Volunteers from Medicine Hat's SPCA have been taking food and water to a local feral cat colony twice daily for upwards of 10 years. They also administer medicine to sick or injured cats, if able, and try to construct shelters for the cats to improve their quality of life. - SUBMITTED PHOTO
kking@medicinehatnews.com@kkingmhn
Medicine Hat animal advocates continue their push for introduction of a feline trap-fix-release (TNR) program with a new public petition that’s already gaining traction in the community.
Following city council’s decision earlier this week to return proposed Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw amendments to committee for additional consideration, Hatter and Animal Food Bank founder Nicole Frey launched a virtual petition in support of TNR.
“There’s ample evidence of the benefits of a TNR program, but the city won’t allow it,” Frey told the News. “The community is supportive and they want to see the city and council take action. So, hopefully (this petition) gives the city a push.”
The petition was posted Wednesday evening, and as of Friday evening, more than 600 Hatters had signed it.
Frey says as well as highlighting support for the amendment among community members, she hopes the petition will draw attention to the city’s ever-worsening issue with feral cat overpopulation.
“I think the cats need a voice,” Frey said, explaining that her organization works closely with the Medicine Hat SPCA, which has been working to provide food and shelter for feral cat colonies in the city for more than a decade.
SPCA board vice president Linda Tooth has been one of the most outspoken advocates of bylaw amendments to allow for a local TNR program.
Tooth told the News on Tuesday she was disappointed with council’s decision to reject the proposed bylaw amendment; she also urged council to hasten its response to the city’s feral cat overpopulation issue, as inaction only worsens the outcomes for the cats and the community as a whole.
However, action was not taken soon enough to prevent the deaths of several newborn kittens belonging to one of the feral cat colonies SCPA volunteers regularly monitor and assist.
In a video posted to social media, Tooth explained when she visited the colony Wednesday evening, she found three kittens alone, laying in gravel and soaking wet after Wednesday’s torrential rain and hail storm. Partially drowned and with the mother nowhere in sight, Tooth said the kittens’ chances of survival were very little. Tooth confirmed to the News on Friday all three kittens had passed away shortly after she discovered them.
“I’m quite angry at the City of Medicine Hat’s council for their unwillingness to move forward with this TNR program,” said Tooth in the video. “We have a problem in Medicine Hat (and) we need a TNR. This is so cruel. Medicine Hat city council, you need to get it together.”
In discussion with the News, Tooth, as well as Frey, say they don’t understand why several councillors raised concerns over the ethics of a TNR program during Monday’s meeting, but do not appear to be concerned about the frequent loss of life occurring within the city’s feral cat colonies; to which there is no current solution, as feral populations are ever-growing.
The pair plans to continue advocating for the cats and pushing council for a decision until one is made, and they invite community members to support their efforts by signing the petition at change.org/p/city-of-medicine-hat-allow-tnr-trap-and-release-programs.
They also invite Hatters to show support through donations to local animal welfare and advocacy organizations.
