Cape Charles Mayor Dize stepped in it this week when he unknowingly created a debate on the supposed feral cat problem in the great town of Cape Charles. This is a cautionary tale of what happens when government attempts to leverage the quantum nature of social media. Here is the message:
Ferrell cats!
Over the past few weeks there have been many complaints about the Ferrell cat population in Cape Charles. It has been perceived that these complaints have come from new residents, I can assure you that’s not the case.
I commend the efforts from ESSO and the work they have been doing.
As elected officials we set policies, our professional staff follows out these policies. If our current Codes and Ordinances need to be changed or removed, we will take a look at them and adjust as needed.
Virginia is a Dillon Rule State, which means we can not incorporate a law unless it’s in the state code or we can not have a law that is contradictory to the state code. Below is links to the Town Code, County Code and State Code in reference to cats and pets.
It is to be noted that all pets must be licensed through the county, have updated shots and tags. Owners are responsible for their pets actions.
If your pet is not licensed, please have it done.
Some of the complaints we have been receiving is, porch furniture getting tore up, boat covers damage, cat peeing on people’s porches, cats pooping in peoples yards and the list goes on.
I have and love my pet, and take care of it. I don’t know anyone who wants to see an animal hurt. But at the same time I have a responsibility to the citizens of Cape Charles and take all complaints seriously. I listen and research each one individually.
So, what exactly is being proposed here? Catch all the cats and kill them? What kind of message is this? Are feral cats really a big problem? Are they really tearing up furniture and boat covers? Are they affecting property values?
Here’s some of the blow back from citizens:
Sounds like the ‘new bloggers’ in town aren’t happy.
…Apparently the cats keep photobombing theircollage of perceived good times with ice cream they’re posting on Instagram in an attempt to rent their homes in summer and increase their property values…
I have a problem with some of the citizens of this town who leave trash all over the beach and cigarette buds everywhere! Speed down the streets etc. People are doing more damagethen those cats. They have a right to live Smitty just like anyone else.
This is so stupid it burns. Five white people make a complaint and it becomes a public policy issue. The cats are not going anywhere, no matter what you do. They’re like the Taliban, they always come back. If the cats bother you, move. Isn’t the real problem all fat stupid golfers walking around in ugly pants? Aren’t they the real enemy? As a town, can we for once get our priorities straight? (this obnoxious note was of course from Wayne Creed)Maybe they should all go back where they came from…
During public comments at Thursday’s Regular Meeting, several people voiced concerns about the derelict effect the cats are having on the town, and how the feral population was ruining the warm, fuzzy feeling Cape Charles used to have. The general complaint about cat urine and feces was most popular–property damage ran a close second. The plaintiffs, in this case only number around six.
I have a cat that I feed and let hang out on my porch, mainly because I like it and generally don’t GAF. It seems the bigger problem is the somewhat dainty people that have moved to this town, not being aware that a town, no matter the size is urban, and by nature, urban areas provide habit for certain forms of wildlife, such as mice, rats, squirrels and of course, cats.
Every day… a dapper little old man stepped out on the balcony on the other side of the street… Leaning over the balcony he would call: “Pussy! Pussy!” in a voice at once haughty and endearing… He then proceeded to tear some paper into scraps and let them fall into the street; interested by the fluttering shower of white butterflies, the cats came forward, lifting tentative paws toward the last scraps of paper. Then, taking careful aim, the old man would spit vigorously at the cats and, whenever a liquid missile hit the quarry, would beam with delight. — Albert Camus, The Plague
Live and let live. Mind your own business and leave the cats alone.
In the Pittsburgh area, ever so often, they catch them give them a check up, worm them, neuter them and put them back where they found them.
They have a life and a job to do in the city.
Sounds like a solid plan for Congress.
Throw in a euthanasia clause and I think most Americans would get on board.
Ur wrong !!
Mayor Fool can’t even spell feral!
Most cats are not feral they are discarded, lost frightened cats.
I agree with you. And it’s very sad for these helpless animals.
I sooo much agree with this.
Never kill a healthy cat!
Ahh ha ha ha…snort! Whoo…boy. Yeah, that is some rib cracking stuff there, Ray Otton. Have you considered standup? I mean, you kill…no pun intended. “Sounds like a solid plan for Congress. Throw in a euthanasia clause and I think most Americans would get on board.” Yessir, that’s one great one-liner. I mean nothing says funny like the word ‘Euthanasia’. Especially clever how you tied into Congress and all. I bet if you played the Westminster Canterbury during the dinner hour, you’d slay em. Maybe throw in a few old Obama jokes. You know, like back in the day. Just wish my humor was up to snuff like yours, man.
Oh, I tried to be funny, you know, like that one joke I told in my last comment. You know the one, where I called you, Blue and Sea my good buddies. That was a joke. Ha Ha. I know, but it’s no death gag (see what I did there? Huh, did ya?) Cough… Okay, now where did I put that whoopie cushion?
Don’t kill any cats!
You have no Heart!
You mad, bro?
Well said.
Amazing how it takes a couple people to complain and start a big debate. Trap the cats, fix them and return them. These few people need a life. Leave the cats alone.
Trap Neuter and Release is the answer.
It will humanely control the feral cat population.
Thank you for speaking up.
Your welcome, I have done TNR before
Yes! TNR!
Grammer lessons for the mayor too!
**GRAMMAR.
I know how it is when one person starts to complain. I have had my job trying to get people to understand. There are shrubs people can plant to keep the cats out of the gardens or off their porches. Knowledge. Yes TNR..so important. Not the cats fault. The people who just dump them. Thank you
Arizona
I agree 100 percent, with you
In Philadelphia we let healthy cats live! Spay and neuter and take care of these mostly lovely animals. People are far more sloppy and detrimental to the environment than any cat ever was! Get a life! Have a heart/brain. It is the 21st century!
Also, your mayor should go back to school; his writing and diction – terrible!
Long live the felines!
Cat haters rot!
Love cats!
I agree also
Sorry but i will say this our lord and savior created them to control vermits and if you think that using RAT POISON SOLVES THINGS REMEMBER THAT THE RAT POISON KILLS US BUT THE CAT WILL DO A BETTER JOB REMEMBER TO PROVIDE A WARM HOME AND FOOD THEY ARE NOT STUPID ENOUGH TO EAT THE RAT I SUPPORT h
Just take care of them. It’s our job and they deserve respect and life
Why do cats deserve respect?
Do they respect humans?
Seems to me they treat humans with disdain, not respect.
The cats were there before the people and they help keep rodents in control. Feral cats deserve to live as much as we do. Trap, Neuter, Return is the best way to keep them from reproducing. This mayor has no compassion!
Thanks, Wayne, for sticking up for the fuzzy black cat in our block of Monroe! We look forward to seeing that kitty every time we are in our CC house; she is the welcoming committee for our block!
Well said.
Thank you for pointing out the obvious – “urban areas provide habitat for certain forms of wildlife”. No matter how vigilant we are, there will always be cats around. If a colony is eliminated, guess what? A different set of cats move in. Research has shown that most colonies maintain their numbers at no more than 13. Once the quota is reached, members remove themselves and begin a new colony. So interesting to read the studies by Universities and even the studies conducted by the Department of Defense which uses TNR to control the numbers of cats on government properties.
Did someone actually see the cats tear up the porch furniture and boat covers? I question because I had the cushions of my deck furniture destroyed by squirrels.
Thank you Karen. There is also a racoon living in a tree on nectarine that has been known to cause some havoc!
It was probably an aesthetic intervention, lol!
Homeless cats are too busy looking for food, water and shelter to bother clawing sidewalk Provincial!
Cats are not decemating the bird population either; humans and pollution as well as “progress “ kill more birds than cats!
The great colonies of feral cats only want kindness, to eat and play. The people that do not like cats and are many need to at least have respect for these cats. Sad that they have to find a cause that is not necessary. TNR so simple.
I was thinking raccoons they love to tear things up.
I had cats, and my cats had claws, and for whatever reason, they were forever sharpening their claws on my porch posts, and they also shredded the front door screen.
So they can do damage.
Well stated Wayne. Thank you .
Get rid of the complainers !! They r nothing but cat-haters. Do the humane thing and have the felines neutered and vaccinated. If they have any medical problems, then treat them.
Trap neuter and rehome if possible and return if not. These are living souls and not to blame because thwy were abandoned. I am against all animal abuse including and especially using for lab experamental purposes. It is wrong.
Cat population wouldn’t be so bad if people would spend 25.00 and have them TNR (Trap Neatured and Returned) so instead of complaining about the cats who didn’t ask for this help them control population.
We have a lot of ferals around where I live and we have done just that. We don’t have anything torn up that’s on our porch. And as far as the urine the neatured / spaying would alleviate that.
You’re right..in my town we have a free service once a month if you can trap a cat to get it neutered or spayed it also gets a rabies vaccine that’s pretty much all we can do at this point if people keep abandoning their cats
In Philadelphia spaying and neutering, vaccinating is free 7 days a week, no appt needed at the city shelter. Animal control will even return the cats to their found location once the cats are post op (2.5 days later )
I live in Saugerties,N.Y. , a village between the Hudson River and the Catskill Mts. We also have free living cats…and we like them. A Trap- Neuter-Release program was instituted and was very effective. The cats are welcome here …and they do a good job of rodent control. The only effort we practice is keeping bird feeders high and isolated.
Good luck.
I love ALL cats!
I previously lived in Columbia, SC and TNR worked there too!
I am hopeful that it will work in Philadelphia as well although it is a daunting task!
The people involved in TNR spend their own money mostly to help cats but Philadelphia also received a generous grant and spaying and neutering, shots, worming and flea treatments are free at the main city shelter. There’s even a free cat food/dog food bank! There are cat shelter workshops in the fall/winter. Wouldn’t you all rather teach your kids compassion than how to kill?
Most of Philadelphia coexists with cats; for the most part cats litter way less than many of the urban dwellers.
I’m a cat lover I love cats…I live in a rural county and our town unfortunately does have a feral cat problem… I think both sides need to be listened to and I don’t care for the racist remarks about “white people” complaining… I currently am involved in a TNR program and right now we have no way to rehome these cats which would be the preferred method of dealing with them….
A town near us has a law against feeding feral cats. This law stops no one and they have given up. They feed after dark and the cats hide during the day. Police have better things to do than chase kitties. I was feeding 4 and now I have just one and after 6 years of being outside she is living in my house most of the time.
I knew this one would bring the Hillary supporters out of the woodwork…
Actually, many in the cat rescue arena are Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Conservatives, Liberals, Moderates, etc. All ethnicities and religious persuasions. What we agree upon is our love of animals wild and domestic, and doing what is right and best for each individual animal.
It’s comments like this one that cause many people to think conservatives are stupid. I’ve always been a Trump supporter, and I have maintained a large spayed, neutered, and vaccinated feral cat colony at my family’s farm north of the State line for 20 years. I feed these cats well, and they are well-sheltered in cold weather. These cats have lived contentedly there for years; some have become tame, and others have remained permanent ferals. They come from almost all parts of the East Coast. There are few other places with lots of acreage and multiple insulated buildings that will take them. I have even hired someone to help with their care when I can’t be at the farm. In this case, ,Mr. Hoss, you should have done some research before you posted your uninformed, narrow-minded comment.
You really care what ‘they’ think of you?
I would not urinate on Democrats if they were on fire. To care what they think is inconceivable to me.
I’m not surprised that you missed the entire point of my statement. One can be a “conservative” (actually, my politics are rather reactionary) and do as much as possible to prevent and relieve suffering, whether human or animal. I did a tour in Vietnam 50 years ago and saw a lifetime’s suffering and death. It changed my way of thinking. Perhaps you might try to be just a BIT more mentally flexible.
I just heard that woman can now be drafted alongside men. I almost rolled in the floor laughing. They want, so called, equality? Have some.
Thanks you for your service, I’m glad you made it home. I volunteered at age 17, during peace time, although I would have done the same during war.
Political? No, ETHICAL.
Don’t try to hide behind that.
The cats must have ‘White Privilege’.
I pitty cat haters. If your life is that empty try adopting one. Your life will change and hate will diminish. They are so dedicating to love which makes them something cat haters need. Please try to understand they don’t want to live like that or be unwanted. Everyone and everything deserves a chance. Understand the issue before you ridicule. It may bring a new light into your life.
There was once a feral cat colony located in a beach area on Staten Island, NY. The feral cat colony was removed and GUESS WHAT – that area is now over run with rats! Ha, they got what they got exactly what they deserve! To the old man who spits on the cats….all I can say is KARMA you miserable old turd.
I was so concerned about my 2 outdoors cats when new young families started moving in on my block. They were always adored by the old time neighbors. My cats are neutered, have all their vaccinations and one is microchipped.
I was pleasantly surprised when my neighbors were delighted with the cats being outdoors. One was grateful for the mouse patrol every early morning through his yard. My next door neighbor loves cats but her husband is allergic so she loves having my guy visit and her young son just adores my ‘Sushi’. All the neighbors with young children actually stop by to greet my cats!
Whenever one of my guys doesn’t show up for a meal or overnight, the neighbors join me in searching for them. They also don’t freak out over the racoons that live here. I realize how fortunate I am to have such open minded neighbors who see the benefits of having wildlife and pets. Education makes all the difference.
Farrel and Strays come from somewhere. Maybe the humans who have them then don’t care for them should be the ones you go after not the cats. They did not put themselves out on the streets, it started with selfish irresponsible humans. I am a true animal lover. And I stand for the animals, inside and out.
Winner, Winner! Chicken dinner or should I say kitten sinner goes viral! I’m with the round up/trap and spay crowd. Release back into the environment. Cats are actually very clean, and I seriously doubt they are the most destructive animal on the block. Racoons and squirrels are the most likely culprits and good luck with diminishing their population. Let the cats regulate that for you. And as for Will (Ferrell’s) take on the new spelling of feral, the mayor should take a little time to double check his words. It only takes won word to send the whole message off track.
And speaking of off track…big shout out to my good buddies, Ray, Blue and Sea for getting all dogmatic on this site. (see what I did there?) So big an itch they got cat scratch fever for a political argument on a feral cat blog. Must be because Agent Orange is out on the lam, hanging with his new pal, Kim Jong Un and they’re all lonely and feeling forsaken. Aww…hug a cat, I say. You’ll get better with time.
Chas, it’s called a sense of humor.
They’re nice, you should get one.
I feel fairly certain that cats would rather have a safe and warm home to call their own rather than be living on the streets looking for scraps of food, hoping that no one harms them. Unfortunately, due to irresponsible humans who fail to spay/neuter, their pets, these kitties get impregnated and are then dumped along with their vulnerable, defenseless kittens. And then the cycle begins all over again.
Without the loving efforts of us cat lovers, these unfortunate cats would have no chance to feel tenderness and compassion. We are called MANKIND for a reason…… together we can demonstrate our compassionate and unselfish spirit towards God’s creatures.
I agree with all the cat lovers in these emails! Have you ever petted a Cat? What a wonderful feeling! They are beautiful creatures and no one should be chasing them out of a neighborhood. Every town in the US has cat populations. Take some responsibility and practice TNT and the cats will be much better for it! We have a cat colony of 5 cats that we feed and they are enjoying the feeling of human kindness. We worry when they don’t come for their meals and go look for them when they are not there. DON’T PICK ON THE CATS! CATS FOREVER!
I believe that dogs and cats should be treated equally. All cats must be licensed and kept in your house. A cat can be walked on a leash. There is absolutely no excuse for a cat that is a pet to be let out to roam freely. I have a few neighbors that do just that. Heavy fines should be levied on anyone who throws away a pet. Anyone who mistreats an animal is not to be trusted and are not compassionate human beings.
Actually, feral cats aren’t wild, they’re domestic, who happened to turn feral. And they kill large populations of actual wildlife while being let roam out of control, and spread disease.
For those who are saying they want to hug and care for a feral, they’d want to claw your eyes out if you got too close. If they were bigger they’d want to eat you. Strays can be adopted and put in a home, but ferals cannot. So it’d be most resolute to trap as many as we can – save the adoptable ones, and put the ferals in a sanctuary to save wildlife. If the situation is that dire, some states and city ordinances have lax rules in place in killing ferals, so it’s be best to look into your local animal laws and trapping and neutering services. And please, if you have a pet cat, don’t let it outside, and if you do, please monitor it. A domestic pet shouldn’t be let out to kill wildlife like birds and rabbits.
Hell, look how foxes are treated on The Shore. I know of a family of foxes that had gas/kerosene poured down in their den, which they had dug in the spoils left by digging an irrigation pond, and then ignited. It seems the adjacent land owner did not want them to hurt the goslings that had been born. This happened between Marionville and Birdsnest on the Seaside road. I had just watched the little foxes playing in the sand the day before.
That’s unbelievably awful. Foxes are wild animals, doing what nature does. It’s sad, but it’s reality. But out of all methods, he chose to burn them out… I wouldn’t even do that to my worst enemy. He should be charged with felony animal cruelty.
Looks like the mayor needs to have a lesson in humanity. Anyone that treats am animal with cruelty can only be considered a heartless soul and does not know how to treat humans.
I bet he never told his wife he burned up those baby foxes.
Again, just to lighten things up. I mean no offense. I love cats.
But you said, “Monitor your cats when they’re outside”
?????
Monitor your dog?
Sure, but cats, I don’t think so.
I have cats and honestly, the sneaky little bastards ain’t much into monitoring. In fact, isn’t that their calling?
Like Congress.
( See what I did there, Chas)
Actually, coyotes find cats a tasty meal and they don’t mind a foo-foo dog, either, so in the wild, the cat is not on the top of the food chain by any means.
The mayor’s poorly-worded and poorly-spelled comment on Cape Charles’ feral cats tells me that this town is STILL not ready for prime time and may never be. Before issuing such a comment, which proposed no meaningful solution, he could have studied what successful resorts and urban and suburban communities have done which, as noted above by several persons, is trap, neuter, release, and feed. Neutered colonies of cats DO discourage other ferals from joining their communities and, of course, their numbers remain controlled. I’ve never been to Key West, Fla, but I have acquaintances who have; all have told me how well the town manages its feral cat population by TNR. Apparently, rather than being a nuisance, the ferals have become quite an attraction. Read a bit, Mr. Dize, and, if you don’t have spell-check, have a literate person review your messages before sending them.
This is a human caused issue and should be fixed by humans. Meaning TRAP, NEUTER, RETURN. Then the humans who understand that to be human is to be humane can continue to care for these little lost forgotten souls. Killing them is not the answer and any who think it is should be ashamed of themselves and reevaluate their own humanity.
You are so right about this being a humane situation. It can be solved with time So easily. TNR is such a reasonable and caring way to help the feral cats.
No one has the right to kill an animal that only wants food, affection and kindness. The mayor of your city needs to wake up. The people who are causing this predicament need to acquire some knowledge.
Good luck on the situation.
The mayor should put together a task force with pay and with control over the feral cats. They can help and have the cats fixed and released. It will take sometime. It will work.
Any suggestions to keep them out of our boat stored in town! Yes they are a nuisance. Ever since the feeding area has been removed on Madison, across from the school they have been getting into my boat. The cats are making a mess that I never had to deal with before. I have watched the cats enter the boat…not a racoon! I have tried liquid soap and chicken wire to keep them out from under the boat cover but they keep getting in. I haven’t removed the cover in a few weeks but looking under it they have made a muddy mess. I just hope my vinyl is still intact. They should be controlled!
Okay, to get rid of the feral cat problem, just get some cobras.
To take care of the cobras, get some mongooses.
Once the mongooses get out of control, bring in the honey badgers.
But remember, honey badger don’t care.
You are SICK
You are a Liberal Demo rat.
Bite Me
Lacking a sense of humor, and civility.
Yep, a liberal through and through.
Ok..is this a joke? Is this for feral cats or against. A little confused. If it was towards the mayor. Terrific.
If not, do your research.
You are lacking a sense of humor.
Um, do you REALLY think I was suggesting actually importing cobras? Seriously?
What happened to Americans. We used to not be so gullible and dense.
https://abcbirds.org/threat/cats-and-other-invasives/
Here is a good read for all the cat lovers.
WE HAVE ALREADY OFFERED ALL OF YOU A SOLUTION THAT SOLVES ALL THE CAT HATER PROBLEMS-TNSANCTUARY! REALLY-it is hard to be proud to be a “human” when people keep trying to sell this lie that all the destruction to the wildlife,birds etc. is from these poor little kitty cats and NOT FROM THE HUMAN WRECKINGBALL PROSPERITY. I mean is it even possible to believe such a lie and still say you have intelligence??? Like all problems in America that don’t get solved correctly it’s because of corruption,political greed or hate, and just plumb dumb people being in charge of the solution. If any of you want to SEE the solution to all these cat problems all you have to do is try YOUTUBE-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s__um_xMJc4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69QHQpFyPxo&t=1s
People are very ignorant when they have no knowledge. Then there are just mean people.
There are plants people can put outside to keep the kitties away. TNR is the best. It is humane and actually helps keep rodents out of area. Cats are wanting love. Humans are to blame for not fixing them and then dumping them. Fools.