Today, April 4th, I received a neighborhood newsletter. Included was an announcement that on April 17th, the Springfield Woods Board of Directors (the oversight body of this neighborhood in Virginia) in affiliation with the local animal control, would "remove" feral cats to prevent the spread of rabies. I've been feeding these animals for a long time now. Some are social; some run away when approached. But not once has a cat attempted to bite me, and very rarely have I been stratched. I don't think we should worry too much about them spreading rabies.

Unfortunately, no information was given as to what will happen to these animals after their removal. For all we know, they could be killed immediately. Or, if they do end up in an animal shelter, they are likely not to be adopted because of their reputation of being "unadoptable" and because of the economic downturn (no one's looking for animals to purchase right now).

Even if you don't live in Virginia, I'd very much appreciate it if you contacted springfieldwoods@yahoo.com, the only clear email address given in the newsletter, or made a short, polite phone call to:

Boo Dagenhart at 804-270-5851
Rick Frisbie at 804-270-5145
Betty Parker at 804-346-2152
Sue Ridd at 804-270-5365
Peggy Thurston at 804-270-1588

Please ask them to explore alternatives and/or humanely take the animals to the Henrice Police Animal Shelter to get inexpensive rabies vaccinations

on May 16th and return them to their "natural habitat" in this neighborhood. Thank you! Remember, you only have until April 17th to speak up for those who can't speak up for themselves!

We the undersigned ask that the Springfield Woods Board of Directors explore other options to the proposed "removal" of feral cats in the Springfield Woods neighborhood(s).

These cats are not known to bite, and therefore do not pose a danger of spreading rabies. If they were to be removed and taken to an animal shelter, it is not likely they'll get picked up by a potential owner because of their reputation as being "unadoptable" and because of the current economic downturn (no one's looking to bring an animal home when they have other mouths to feed).

We ask that you humanely trap these animals, take them to the Henrico Police Animal Shelter and have them vaccinated inexpensively and fixed to prevent spring litters of kittens, then safely returned to where they were found. They do not pose a danger and do not destruct property.

It is not fair to kill them needlessly when the problem can be taken care of in other ways. Please be patient and consider alternatives. Thank you.