Explanations
Today I sat in on a Cats Alive! meeting at the Winnipeg Humane Society. This is nothing new, I have been attending these meetings since last fall. At today’s meeting, WHS Executive Director, Bill McDonald spent some time explaining the changes to the WHS trap/neuter/return program.
According to Mr. McDonald, the changes are not as drastic as the wording on the WHS website makes them appear. He suggested that some wording was too strong, and could be changed. The items addressed are as follows:
- Minimum $20 donation for each cat: McDonald stated that feral cat caregivers will be asked for a donation, but that it will be voluntary.
- The new program deals only cats that are “not socialized to human contact, cannot be handled and must be trapped”; not friendly strays or ‘neighbourhood cats’: according to McDonald, touchable ferals are eligible for the program.
- Friendly cats will become the responsibility of the WHS: McDonald suggested that this wording could be changed to may become. According to him, the caregiver who brought the cat in will be contacted and offered the option of reclaiming the cat or relinquishing it to the WHS.
- “All cats are tattooed at the time of surgery; the tattoo will register to the Feral Cat Guardian who has registered with the TNR program. The Guardian will assume all responsibility for the cat, including medical treatment, and fines acquired if the cat is trapped by the City of Winnipeg in the future.” McDonald suggested that this is a matter to be brought up with the City, as the current animal bylaws identify anyone who feeds or cares for a cat as its owner.
If the program is as explained by Mr. McDonald, it is much different than the program described on the WHS website. It is my experience that policies described by senior staff and executives of the WHS are not the same as those carried out by clinic staff. It is my sincere hope that the TNR program is actually as explained by McDonald. Time will tell.
Stumble It!
Tags: TNR, Winnipeg Humane Society
June 22nd, 2009 at 2:42 pm
I am glad to hear things are easing up for you at least for the moment and I am also very happy to read the outcome of the “cats alive” meeting. It sure sounds better than the way they were wording it on the website. I hope it is true. You may remember I phoned you about three weeks ago. I am still interested in starting something on a smaller scale in my own neighbourhood. Smaller scale for two reasons. 1. I’m sure I wouldn’t be able to handle a big operation like you have going there. 2. I still can’t seem to find any unowned stray or feral cats in my neighbourhood. Very strange, as I told you I do not live in a middle or high class neighbourhood. Thought I had found one but turns out he is also an indoor/outdoor cat who is taken care of reasonably well by his owner and not abused in any way. I’m sure if I am meant to do something like this they will come. It is still some time before the cold weather sets in when our outdoor friends really begin to suffer.
You are doing a fantastic job and I greatly admire you for what you do. I’ll keep watching your website for updates. Take care.
Colleen