DEAR SUN SPOTS: I live on a dead end street. Across the street are 48 housing units. When people move out, they leave their cats. Some are pregnant. The cats come to my apartment to be fed.
Currently there are six kittens and three full-grown wild cats. I’m afraid they will freeze this winter.
I called animal control and Tommy’s Feral Felines, but I haven’t gotten any help. I need help to remove and capture them. Any help will be appreciated. Thank you and keep up your good work. — Richard A., Lewiston, 783-3632
ANSWER: The plight of homeless cats breaks Sun Spots’ heart. They have always been a problem, but the economic crisis has exacerbated it. They even have a name for them: foreclosure cats.
All of the charities that work so hard to help homeless cats are completely overwhelmed. When Sun Spots found a pregnant, starving, sick cat last year, her animal shelter told her that it would be a death sentence to bring her to them because they were so overcrowded. Many shelters are out of room, period.
Feral cats are an even tougher problem because they are not generally adoptable. The accepted policy with them is “trap, neuter and return.” The cats are caught in a Have-A Heart or similar trap, neutered and then returned to the outdoors with some shelter (say a barn) and food and water provided.
One of the newest approaches to feral cats is to put them to work. A recent issue of Cat Fancy listed dozens of businesses that have installed neutered cats as ongoing rodent control. Some examples are warehouses, open air food markets and even police stations.
Without endless breeding, the cats maintain a stable population. Neutered cats are also less likely to fight or roam or cause problems for neighbors (see the following letter).
Sun Spots applauds Richard’s concern for these creatures and hopes help will be forthcoming. If he can get help capturing the kittens, even if they are wild, the local humane society might be able to find them homes.
Finally, everyone can help reduce the number of unwanted cats by neutering their pets. There is help available to pay for the procedure. Sun Spots used the Cleo fund (www.animalwelfaresociety.org, 773-6221).
Help Fix ME, financed by pet food registration fees, is at http://tinyurl.com/d659b6, 1-800-367-1317 or 287-7621. According to the website, if you receive or are eligible for food stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability or Maine Care (Medicaid), you can have your cat fixed for $10, and your dog fixed for $20.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have unsuccessfully contacted my animal control officer in the area of Peru. I live next door to a home that is unoccupied, except when the lady who used to live there comes to feed her many cats (about every two days).
I have two brand-new motorcycles, and the cats have left scratches and muddy prints all over the bikes. They used to enter my cars (they are closed from now on); they sit on the hood, scratch the paint.
When I go outside or come back from a drive, I see the cats run for home. Is there anything I can do since I am not getting help from local animal control officer? I have called him several times. – No Name, Peru
ANSWER: Sun Spots has talked to many people facing this problem. It seems that most local animal control authorities don’t do much about stray cats unless they are rabid. Sun Spots would like to hear from animal control officers on this topic.
Meanwhile, the following tips come from Alley Cat Allies:
* Approach your neighbor and express your concerns. Tell her about the options for reduced-cost neutering.
* Apply nontoxic deterrents around your yard. (You can buy these at places like Agway and Paris Farmers Union. In the summer, a motion-sensored water sprinkler is quite effective.)
* Put a tight lid on your garbage can.
* Block gaps in buildings and sheds.
* Use a car (or motorcycle) cover.
This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be e-mailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
