BOUNDARY COUNTY — It is estimated there are a whole lot of 1000’s of feral cats in Boundary County, Linda Endow Hall with Bonners Ferry Veterinary Clinic advised Boundary County Commissioners final month.
Cat populations can develop exponentially, as females can reproduce two to a few instances a yr, Hall advised commissioners Nov. 20. One pair of breeding cats can produce 420,000 offspring over 7 years and cats can grow to be fertile as early as 4 or 5 months old. Cats grow to be “feral” with out early contact with people.
Hall believes the overpopulation is a priority for the county, which the commissioners agreed, noting the county fairgrounds and landfill cat populations have drastically grown over the previous yr.
Hall has spoken out about her considerations of the feral cat inhabitants within the county earlier than. BFVC has not too long ago established the Buddy Hall Memorial Fund, which is called after the Hall household’s beloved cat. Buddy Hall not too long ago handed and to honor him a fund was created for the sterilization of feral cats in Boundary County.
Hall stated between $8,000 and $10,000 was raised by the group within the first few weeks the fund was fashioned.
Within the primary two weeks, BFVC was in a position to sterilize 35 cats by becoming in two operations every day into their surgical procedure schedule.
One Saturday a month, BFVC hosts an open volunteer spaying/neutering clinic. They cost $20 per cat, with $50 being taken out of the Buddy Hall Memorial Fund to pay for anesthesia, tools and provides. Typically it prices $150 to $200 to sterilize a cat.
“All of this is volunteer work. My staff has stepped up to volunteer their services one Saturday a month,” she stated. “Our community members have signed up to volunteer as well.”
When cats are introduced in, a kind have to be crammed out confirming the cat is feral earlier than the operation. Hall stated if the animal is just too sick the shape provides BFVC the authority to euthanize the cat.
Cats that obtain the process may have their ear clipped to mark that they’ve obtained the operation.
Hall hopes this program will likely be everlasting and that when she passes she hopes the undertaking will proceed in perpetuity.
Hall wish to see a coalition established of various entities come collectively to unravel the overpopulation points. She stated many constituents have stated there’s a downside, however nothing has been performed to repair it. She is hoping to offer an answer by providing cat sterilizations.
“I feel every animal should have the opportunity to have a decent life. These cats are inbreeding and producing deforming kittens it is not fair to those animals,” she stated.
She requested commissioners if the board may put aside funds to alleviate this county-wide concern.
Commissioner chair Tim Bertling stated residents stricken by growing cat populations must be contacted.
BFVC does present stay traps and volunteers are keen to set traps and monitor them for property house owners.
“If more people know we have this available, then people will be able to help their neighbors,” she stated.
Hall defined that cat hoarding can occur in a short time. Some folks might have a litter of kittens and earlier than they understand it they’ve 30 after which 60 cats on their property. They then really feel that they have to care for the cats.
Bertling stated the cat overpopulation must be talked about on the subsequent joint metropolis and county assembly to permit Moyie Springs and Bonners Ferry officers to be a part of the dialog on the problem.
Hall stated many cats are being rehomed after being sterilized. Farmers have fortunately taken cats for pest management, understanding they received’t have a problem with kittens come spring.
Hall stated that is only a small dent within the overpopulation concern, however she is a lady on a mission.
Spade and neutering is the one everlasting, 100% contraception technique for cats, she stated. Sterilization reduces the urge to roam which then prevents cats from contracting ailments.
She added that male cats dwelling outdoors stay on common lower than two years.
Hall counseled Dr. Sierra Temple and Dr. Lauren Gentle’s ardour for the undertaking.
For any additional questions, contact Linda Endow Hall at 208-255-8708.
