Stray Cats Are Not the Enemy: Sabina’s Chance to Choose TNR Over Tragedy
Stray cats. Community cats. Problem cats. Neighborhood nuisances. However you refer to them, they exist almost everywhere. In some places they are more prevalent than others: one such place Sabina, Ohio.
A citizen has reached out with concern and upset about the approach and handling of not only the stray cat population in their town, but the known killing of cats by someone using poison in their food source. Frustrated not only with the city’s response but recognizing the domino effect this could have not only on other wildlife but local children as well if any of the poisoned cats interacted with other critters.
Taking quotes and posts of outcries and concern from their local Facebook group the conversation expanded. Many citizens acknowledge that although the cats are nuisances and owners should be more responsible for their personal cats, it is inhumane and cruel to poison them. Multiple individuals noting that it was a stray cat impacted by the poison but their personal indoor/outdoor cat. Even describing how they watched their neighbor’s cat exhibit symptoms and slowly died in view from their porch. Another individual worried that their cat had not been home in days, another expressing that their family had experienced the loss of a family member and was devastated to share the loss of their family pet with their young children.
One user was clearly not happy with the population of stray cats, especially the ones who dig up their yard, go through their trash and defecate in their yard. Even this individual can be quoted as saying “Whoever is harming them, is a bad person. There are other humane ways to fix the problem” and goes on to mention spay/neuter primarily as a solution.
Another user indicated that the culprit behind the poisoning lives behind the local Dollar General, but with the law there are very fine and tricky lines to pursue information especially within the animal realm.
Stray cats are only trying to survive. Owned cats venturing outside are just trying to enrich their day. An animal only operates on instinct and survival. The cats being impacted in Sabina, Ohio are not only street cats. There are owned pets being impacted. Since poison is being used, there is a chance other wildlife is coming into contact with said poison including any predator animals who come into contact with one of the cats who digested the poison. Children are also susceptible as young kids are curious and may touch the contaminated food or even the cat.
With nearsighted solutions, the city council is proposing a feeding ban. This will only leave the cats confused, left to wander, break into food sources, or if they do leave it will allow other nuisance animals such as rats, mice, and small rodents to populate.
Often viewed as a bleeding heart concern, Sabina shows it is far from that. The posts that indicated disdain for the cats clearly expressed disapproval for the inhumane handling of them. With so many helpful hands in Sabina reporting missing pets and feeding community cats: it’s fair to presume that a humane tactic of TNR would be welcomed and utilized with open arms. This is where your voice comes into play - utilize OAA's Community Cats: A Guide for Busy Ohio Municipal Leaders and approach your local policymakers with win/win solutions for the community and community cats. This guide is an excellent resource for advocates to use when working with local policymakers to pass ordinances on community cat management, feeding, and trap/neuter/return. Contact OAA if you need help in your Ohio community working with your city council.
