Even with the green light to perform trap, neuter and release with local feral cats, advocates say the city still needs to more to ensure to initiative is successful in curbing feral populations.--NEWS PHOTO ANNA SMITH
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
A year ago several local news stories developed about the push for a trap, neuter and release program after animal advocates raised concerns to city council of growing feral cat populations within city limits.
In late August 2023 city council unanimously approved a bylaw that would allow a humane society to sweep city areas with large feral cat populations, spay or neuter them and release the cats back into the community.
Despite some progress being made to address the growing feral cat population a year later, animal advocate Linda Tooth says a combination of two factors have led to very few local feral cats undergoing a TNR program.
Tooth explains animal advocates who are spearheading a TNR program are still receiving push-back from some city departments.
“It’s been a struggle but we are seeing some progress and we are there to help the pet population,” says Tooth, who told the News she was able to express her concerns to members of council recently.
“We can do one clinic, but that’s not going to solve the problem,” explains Tooth. “We have to do multiple clinics a year to bring the numbers down.”
Tooth explains female ferals can reproduce three times a year and can give birth to more than 100 kittens in their lifetime.
“If people would just be responsible and spay and neuter their pets, this problem could be less than what it is, but it’s a huge problem.”
And that huge problem, says Tooth, is only going to continue to grow every year unless more TNR programs are introduced in the region.
Another challenge local animal welfare advocates are facing is the overwhelming demand of needed spay and neuter surgeries performed by Alberta’s division of the Canadian Animal Task Force this year.
The task force from Calgary has been too busy to travel to Medicine Hat this year, however Tooth says they remain in contact and work to schedule an upcoming clinic is ongoing.
“We have been in contact with them and I would love to secure a date with them. Maybe it’ll be in the fall or spring because fall and spring seem to be a busy time for kittens.
“Rest assured we are looking at the well-being of these cats and we really would just like the city to be a little bit more forthcoming,” says Tooth.
