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| Randolph city officials have replaced a $5 bounty on feral cats with a trap-neuter-return program. |
The small town of Randolph, Iowa, attracted national attention earlier this month when Mayor Vance Trively announced a program that placed a $5 bounty on the town’s feral cats. Animal welfare organizations contacted the mayor and other city officials, offering alternatives to the bounty program. Last week, the Randolph city council agreed to work with several animal welfare groups to implement a trap-neuter-return program for the feral cats.
“This is a win-win-win solution,” said Julie Castle, director of community programs and services for Best Friends Animal Society of Kanab, Utah. “The community is getting a humane solution to this issue, the cats get to live, and the animal welfare groups are showing that when they come together, they come up with solutions that fit the particular community issues and help animals.”
Under the new plan, the town’s population of about 100 feral cats will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated and given any necessary veterinary care. A small group of cats in downtown Randolph will be relocated to a safe location outside town limits. As part of the long-term solution for the feral cats, as originally put forth by Alley Cat Allies, volunteers will monitor the population, giving them food so they don’t have to seek it elsewhere.
All pet cats in the town will be spayed and neutered, and will receive microchip identification, distinguishing them from the feral cats. Any of the homeless cats that are friendly and adoptable will be taken to local animal shelters and rescue groups for placement in foster care and permanent homes.
Groups involved in devising and implementing the trap-neuter-return plan for Randolph’s feral cats include Best Friends Animal Society, Raccoon Valley Animal Sanctuary and Rescue, Feline Friendz, Hearts United for Animals, Alley Cat Allies and Animal Protection and Education. A six-month supply of food for the cats has been donated by Petco. Fremont County Vet Clinic will provide low-cost spay/neuter surgeries, vaccinations and microchip services.
“We have offered the mayor a solution he can live with, that the cats can live with,” said John Pundzak, president of Raccoon Valley Animal Sanctuary and Rescue. “We are proud to partner with Best Friends.”