Following a request from Muskoka Animal Rescue (MAR), councillors have agreed to support a program to help control the feral cat population in the Huntsville area.
At the June 30 general committee meeting, MAR representatives Sue Hummel and Barb Quinn told councillors that the volunteer-run organization relies on donations and adoption fees to provide its services, and that the Feral Cat Project is its biggest expense.
Feral cats are not strays. Because they have not been socialized to humans, they are unlikely to become suitable pets unless they are younger than eight weeks old. The most humane way to prevent the feral cat population from exploding is to ensure that they cannot reproduce.
Through the project, feral cats are trapped and then neutered or spayed. Adult cats are either returned to the area where they were found or are placed as working cats in barns, garages or workshops. Kittens that are young enough to be socialized may be placed for adoption.
In the first five months of 2021, MAR has trapped, neutered, and released (TNR) eleven adult cats and were able to socialize six kittens for adoption. They are also housing two cats that are expecting kittens, which will be spayed and released once those kittens are weaned.
“We know there are more cats in the area as well as other colonies,” they said in a letter to committee. Hummel noted that the OSPCA doesn’t have a trapping program and generally refers any calls it receives in this area regarding feral cats to MAR.
When MAR rescues a feral cat, it pays the cost of spay or neuter ($75) and a three‐year rabies vaccination ($25). MAR also provides transportation to and from the OSPCA clinic in Barrie and houses and feeds the cats both pre‐ and post‐surgery. It generally also pays other costs if the cats have injuries.
Committee heard that the Town of Bracebridge has agreed to support MAR’s Feral Cat Project in their area with $2,000 in annual funding.
Mayor Karin Terziano said the Feral Cat Project is a “wonderful program” and noted that Huntsville no longer has an animal shelter. The municipality does have a budget and bylaw to address dog control.
Deputy Mayor Nancy Alcock added that MAR is providing a “fantastic service. It is needed.”
Councillor Brian Thompson noted the damage that can be caused by feral cats and expressed hope that the project would be expanded to deal with more feral cats as a result of support from the municipality. “We know the kind of damage they will do to wildlife, to our bird population and our pollinators.”
Councillor Jonathan Wiebe said that there are examples of communities where feral cat populations have gotten out of hand. “It’s not a problem until it’s a problem and you’ve got cats running everywhere, and then it’s a tough one to deal with.” He said he looked forward to future reports from the organization on its efforts.
Councillors voted in favour of providing $2,000 per year to MAR in support of the Feral Cat Project.
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Thank you, Muskoka Animal Rescue and Town Council, for this humane solution. It has reminded me to send a donation to MAR.
Our Florida community had a close to out-of-control feral cat situation that was on target to reach the thousands if action wasn’t taken.
A volunteer group formed and after a number of years of trap, spay/neuter and release, the colony number is well under 100 despite local folks dropping off pregnant, unwanted cats outside the gates.
The impetus for it was finding out that 17,501 of the 19,038 cats taken into the county over a number of years were humanely destroyed. This program is a far better solution.
This is absolutely amazing news. Thank you Town of Huntsville for supporting this program and thank you Muskoka Animal Rescue for all you do caring for and rehoming cats and dogs.
For $2000.00 you could provide 200 hot meals for those in need in Huntsville next winter. Michael O’Mara
It’s encouraging to see Huntsville’s elected officials supporting TNR. Done right, these programs can be very effective at reducing community cat populations—a vast improvement over the “traditional” method, which often meant a one-way trip to the local shelter.
https://www.felineresearch.org/post/issue-brief-what-to-do-with-feral-cats-examining-tnr