Wednesday, August 24, 2005

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* Abandoned Cats - Israel Disengagement *
August 2 to 23, 2005

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Feral cats pose risk, researcher writes
Northwest Herald, Illinois
WOODSTOCK – A controversial program created last year to control wild, homeless cats could be discontinued after criticism from a McHenry County health official and an ultimatum from county leaders.
[Excerpt]
Proffering a letter from a researcher at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Wheeler said at a board of health meeting that outdoor cats spread toxoplasmosis, a minor parasitic infection that can be dangerous to pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.
Pathiobiologist Milton McAllister wrote that a "massive body of evidence regarding the public health risk" should prompt strict controls on feral cats and called it "socially irresponsible" to allow cats to live unrestricted outdoors.
But proponents of the program say the risk of toxoplasmosis was discussed extensively before the county approved the idea.
"In all, I think that it's unfair to try and revisit all this stuff based on one person's hearsay that is not statistically proven, that an increase [in toxoplasmosis] is based on feral cats," said Cindy Gaffney, the coordinator for Helping Paws' trap-neuter-release program.

Board reviews stray-cat surgery
Chicago Tribune, United States
McHENRY COUNTY -- A test program in which stray cats are spayed or neutered and released would get a three-month extension under a proposal officials are ...

State: Fix pets or pay higher fees
Bloomington Pantagraph, USA
... The new fee, which will be administered by county health departments, is aimed at reducing the number of stray dogs and cats in Illinois. ...
[Feral Cat Blog! Note and Resource: This is a new statewide spay/neuter program to include eligible feral cat caretakers as well as low-income pet 'owners'!!!:
"A resident of this State who is managing a feral cat colony and who humanely traps feral cats for spaying or neutering and return is eligible to participate in the program provided the trap, sterilize, and return program is recognized by the municipality or by the county, if it is located in an unincorporated area.
Full text of enrolled Illinois House Bill 315

Fresno County adds teeth to dog law
Fresno Bee (subscription), CA
... the 15 cities will adopt similar regulations. Anyone who doesn't want to spay or neuter a dog or cat can obtain a breeding permit. ...

Animal policies progressive in Ga.
Atlanta Journal Constitution (subscription), GA
... We worked to get the enabling legislation for the spay-neuter license plate passed, as well as the tax check-off legislation to allow taxpayers to contribute ...

CA Could Force Spaying, Neutering
KGO, CA
California cities and counties would be able to force dog owners to spay or neuter some breeds under new legislation passed by the State Assembly. ...

Most of cats rescued from FdL residence expected to survive
Fond du Lac Reporter, WI
One of the 12 cats removed from a West Bank Street residence has been euthanized by the Fond du Lac Humane Society, but Shelter Manager Lucy Mathers says the ...

20 cats taken from home euthanized
Newark Star Ledger, NJ
Twenty of the 95 cats removed from an East Orange home on Monday have been euthanized because of illness, animal welfare authorities said yesterday. ...

Samples from dead cats sent to lab; owners may be charged
Bakersfield Californian (subscription), CA
... The cats, dogs and horses on the quarantined property near Hart Flat were doing well Tuesday, said Kern County Animal Control chief Denise Haynes. ...
Animals tested for Bubonic Plague
KGET 17

Humane Society opts to not renew animal control contract
Mooresville / Decatur Times, IN
... Both women said the county needs to enact a strict spay and neuter ordinance and enforce it. They said that until the ordinance ...

ROCHDALE will be overrun with unwanted cats, an animal charity has ...
Rochdale Observer, UK
Barbara Henry, branch co-ordinator of Cats Protection, says that unless cat owners take on their responsibilities and get their pets neutered, the country’s ...