Thank those who help cats
You have to appreciate the amount of time that Page Williams took to handpick the “facts” included in her Sunday letter to the editor.
The type of legislation regarding cats that she supports has been tried before in many communities. It does not work. It is often used as a tool to bully others, and it drives compassionate people underground instead of encouraging them to receive help sterilizing and vaccinating cats.
In terms of enforcement, who does she suggest is going to do it? Overburdened code offices or police departments? Better yet, who is going to pay for it?
Currently, the Washington County humane officer is paid by the Washington Area Humane Society, which itself struggles to meet the needs of a growing community. Reputable animal control officers do not wish to remove healthy animals that are being cared for, and are not paid to shoulder the cost of wholesale killing of colony animals. And, regardless of what the American Veterinary Medical Association supposedly supports, I know of no veterinarian who willingly puts a healthy animal to sleep.
Concerning our community, Williams was incorrect on a number of issues. The Washington County Fairgrounds is not private property. It is owned by Washington County and leased to the fair board. The number of colony cats cared for by volunteers at the Fairgrounds has steadily declined due to their diligent work neutering and spaying them and vaccinating newcomers. The cats’ overall health has improved. Sick or injured animals receive medical attention and are euthanized humanely if medically necessary. This is a well-managed colony and costs the fair board and taxpayers of Washington County nothing.
Williams’ statement that Pennsylvania has a “notoriously high rabies rate” can only be described as a scare tactic. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, in 2015 the total reported rabies cases in Pennsylvania was 188. In 2016, the Department of Agriculture reported three rabies cases in Washington County, none of which were reported in cats.
Thank God that people are compassionate. Through their personal hard work and financial support, colony cats are vaccinated and sterilized. While it is not a perfect scenario, it is the only realistic plan that has been put in place that works. With zero population growth as the goal, and attrition due to natural death, populations do steadily decline. Residents who do this often unappreciated work deserve thanks.
Michelle Bruce
Venetia