This Opinion is special to the Mirror by Trapper Dan.
Aw, come on, give the Mayor a break. He knows that there is a problem because he is getting complaints. The problem is knowing what to do about feral cats. He should have gotten some advice before he said what he did.
Consider a middle ground. There are gardeners who don’t like what happens in their gardens or under their window late at night. Their cats are licensed, shots up to date, tagged, and not allowed to roam.
There are others who see themselves as on a divine mission to protect the cats and their way of life by feeding. They will happily boil huge amounts of chicken necks for them. They seek vengeance on anyone they perceive as interfering in their pursuit. They will vandalize your car, your boat, and throw rocks through your windows (remember Violent Viola?). Like feral cats, they are a breed apart. The cats are here, it is not possible for them not to be, but the problem can be mitigated. The middle ground is something called population dynamics. If enough breeders don’t breed, the numbers will go down in time.
This requires a low-key, sustained, and broadly applied cooperative effort.
Live trapping is legal on private property. Companion animals must be turned over to County Animal Control, Ask them to pick up and return the trap. Do not transport and release the animal elsewhere. Low-key suggests one trap hidden, such as as under a porch, out of sight, where it wont be rained on. Cats will find it. Chain it to something immovable. The best bait is a small amount of dry cat food in a small dish covered with a mesh so it can be reused. Do not try ry to remove the animal from the trap.
The more neighbors participating, the better. In time, a sustained and patient effort will show results.
About the Author
You think that giving the animal to animal control is the best answer? You call that middle ground? What do you think happens to those animals? Have you ever been to the facility that houses these animals and asked what becomes of them and when? I realize that animal control provides a function. I believe that Animal Control should be used ONLY when there is no other answer for animals that are a danger to others. Animal control should never be used for animals that are simply an inconvenience to some. Maybe if they were renamed to Animal Extermination people would get the picture. I believe that trap, spay, and release is the most humane answer. That activity takes a village. Kudos to the ones who are trying.
Thank you Carla! This is NOT a middle ground answer and is a DEATH SENTENCE for them. Is life so bad here in Cape Charles that people need to make a big rumble about cats? Maybe their attention would be better focused on other issues like trash clean up on the beach? All I have to say is this is a perfect example of first world problems.
I thought the town was supposed to be catching & spaying the cats anyway. Hence, once done, the left (I believe) ear was to be clipped to let humans know they couldn’t produce more cats! This was back when the trailers were by the school and cats congregated under the huge tree that was there. If people have a problem with the cats & want to trap them & hand them over to animal control to be killed, how about we start trapping people, handing them over to whomever to be killed. No cat is gonna be adopted with animal control (Spca/animal shelter). They are already overrun with animals.
The people who are upset over feral cats in their gardens…if you are a gardener you would know there are plants, shrubs you can plant that cats will not go by. Research people instead of hitching. Feral cats are because of dumb people who just dump them. So take responsibility, do your research. Wake up and get a team together to help trap and fix and return. TNR
GOOGLE WHAT PLANTS AND SHRUBS. So easy.
Feral cats and dogs are a nuisance and a health hazard to people and pets. It’s illegal to feed them. They should be trapped and turned over to animal control.
It’s Not illegal to feed animals Anywhere. But it is illegal to dump them, harm them or kill them. It’s illegal to starve them in fact! VA is the latest state to adopt felony charges for animal abuse and cruelty… Just in time!
Simple solution, all the concerned cat lovers take ownership of the cats T&N until a home can be found or permanently. There could be a sign up sheet in the town office for all who want to participate .
I agree that trap, spay and release is the most humane approach to this problem. And it is a problem. Once all of the feral cats are spayed, then they should be grandfathered in and allowed to roam free. NO MORE CATS should be added to the pack. Eventually, all of the feral cats will be gone and the only ones left are those who are owned by responsible owners who, preferably, keep them inside where they won’t cause problems for the neighbors and wildlife (such as birds!). Just like there is a regulation restricting the number of dogs a family can have, there should be a regulation to restrict the number of cats. Get them licensed – again, just like dogs.
What is the point/goal of cat licensing?
Do you understand how cat behavior and dynamics work?
Do you know what the vacuum effect is?
Where do you recommend the money to implement your plan come from?
Are you aware the “impact on wildlife” numbers regarding cats were VASTLY manipulated and overstated by biased groups that wanted cats eradicated?
Could you point me to research regarding fatal or disabling attacks by cats, as there are for dogs?
What a ridiculous opinion piece. This clown knows nothing about how to trap cats. People need to be responsible and have their cats sterilized. Taking cats to animal control to be euthanized will only create a vacuum effect, more cats will move in the vacated space. Maybe the ESVA should enter the 21st century and start a effort to TNR and offer low cost spay/neuter clinics. Education, not eradication.
FYI
the Neuter Scooter from Virginia
Beach comes over once a month. the charge is 71$ plus 10$ for a rabies shot.
Call Eastern Shore
SPCA or see their website for more.
Who is “Trapper Dan?” If you’re going to post such an ill-informed “opinion piece” (no trapper worth their salt or with ANY experience thinks dry food works as bait) we deserve to know who actually wrote it.
Because at this point it appears “Trapper Dan” may in fact be Wayne Creed’s very own John Barron. And if that’s the case, we deserve an explanation for the subterfuge.
Note: No intentional subterfuge, but glad you asked. The Mirror, while we much prefer people to be up front like Paul Plante, and use their real names, we made the decision to allow folks to post comments and sometimes articles under pseudonyms. This is a small town. To be sure, Trapper John is an actual person.
Deserve? My grandfather use to tell people that felt they ‘deserved’ something, that they better hope they do not get what they ‘deserve’.