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SPCA can assist public with feral cats

Debra Joseph

Date published: 9/24/2006

Thanks for the excellent coverage of the SPCA Eighth Annual Walk and other recent animal issues.

I'm also responding to Stephanie Shelton's recent letter ["SPCA should handle ferals, not us residents," Sept. 7].

The Greater Fredericksburg Area SPCA is a private nonprofit facility. We are currently finalizing a new program to assist the public with feral cats.

We do not accept feral cats at our shelter but endorse trap-neuter-return as the most humane and effective way of managing them.

We loan humane traps for TNR and also assist with trapping and transportation when needed. Please note that in Virginia there is no "leash law" for cats, and they are free roaming.

For domesticated cats and for adoptable dogs, the SPCA works from a waiting list, calling owners as available space opens; we do not euthanize a current animal to bring in the next one.

Sadly, until all pet owners become committed to spaying or neutering their animals and providing them with lifelong care, there will continue to be homeless animals.

The result of owner irresponsibility is that 118,034 animals were euthanized in Virginia in 2005.

As with all shelters in this area, the SPCA is working with a very limited amount of resources and volunteers.

We encourage Ms. Shelton and other concerned people to volunteer or donate funds to help remedy some of these problems.

Debra Joseph

Fredericksburg

Debra Joseph is executive director of the Greater Fredericksburg Area SPCA.

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Date published: 9/24/2006