City leaders to discuss "trap and remove" animal control policy at council meeting tonight

BETHESDA, Md., Jan. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Alley Cat Allies, the only national advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of cats, today called on city leaders in Canton, Ohio to suspend the city's current animal control contract and consider new humane approaches to managing the population of feral and stray cats.

"Under Canton's animal control policy, the city spends about $27,000 of taxpayer funds per year for a contractor to capture animals—including cats and kittens—and deliver them to the Stark County Humane Society.  Although the Humane Society does not keep records, we know from the contractor's records that last year, 399 cats and kittens were captured, and we can assume that most or all of the cats were then killed," said Becky Robinson, co-founder and president of Alley Cat Allies.

Robinson noted that nationally, more than 70 percent of cats who enter animal pounds and shelters are killed there, and for outdoor cats who are not socialized to people and can't be adopted, being taken to an animal shelter is almost always a death sentence. 

"Being killed in an animal shelter is the leading documented cause of death for cats in the U.S.," said Robinson.  "This endlessly cruel cycle is not effective and extremely expensive.  Citizens do not support this killing, and instead want compassionate and common sense programs for animals that respect their lives."

At a meeting tonight, the Canton City Council is expected to discuss renewal of the animal control contract.  Alley Cat Allies will deliver written testimony asking the city council to suspend the contract and consider alternative and humane programs for cats, including accessible and affordable spay/neuter. As national experts, Alley Cat Allies is available to advise on best approaches.

"We believe the community would benefit far greater by using taxpayer funds to provide spay and neuter over endless killing," said Robinson.  "Data shows that simply trapping and removing cats does not reduce the population—but sterilization can."

About Alley Cat Allies
Alley Cat Allies is the only national advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of cats.  Founded in 1990, today Alley Cat Allies has more than 260,000 supporters and helps tens of thousands of individuals, communities, and organizations save and improve the lives cats and kittens nationwide.  Their web site is www.alleycat.org.

Available Topic Expert: For information on the listed expert, click appropriate link.
Becky Robinson
http://www.profnetconnect.com/becky_robinson

SOURCE Alley Cat Allies

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http://www.alleycat.org