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| >> NEWS > Humane
Society Collaborative TNR Proposal |
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Humane Society Collaborative TNR Proposal
Morgan County has a feral/stray cat over-population problem that
continues to get worse by the day. This problem is evidenced by
the number of calls received at both county and private animal
welfare facilities. The County Animal Control Officer has unofficially
reported that fully 60% of the calls are cat related and our Humane
Society Spay/Neuter Coordinator receives calls from many citizens
on a daily basis requesting spay/neuter help with stray cats and
assistance in trapping varying numbers of feral cats on their property.
We know that this problem is going to get worse if some new and
corrected course of action is not taken.
The overwhelming success of programs implemented across the United
States clearly shows that Spay Neuter and Trap, Neuter & Return
(TNR) programs work, and work well, in reducing the feral and stray
cat population. I know we have all heard the staggering statistics
concerning the exponential increase in the numbers of cats produced
by one unspayed female. The number of stray and feral cats in Morgan
County undoubtedly number in the thousands and may even rival the
human population.
We are proposing a collaborative effort between Morgan County government
and the Humane Society to address this problem to the benefit of
residents of Morgan County. Specifically, we will initially commit
yearly funding in the amount of $2,500 and we ask that the County
Commission appropriate $5,000 to an initial trial effort at reducing
the number of stray and feral cats in the county. The Humane Society
will administer the program, trap and transport the cats to the
various veterinarians, and will return the cats to their previous
locations. All government money will be used directly to support
only this program. The Humane Society will leverage this initial
joint fund by seeking grants from the United Way of the Eastern
Panhandle and other charitable foundations involved with animal
welfare issues, such as the Bosack, Kruger Foundation, Alley Cat
Allies, Petsmart Charities and others. The current charitable giving
climate encourages and recognizes successful collaborative efforts
between local private organizations and government to achieve significant
community impact. We believe that this proposal holds the opportunity
for significant positive outcomes for the community and we ask
that you favorably consider and approve this proposal for the benefit
of the citizens of Morgan County.
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