MINOT, N.D. (AP) - A north-central city in North Dakota has launched a project to reduce feral cat population through reproductive sterilization.
Souris Valley Animal Shelter in Minot received $1,500 in a grant and donations to initiate a program to bring down the city’s wild cat population of 1,200, which are usually in colonies of 15 to 30, the Minot Daily News (https://bit.ly/2oILr8J ) reported.
The project, which is scheduled to begin later this spring, will focus on one colony and trap as many cats as possible in one day. The cats will be released to the colony once they’re sterilized with a notch in their ears to be easily identified.
Kittens and cats that can be domesticated will be offered for adoption instead of returned to the colony. Any pregnant or nursing cats will be cared for until the kittens are eight weeks old, and will then be released back to the colony.
After the first colony is completed, the program is planned to reach other nearby colonies until reaching the city limits.
“It has to be continuous and rapid,” said Randy McDonald, the shelter’s director. “It’s a battle of attrition.”
McDonald said Feral cats can be a nuisance because of spraying, howling or other bothersome activities typically associated to mating.
___
Information from: Minot Daily News, https://www.minotdailynews.com
Please read our comment policy before commenting.