CHICAGO (WBBM) -- Experts are promoting a new way of dealing with the millions of stray cats in the United States. This weekend, a seminar will be held in Chicago to push for the trap, neuter and release program.
WBBM's Bernie Tafoya reports.
Becky Robinson of the national cat advocacy group Alley Cat Allies says thousands of stray cats are killed every year by animal control departments in the Chicago area.
She says that’s not working to control the explosion in the stray cat population,which she says is at a “crisis” level.
Robinson says the trap, neuter and release program has worked in some parts of the country already, that “there are colonies all over the country being managed...not breeding.”
The new method is being considered in Cook County. County Animal Control director Dr. Dan Parmer says a proposal is being drawn up to try the trap, neuter and release method. He says catching and eventually euthanizing stray cats is NOT doing the trick and that, while he does not know if the new method would work, he says it’s worth a try.
Dr. Parmer expects the county board to act on a proposal sometime over the summer.
Becky Robinson says “1-2% of cats that come into shelters are reclaimed by owners” and that on average around the country, “about 70% of cats coming in to shelters are killed”
She says trap, neuter and release would be more humane.
The seminar to discuss the method will be held at the Anti-Cruelty Society.
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