Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutGoderich Signal Star, 2017-01-25, Page 13Huron River Villa residents tackling feral cat problem Justine Alkema Postmedia Resident of Huron River Villa Mobile Home Park in Clinton say that feral cats have been an issue in the park for a very long time. Now, however, some residents of .the park have formed a coalition called "Clinton's Feral Kitties" to tackle the problem with a humane and effective approach. The approach they plan on using is called TNR, or trap, neu- ter and return. Clinton's Feral Kitties got in contact with a group in Stratford who has used the approach in Perth County. That group, which started in 2006/2007, is called the Feline Friends Network (FFN). On Jan. 13, the Feline Friends Network presented their approach to Clinton's Feral Kit- ties with tips, guidance, help with lending traps, etc. Cheryl Simpson of Stratford, the founder of the Feline Friends Network, said the method has significantly reduced the feral cat population in Stratford and all of Perth County. The FFN has TNRed 193 cats in Stratford since 2007. They are unsure of exactly how many cats Stratford began with, but now they are down to around 45 cats. In all of Perth County, they have TRNed around 800 cats. As is typical, the feral cats in Stratford live in "colonies"; there are around 20 colonies in Strat- ford, however some of those only have one cat, since there are only around 45 cats left at this time. "TNR takes years, but it works, and it's humane, so people like it," she Simpson. She argued that is has been proved ineffective to simply put down stray and feral cats. This is because of a "vacuum effect': Cats repopulate very quickly, and they choose areas to live in for specific reasons, whether that be for food, shelter, etc. If some cats are killed from a specific area, cats will inev- itably return to those areas and quickly repopulate. The TNR method is exactly what it sounds like it is. Cages are set up in an area where a cat colony lives and are baited with food. When a cat enters the cage for food, the door automatically closes behind them. Those doing, the trapping must cover the cage with a blanket as quickly as possible as that calms the cat. - Cats are then brought to an animal care provider, spayed or neutered, and quickly returned back to where they were caught. The group has several options for where to neuter or spay the cats; there are clinics in Toronto and Kitchener/Waterloo that provide free spaying and neuter- ing for TNRed cats. One ear of the car is clipped in the surgery, so cats that have been spayed or neutered are easily identified and will not be have to be trapped again. Most cats captured are per- manently feral and are unable to domesticate. However some friendly cats may be put up for adoption. Fixing the cats also stops nui- sance behaviors in the animals such as spraying, vocalizing and fighting. Residents at Huron River Villa estimate there may be as many as 100 cats at their park. Passport to Exploration new kids program at library Justine Alkema Postmedia Huron County Library Goderich branch's "Passport to Exploration" program was so popular last year, it is being implemented in libraries across Huron County this year. Last year, Goderich Library had 96 plus kids in the program. Each kid received a "passport" in which the goal was to get a "mission accomplished" stamp each month. To receive a stamp, the child had to come into the library and complete at least one of four activities - a colouring sheet, craft, an activity (changes each month) or read a book. "It's a way of bringing people into the library and getting the kids excited about what's here," said Clinton Branch Assistant Brenda Barclay. Kids must get 10 of 12 stamps for the year to be entered into a countywide draw at the end of the year. " Each month is a different theme; January was superhero themed. Colouring sheets, books, crafts and activities revolved around this topic. Since the program, is county wide, kids can do their activates at any branch to receive their stamp. Clinton's historic library. Barclay said another perk is "they don't have to come at any one set time of the week; it's whenever they're able to come. They have the whole month." Currently, the Clinton branch has 15 kids signed up and would welcome any more who are interested. Justine Alkema/Posbned The library offers a number of other programs including craft times, reading programs for kids from JK to grade 12 and book clubs for all ages. March break will include a num- ber of activities around a Western theme featuring a scavenger hunt, magician, "rodeo" and more. Wednesday. January 25, 2017 • Signal Star 13 Justine Alkema/Postmedia Huron River Villa Mobile Home Park in south Clinton on Highway 4. 119 TOYOTA BOXING MONTH EVENT ••. .•• . •• .. .�. .•. •• ' • . . . ,•• 1 • •. • .. •• . . • • .•, • • • • • • .• .. . • • f . • :