Randolph Iowa cats

March 15, 2008 Update

Yes, those working for the cats or closely following this story are aware that after the City agreed to accept the offers of help from animal groups and individuals, the Mayor has been reported as stating he still does not want the cats to remain in town.
Tiny Iowa Town Rescinds $5 Cat Bounty - March 15, 2008
Randolph repeals cat bounty, but trouble remains - March 15, 2008

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Original March 14, 2008 Post
Mayor Vance Trively of tiny Randolph Iowa offered a $5 bounty on cats effective March 1, 2008; any stray cats or dogs without collars or tags could be turned in and would be "put down." Around February 28, David Earlywine of the Randolph Community Network had posted online the mayor’s cat bounty and city contact information. As customary, he invited public comments which have poured in along with phone calls, e-mails and letters to the city.

On March 10, reporter Julie Hong from KPTM Channel 42 in Omaha Nebraska aired the story; they had been contacted by a southwest Iowa animal rescue. The news story was picked up by Associated Press, a media flurry ensued ( Mike Kilin’s article in the Des Moines Register expands about cat problems around Iowa) and public reaction continued. Fremont County Veterinary Clinic in Sidney (the closest vet,) falsely identified as the clinic who would euthanize cats, issued a statement that they would in fact spay/neuter cats for Trap-Neuter-Return in an agreement with Fry‘s Country Bargains, a no-kill shelter in Creston.

Local groups APE (Animal Protection and Education) of Paton Iowa, Panora Pets in Iowa, and Feline Friendz in Nebraska located in Omaha, early offered assistance with Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and spay/neuter. TNR is the nonlethal management method for feral cats.

Beginning March 12 national groups Alley Cat Allies (ACA) in Bethesda Maryland, Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab Utah, and the HSUS Feral Cat Program in Washington DC issued statements and offered a variety of hands-on and financial support.

After the Randolph city meeting Thursday evening, March 13, the Mayor removed the bounty and the city council accepted the multiple offers of help. Participants will attend a special city meeting next Thursday, March 20. Please support these groups who are teaming together to help the cats and people of Randolph Iowa:

APE and Panora Pets, both in Iowa, Feline Friendz in Nebraska located in Omaha, and Alley Cat Allies, Best Friends Animal Society, and the HSUS Feral Cat Program.

The cat bounty debacle in Randolph Iowa simply reveals the plight of cats globally. Susan Greene of Wildrun has a thought-provoking blog post about Mayor Trively as the current 'face of animal control yesterday’ and our need to consider, then act.

The issues of both ‘owned’ and unowned cats must be addressed CONCURRENTLY in every community. Spay/neuter and contain or supervise owned cats; prevent lost and abandoned cats, reunite or rehome them; and trap-neuter-return-manage feral cats.

Deep appreciation to all who spoke for the cats (and dogs) and for humankind. Special thanks to David Earlywine of Randolph Community Network for a great job of providing information and outlet for public comment!