New policy on cats should be reviewed
New policy on cats should be reviewed
This is insane. Last night I trapped a male feral cat that was fighting my cats and spraying my house nightly. I was quite pleased I caught him, as the vet bills add up. I took him to the humane society first thing this morning — and was told that it now costs $90 to turn in a stray. Or, I could make an appointment and get him neutered. That would have been cheaper — had I wanted to wait the month and a half as they are booked solid until then. I should keep a dangerous cat that long to neuter him and then have no place where he would be welcome? The options were heartbreaking. I couldn’t just dump this cat somewhere — that’s a terrible thing to do, making him someone else’s problem.
So I had no choice, paid the $90. Not fun on a Social Security income. Now, how many people do you think will pay that when they unwittingly bring a stray in? It was mentioned that more than once — a lot more — people have just walked out and turned the cat(s) loose in the KHS parking lot! And if not there, then they will find somewhere else to dump them, adding to the already critical feral cat problem we have here on the island!
I always assumed the humane society would do everything in its power to slow the spread of feral cats, which is an epidemic on Kauai. But this is just crazy! Without a safe place to take unwanted cats, these cats are now going to be wandering neighborhoods, desperately looking for food, fighting with other cats and spreading diseases, and increasing the danger to native birds.
This new policy must be readdressed! I just can’t imagine what they were thinking implementing this policy. I don’t think anyone thought this through, but it’s a total disaster in the making. Please make it known that this policy is dangerous and inhumane.
Susan Straight, Waimea
• Editor’s note: KHS Executive Director Mirah Horowitz said the $90 fee is to hold and euthanize a feral cat. It still accepts stray animals.
