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.
