On March 1, 2008 a small town's Mayor in the tip of Southwestern Iowa, as a last resort, placed a $5.00 bounty on any stray cat caught and brought to him. The city would allow ample time for the cat to be claimed by an owner before it was properly euthanized.
The story hit the news and animal rights activists came from everywhere to defend the lives of these cats. Rescues, shelters, sanctuaries, local residents, were outraged at the mayor's insensitive decision to "kill cats". Something had to be done.
Several organizations contacted mayor Vance Trively, including Best Friends Animal Society, Alley Cat Allies , Feline Friendz and RVAS, to name a few, asking Mayor Vance Trively to consider a TNR program instead of a bounty and euthanasia, which won't solve the problem. But it was Best Friends Animal Society's Shelly Kotter and our very own Executive Director, Joe Pundzak, that sealed the deal with the mayor by talking face-to-face and by listening to the "real" problem they were having.
"It no longer mattered HOW they got in this situation," said Joe Pundzak. "The important thing was to get the problem under control, humanely. Mayor Trively was not interested in killing cats, but didn't know other options were available."
Best Friends Animal Society agreed to be project leader partnering with RVAS and Feline Friendz and several other animal welfare organizations (see below) to provide one month of setting up an effecient TNR program, and teaching the residents of Randolph, how to keep control so that they are not faced with this problem in the future.
"An important factor to keep in mind here, is that an entire community is taking charge in a positive way, for the betterment of their town and the animals they share it with," says Linda R. Blakely, Director. "This is a very big step in the right direction for Iowa, and we hope to continue working with these groups in the future to help ALL communities learn, develop and put into place humane animal solutions."
The overall project, when complete, will run these organizations a combined total of about $10,000. Each organization is collecting funding for their participation. Please consider supporting their efforts as they are investing their time, money and volunteers to make this project happen. Click on the link to donate.
Raccoon Valley Animal Sanctuary & Rescue
Best Friends Animal Society
Feline Friendz
Hearts United for Animals
Animal Protection and Education
Camp Companion
PVP Medical Supplies, (Mail donation to:
Fremont County Vet Clinic (Vet Services) |
