Address to Mayor, councilors and PC city staff on March 1

About this time last year PCFCI came to you with a concern about the cat over-population crisis that exists not only in our city, but virtually world wide. We spoke about the problem in depth which stems from people not spaying or neutering their pet cats, allowing these cats to reproduce unchecked. Ultimately this results in hundreds if not thousands of cats that end up abandoned and homeless, either living on the streets or ending up in the shelter system.

In the Niagara region alone, 5000 cats were destroyed in 2008. Quite simply, this is inhumane and unacceptable. This also creates a financial burden which we as tax payers end up bearing the brunt of. Whether you love cats or not, paying to destroy unwanted companion animals does not make for good fiscal responsibility.

As Ted Bettle of the WHS stated to us in writing, 'We are facing an epidemic here.'

Last year we didn't come forward to lay blame or to point fingers. We came to offer you a solution. That solution is a community Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return program. TNVR is a simple, elegant method of addressing the very real problem of cat over-population right here in our own community.

Based on our proposed strategy last year you made the unanimous decision to grant us funding for year one of the program. I am delighted to be able to tell you this evening that you made a great decision. The program has achieved phenomenal success in only 9 short months.

Thanks to the dedicated core group of volunteers who have contributed hundreds of hours of free labour, the colony caregivers who continue to feed and shelter these cats, and the generous assistance of NAfA, we have put 87 cats through the program to date. These cats have been spayed or neutered, vaccinated against rabies and treated for parasites. They are also ear tipped as the universally accepted sign of a sterilized, free-roaming cat in a managed colony. These cats live throughout our community encompassing urban, suburban and rural areas, both east and west of the canal.

The implication of 87 cats that are no longer able to reproduce throughout the community is significant. Let's use the conservative formula of 1 female cat and all of her female offspring being capable of producing 3200 cats over a 12 year period. This formula takes into account the shortened lifespan of a feral or stray female and the high morbidity rate of feral and stray kittens and cats without human intervention. Based on 49 out of 87 cats being female, we're talking about the potential of 156,800 additional free-roaming, reproducing cats over a 12 year period that we have avoided as a direct result of year one of this program. We would suggest to you that you have achieved a very level of return on capital employed with your initial $5,000.00 investment in the program.

Not only have people been generous in donating their time, we have been very fortunate in receiving considerable financial support as well. Between fundraisers hosted by various local business people and private donations we raised $7,100.00 in 2009. We surpassed the city grant by $2,100.00.

When you stop and consider all of this it clearly demonstrates the level of commitment, support and need that exists in our community for this program. We want to continue our outreach in 2010. In order to do that successfully we need continued city funding and support. We also need that amendment to the existing by-law in order to afford at least a modicum of protection for these cats.

As we stated right from the beginning one year ago, this is a community problem that requires a community solution. The city of Port Colborne can continue to lead by example by providing continued funding and support for this much needed community program.

Calling all Friends of PCFCI!

Since June of 2009, PCFCI has spayed or neutered and vaccinated 85 cats through our community Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR)program.

At PCFCI presentations to city council in the spring of 2009 many friends and supporters came out to show their support and recognition of the need for a community TNVR program. Funding was approved and the program launched in June. Our dedicated volunteers have done an amazing job and we look forward to expanding the reach of the program in 2010.

It is now time to go back before city council budget deliberations to request that funding be continued for this year. Please help us show our Mayor and members of council that this program is both needed and supported by our community by attending the council budget meeting on Monday, March 1, at City Hall. PCFCI supporters will meet in the city hall lobby at 6 pm and we hope to see you there!

If you are not able to attend in person, please show your support by contacting Mayor Badawey, city councilors, and city staff with an email, telephone call or letter to request that funding be continued for this important community program.

Mayor Badawey: mayor@portcolborne.ca
David Barrick: davidbarrick@portcolborne.ca
Bill Steele: billsteele@portcolborne.ca
Frank Dibartolomeo: frankdibartolomeo@portcolborne.ca
Domenic Ursini: domenicursini@portcolborne.ca
Bea Kenny: beakenny@portcolborne.ca
Gary Bruno: garybruno@portcolborne.ca
Barb Butters: barbarabutters@portcolborne.ca
Kate Leigh: kateleigh@portcolborne.ca
Chief Administrative Officer Robert Heil: cao@portcolborne.ca

City Hall address and phone:
66 Charlotte Street
Port Colborne, ON
L3K 3C8
905.835.2900

Looking back on 2009

Over the past 7 months the generous support of many people in Port Colborne, the Niagara region and beyond allowed PCFCI to protect and improve the lives of homeless cats in our community.

• 66 cats have been spayed or neutered, vaccinated for rabies, treated for parasites
• October 16 declared National Feral Cat day by the city of Port Colborne
• TNR workshops held at the PC library to educate colony caregivers and volunteers on the program

As a non-profit, all volunteer organization, PCFCI is committed to TNR as the only humane and fiscally responsible way to manage the feral/unowned cat crisis. We are encouraged and excited by the success of this community program and look forward to expanding our outreach in the coming year but we can't do it without you.

Whether it be a donation of canned or dry cat food, a monetary gift or giving of your time as a volunteer, please consider helping us continue to provide this life-saving program for homeless cats.

With your help we are changing the lives of these cats - right here in our own community.