island, recently awarded a contract to fence and gun down two to four thousand animals at a cost of over seven million tax-payer dollars. The Santa Cruz Island ‘Restoration’ Project, known internally as the “mega kill, poison, burn plan,” would also involve fire, and aerial spraying of chemical herbicide, to defoliate the island so the victims could not hide.

Channel Islands National Park management recently feted the park’s 25th anniversary. Setnicka expresses concern that the park is “now largely known as an area in which systematic biologic genocide has been committed....”

He offers a graphic first-hand account of Island Pig ‘removal’:

“In thick vegetation, clean kill shots are hard to make...we frequently gut shot and wounded pigs...pigs were caught by their hind legs and then were knifed or beaten to death.”

The whistle blower explained that park personnel never allowed the media to view the killing “to avoid images of the ugliness of the hunt.” He said they always gave “safety” as the reason for denying media requests.

Channel Islands Animal Protection Association (CHIAPA) was founded in 2001 during the effort to protect the Anacapa Island Rat and other wildlife from mass poisoning by the National Park Service. CHIAPA and the Fund for Animals successfully halted the poisoning temporarily by taking the agency to federal court.

The National Park Service responded by obtaining — from collaborating government agencies — permits to violate environmental protection law. The judge had no choice but to allow the poisoning to proceed. Thousands of birds and mammals suffered a horrific death in the aftermath of three aerial drops of deadly poison over the island and surrounding ocean.

Setnicka’s revelation represents a victory for those who oppose the, until now politically correct, ‘restoration’ killing of wildlife.

Says CHIAPA founder Rob Puddicombe, “We’re delighted that an insider is finally telling the truth about the cruelty and deceit of so-called restoration. Setnicka confirms CHIAPA’s message that there’s something for everyone to hate about these projects.”

The confession is a miracle. CHIAPA is immensely grateful that Mr. Setnicka had the courage to speak up. Perhaps now Congress will finally grant our request to halt the Santa Cruz Island ‘Restoration’ Project for an investigation.

Please contact your U.S. Representatives Lois Capps at (805) 730-1710, fax (805) 730-9153, and Elton Gallegly at (805) 497-2224, fax (805) 497-0039

Scarlet Newton
Channel Islands Animal Protection Association

Friday, April 15, 2005

Batty policy to kill cats
RecordNet.com, Stockton, CA
[Excerpt]
That's why Jacek Kostyrko, a Delta math teacher and fellow transpee from Warsaw, Poland, is desperately trying to round up all the feral cats on the campus grounds by this weekend.
The county health department has ordered all feral cats removed by Sunday. It's really a death sentence. No one adopts a feral cat.
The saga began in March when county officials found eight dead bats on campus. Why did they die? Nobody knows. The bats weren't tested for rabies.
Apparently, no one does bat autopsies. Too costly, they said.
It's much easier for bureaucrats to assume the bats were rabid, and that the campus cats were all exposed to them.
The bureaucratic solution: exclude the bats by boarding up their hiding places. Oh, and kill all the feral cats.
[Excerpt]
In the past six years, the best solution to the campus-cat issue has been Kostyrko. He spayed, neutered and took sick cats to the vet. The numbers have gone down, from 90 cats at its peak, to about 30. Removing them will only create a void that will bring on more feral cats. That's biology.

[Feral Cat Blog! Resources:

Bats and Rabies - CDC Rabies
Information from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Why should I learn about bats and rabies?
Most of the recent human rabies cases in the United States have been caused by rabies virus from bats. Awareness of the facts about bats and rabies can help people protect themselves, their families, and their pets. This information may also help clear up misunderstandings about bats.
When people think about bats, they often imagine things that are not true. Bats are not blind. They are neither rodents nor birds. They will not suck your blood -- and most do not have rabies. Bats play key roles in ecosystems around the globe, from rain forests to deserts, especially by eating insects, including agricultural pests. The best protection we can offer these unique mammals is to learn more about their habits and recognize the value of living safely with them.

Are bats beneficial?
Yes. Worldwide, bats are a major predator of night-flying insects, including pests that cost farmers billions of dollars annually. Throughout the tropics, seed dispersal and pollination activities by bats are vital to rain forest survival. In addition, studies of bats have contributed to medical advances including the development of navigational aids for the blind. Unfortunately, many local populations of bats have been destroyed and many species are now endangered.

California Bat Conservation Fund - Bat FAQs
Like all mammals, bats can contract rabies, but only about 1 in 1,000 bats will become infected with this disease.

Alley Cat Rescue > Feral Facts > Rabies
Feral Cats and Effective Rabies Control

Organization for Bat Conservation
Bats and rabies

Bat Conservation International:
Answers to Questions About Bats, Rabies, and Other Health Issues

Bat World Sanctuary ]

Wednesday, April 13, 2005

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Wisconsin Cats
Hunting Cats? - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources [WI DNR]
Wisconsin Conservation Congress
Daily News - [February 11 to March 31]
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CA: Stockton (San Joaquin County)
Bats and cats must go
Delta campus combo called unhealthy; group seeks feline home
RecordNet.com, Stockton, CA
[Excerpt]
Members of the Delta Friends of Campus Cats — an organization that controls the school’s cat population by spaying, neutering and vaccinating strays — say the removal will erase seven years of progress. Founding member Jacek Kostyrko, a math instructor at Delta, said the number of stray cats on campus has been reduced by more than 50 percent since the group started operating in 1998.
"We have put a lot of effort at no expense to the college to monitor the cat population," Kostyrko said. "In one decision, it was totally wiped out."

Friday April 1 to Wednesday April 13, 2005

April 12, 2005

Broadside at state over cats
Hobart Mercury, Australia
... "If we got some action from the state now, we'd be able to start making a real dent in the numbers of dumped and feral cats in Tasmania. ...

April 11, 2005

Time to tame feral cat crisis
Hobart Mercury, Australia
... Wolf is hired by businesses and councils to trap and euthanase cats -- with plenty of success. Mr Wolf said the vast majority were feral, but microchipping ...

Latrobe leads with legal checks
Hobart Mercury, Australia
... "This gives animal control officers the right to dispose of feral cats if they're not registered or identified," Mr Gaffney said. ...

Call to introduce registration laws
Hobart Mercury, Australia
... The Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment said feral cats were reduced in selected areas, such as islands, where their numbers couldn't be ...

Knoxville man charged with poisoning feral cats
WBIR-TV, TN
... punishment. Everyday Trina Jones feeds the stray and feral cats that live behind an East Knoxville strip mall. "I'm just an animal lover. ...

April 9, 2005

Red tide & pets
Bradenton Herald, FL
... But a substantial population of feral cats inhabits Anna Maria Island, and their timid and stealthy nature keeps them under the radar screen and their symptoms ...

Restoration plan aims to undo years of ocean pollution
Daily Breeze, CA
... hatch on their own and, around various other islands, seabird colonies recovered from DDT but were wiped out by non-native predators like rats and feral cats. ...

Solutions scarce for feral cat problem
Toledo Blade, OH
... indoors. The topic of feral cats was among several discussed at the Toledo-Lucas County health department's spring forum. The daylong ...

April 8, 2005

Vet Rebuts Shelter Accusations
Lake County Record-Bee, CA
... Feral cats will do this as an attempt to escape when a frightening situation presents itself even in the absence of any painful stimulus. ...

Trapped cats not being euthanized, Kent residents told
The Journal News.com, NY
KENT — The town is not trapping and killing feral cats, as some residents have feared — a worry that spawned a flier warning of such an undertaking and ...

Janine Rubeck named new director of animal shelter
Oshkosh Northwestern, WI
... The shelter took in five feral cats that Rubeck knew would be hard to place. She managed to locate a feral cat rescue willing to do a trade. ...

Crowds bid farewell to village's 'cat woman'
Clitheroe Today, UK
KNOWN as "The lady who loved cats", Mrs Joan Youd, who cared for a tribe of feral cats livin... WHALLEY butcher Stuart Tyldesley ...

Killer kitties a bane for bird-lovers
Times Herald-Record, NY
... plover. Smells from feral cats brought a get-rid-of-the cats order from New Windsor officials at a local trailer park recently. ...

Animal rights body warns against feeding wild cats
Limerick Post, Ireland
Speaking to the Limerick Post, Marian Fitzgibbon of Limerick Animal Welfare said that whereas up to a few years ago colonies of feral cats took up residence in ...

How to save Scotland's wildcats ... just neuter the family feline
Scotsman, UK
Britain’s top experts also called for feral cats in prime Highland habitats to be culled, saying that the wildcat could "literally disappear overnight ...

Groom your cats or else, warns council
Hawke's Bay Today, New Zealand
... Mistreated cats and feral cats were common in Napier, with East Pier and Clive Square among the more popular "dumping places", he said. ...

April 7, 2005

Perry's work with cats earns prestigious award
Ledger Dispatch, CA
... But now, Perry can tend to kittens under eight weeks who need to be bottle fed, tame feral cats and give intravenous fluids to sick ones. ...


Plum Pine planting to save Pygmy Possum
Jindabyne Summit Sun, Australia
... to exist in Kosciuszko National Park. "We suspect, we're not quite sure but suspect feral cats. 'There is no other reason we can ...

April 6, 2005

Alicyn Leigh - The Kitty Conundrum
Long Island Press, NY
Statistics show that in one year, a mating pair of unaltered feral cats can produce 12 kittens. In fact, according to Spay USA, a ...

A-PAL offers solutions to feral cats
Amador Ledger-Dispatch, CA
The future of feral cats in Amador County now involves more than being hit by a car or ending up as somebody’s afternoon target practice. ...

Group wants to add cat section to animal shelter
Idaho State Journal, ID
... The proposed expansion would include a colony room, where multiple cats would socialize, 10 new pens for feral cats, an adoption room enabling people to play ...

Feral cats
Amador Ledger-Dispatch, CA
The feral cats are not breaking any food chain of wild animals … cats were once “wild animals” as well, they can live in the wild just as well as any ...

April 5, 2005

Volunteers wade in to assist neighbors in rising waters
Allentown Morning Call, PA
... Three feral cats were stranded in an alley behind Delaware Road on Monday afternoon. Bob Manahan donned his waders and walked into ...

April 4, 2005

News story didn't portray real life of feral cats
The Free Lance-Star, VA
The life of feral cats wasn't accurately portrayed in a recent article ["Life on the streets," Town & County, March 5]. ... Most feral cats shouldn't be relocated. ...

April 3, 2005

Keeping cats inside will save unnecessary pain
Wodonga Border Mail, Australia
... It would stop all these pathetic, brutal attacks, help our native flora and fauna re-establish, the population of feral cats and domestic population would ...

Operation Catnip's mission is urgent
Gainesville Sun, FL
Operation Catnip is stepping up efforts to spay and neuter as many stray and feral cats as it can to keep Alachua County Animal Services and rescue groups from soon being awash in unwanted kittens.

Kittens of feral mom need to be caught, handled
Miami Herald Q: I have been taking care of a feral mother cat and her five kittens. I am trying to get them accustomed to
humans so they will be adoptable at some point, and I am slowly making progress.

Downpours flood parts of NCCo
The News Journal, DE
... In the city's Southbridge neighborhood, Delaware Humane Association volunteers had to evacuate two managed feral cat colonies ... "They were removing cats from a ...

2 groups take swipe at feral cat overpopulation
Chicago Tribune (subscription)
... "There's a feral cat overpopulation in McHenry County. Statistics show that we have about 20,000 to 30,000 feral cats. A lot aren't spayed or neutered.". ...

Linn cats multiplying like rabbits
Albany Democrat Herald, OR
... turning away cats, the over-population problem continues to increase as do threats to public safety caused by a burgeoning population of stray and feral cats. ...
Linn cats multiplying like rabbits
Corvallis Gazette Times, OR

April 2, 2005

City family has unwelcome guest
Brockton Enterprise, MA
... But she has seen it in the early mornings and has noticed that four feral cats that used to roam her yard, as well as a neighbor's cat, have disappeared. ...

Prejudice remains in many hearts
[City of Hampton, Virginia]
Daily Press, VA
... If people are feeding feral cats, the new regulations require that caregivers register with Animal Control annually, provide medical care, inoculate the cats ...

April 1, 2005

Sailors, Civilians Prepare Home For Endangered Bird
Navy Compass, CA
... electrical fence has been erected around the island to protect the least tern colony from terrestrial predators such as skunks, opossums and feral cats, and a ...

This Weekend in South County
Providence Journal (subscription), RI
... Paws Watch operates a trap, neuter and release program for feral cats, and tries to find homes for homeless cats. Volunteers are ...

Pet adoption begs to be taken seriously
Seattle Post Intelligencer
... Mary Leake Schilder of PAWS. But, soon, some neighborhoods will be ankle-deep in feral cats birthed in back yards and carports. ...