Community cat advocates in Charles Town, WV are facing legal punishment for feeding feral cats. Many of these volunteers practice TNR - trap, neuter, return - which is a process that cuts down on the feral cat population by providing spay/neuter, vaccination, and other routine veterinary care to the cats, then releasing them back to their colonies. TNR volunteers also commit to feeding the cats they've vetted by setting up food stations, and putting out shelters during cold or extreme weather. Many of these cats would not be suited for an indoor home as they have spent their entire lives outdoors. If brought to one of the shelters in the area, most of which are overcrowded and underfunded, feral cats are turned away or euthanized.
TNR is a humane, effective way to stop the uncontrolled breeding of feral cats. Since beginning the TNR program in Charles Town, the city's feral cat population has drastically decreased. Most of the TNR advocates are volunteers who spend their own money or rely on donations to care for the cats. However, a city ordinance states, "No person shall feed, harbor or keep feral cats." Now, these advocates face heavy fines just for simply feeding the cats they've trapped and neutered, even though these cats cannot reproduce.
Charles Town city officials believe if the cats starve, freeze, or ultimately die from lack of care, this will get rid of the feral cat "problem." Not only is this extremely callous, but it violates a city ordinance that states, "No person shall intentionally, knowingly or recklessly: … Withhold, A. Proper sustenance, including food or water" from an animal. It also ignores the proven fact that TNR works.
Many nearby cities, including Ranson, WV, have TNR programs that are flourishing with local government support. It's time for Charles Town to follow suit and abandon this cold-hearted ordinance in favor of a more viable and compassionate solution.
