Denyce
09-25-2003, 02:36 PM
I am neither for nor against this. I just thought some might be interested in reading this new proposal and having a discussion about it. There is always more than one side to any issue.
ACTION ALERT! SUPPORT PENNSYLVANIA S PROPOSED RULE PROHIBITING RELEASE OF DOMESTIC CATS!
The domestic cat is not native to the United States, yet millions of pet, stray and feral cats roam the country, killing native songbirds and small mammals, and transmitting diseases and parasites such as rabies, toxoplasmosis, and cat-scratch fever to wildlife and humans. The state of Pennsylvania is attempting to address this problem but is facing opposition from well-meaning but misguided people. Pennsylvania needs your help to push through a proposed rule prohibiting the release of domestic cats into the wild. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A RESIDENT OF PENNSYLVANIA TO SUPPORT THIS IMPORTANT NEW PROPOSAL.
Some people feed stray and feral cats in so-called "managed" colonies, mistakenly believing they are helping the cats. Called Trap/Neuter/Release or TNR, the cats are trapped, spayed or neutered, and then released back at the trap site, often within important wildlife habitat. Volunteers continue to feed the cats for as long as they stay in the colony, which could be a day, a month, or even years.
American Bird Conservancy (ABC), and many other conservation and animal welfare groups, strongly oppose TNR for many reasons, including the fact that cats in colonies, even if well-fed, still kill birds and other wildlife. Not all of the cats can be trapped, the cat food attracts more cats, and the colonies often become dumping grounds for unwanted pets. Thus, cat colonies are not eliminated, but perpetuated. Cats in colonies still face all the hazards of living outdoors, including disease, getting hit by cars, and attacks from other animals. TNR is not humane, and may be illegal under wildlife and animal welfare laws.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) has proposed a Rule to make the release of domestic dogs or cats into the wild unlawful. The text of the Rule amending 58 PA. Code CH. 137 can be found at: http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol33/33_38/1838.html . Unfortunately, this proposed rule is under strong attack by TNR advocates.
EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT A PA RESIDENT, please send an email in support of this Proposed Rule to: [email protected], or by mail to: Director, Information and Education, Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797 by October 3. The PGC will hold a public hearing on October 6 starting at 8:30 at 2001 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA. If you can attend, please sign in and you will have 5 minutes to speak.
If the PGC adopts this Rule, release of domestic cats and dogs into the wild would be legal. It would also serve as a model for other state wildlife agencies to follow when dealing with the tremendous toll that domestic cats have on wildlife across the country. For more information on the many problems with TNR, click on the Managed Cat Colonies button at www.abcbirds.org/cats. Thank you for your support.
Linda Winter, Director
Cats Indoors!
American Bird Conservancy
1834 Jefferson Place, NW
Washington, DC 20036
(p) 202-452-1535, ext 201
(f) 202-452-1534
[email protected]
www.abcbirds.org/cats
ACTION ALERT! SUPPORT PENNSYLVANIA S PROPOSED RULE PROHIBITING RELEASE OF DOMESTIC CATS!
The domestic cat is not native to the United States, yet millions of pet, stray and feral cats roam the country, killing native songbirds and small mammals, and transmitting diseases and parasites such as rabies, toxoplasmosis, and cat-scratch fever to wildlife and humans. The state of Pennsylvania is attempting to address this problem but is facing opposition from well-meaning but misguided people. Pennsylvania needs your help to push through a proposed rule prohibiting the release of domestic cats into the wild. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A RESIDENT OF PENNSYLVANIA TO SUPPORT THIS IMPORTANT NEW PROPOSAL.
Some people feed stray and feral cats in so-called "managed" colonies, mistakenly believing they are helping the cats. Called Trap/Neuter/Release or TNR, the cats are trapped, spayed or neutered, and then released back at the trap site, often within important wildlife habitat. Volunteers continue to feed the cats for as long as they stay in the colony, which could be a day, a month, or even years.
American Bird Conservancy (ABC), and many other conservation and animal welfare groups, strongly oppose TNR for many reasons, including the fact that cats in colonies, even if well-fed, still kill birds and other wildlife. Not all of the cats can be trapped, the cat food attracts more cats, and the colonies often become dumping grounds for unwanted pets. Thus, cat colonies are not eliminated, but perpetuated. Cats in colonies still face all the hazards of living outdoors, including disease, getting hit by cars, and attacks from other animals. TNR is not humane, and may be illegal under wildlife and animal welfare laws.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) has proposed a Rule to make the release of domestic dogs or cats into the wild unlawful. The text of the Rule amending 58 PA. Code CH. 137 can be found at: http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol33/33_38/1838.html . Unfortunately, this proposed rule is under strong attack by TNR advocates.
EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT A PA RESIDENT, please send an email in support of this Proposed Rule to: [email protected], or by mail to: Director, Information and Education, Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797 by October 3. The PGC will hold a public hearing on October 6 starting at 8:30 at 2001 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA. If you can attend, please sign in and you will have 5 minutes to speak.
If the PGC adopts this Rule, release of domestic cats and dogs into the wild would be legal. It would also serve as a model for other state wildlife agencies to follow when dealing with the tremendous toll that domestic cats have on wildlife across the country. For more information on the many problems with TNR, click on the Managed Cat Colonies button at www.abcbirds.org/cats. Thank you for your support.
Linda Winter, Director
Cats Indoors!
American Bird Conservancy
1834 Jefferson Place, NW
Washington, DC 20036
(p) 202-452-1535, ext 201
(f) 202-452-1534
[email protected]
www.abcbirds.org/cats