Alert 6/27/08 Richmond Feral Cats
By now, you have no doubt heard about the planned destruction of feral cats and their habitat at the Fox TV station in Richmond. Two letters regarding the situation (one from Robin Starr who heads the Richmond SPCA and the other from Ginger Bennett who heads the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies) are below.
Do you think it is time to address the cat issue in Virginia, particularly ferals?
What do you want to do?
One suggestion is to “register” feral colonies in the same way that rescue organizations are identified with a location and someone responsible for their welfare.
Could feral colonies not have the same status? Why is that a good idea, or conversely, what is wrong with it?
We can do something if we work together. This is the time to make it happen.
Lillian Clancy and Don Marro
6/26/08 letter from Ginger Bennett/Virginia Federation of Humane Societies to Fox:
WRLH Fox
1925 Westmoreland St.
Richmond, VA 23230
Sir,
The Virginia Federation of Humane Societies (VFHS) is a state-wide non-profit organization that represents the interests of 60 humane organizations in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It has come to our attention that your station has recently taken drastic, lethal and possibly illegal methods in regards to the feral and roaming cats on your property, despite the fact that established and accepted Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) methods were being undertaken to responsibly and humanely address the situation, and despite the fact that one of our members, the Richmond SPCA, had offered their assistance and resources to assist with this effort. We also understand that, after public outrage over your actions, you have falsely informed the public that you have been working with humane organizations to resolve the problem. We are very dismayed by your actions.
We have now received information that you have stopped the bulldozing of habitat and killing of these cats and are inviting humane groups and the general public to remove these cats from your property. The Richmond SPCA has again offered its assistance in addressing this matter. As they have also noted in correspondence to you, resolving the future of these cats needs to be done in a thoughtful, knowledgeable, coordinated manner – one in which TNR options are considered along with relocation options and all participating parties are experienced and established in working with and providing for feral cats. This is a specialized area, and, fortunately for you, there are many experts in this field available to you. The VFHS would be happy to join the Richmond SPCA and other groups to develop a plan to resolve this situation humanely.
The VFHS stands ready to help these cats, and the station, in any way that it can. If you choose not to address this matter in a responsible and humane manner, we will take any other action that we deem appropriate.
If you wish to discuss this situation, please contact me at 571-283-2185.
Regards,
Virginia “Ginger” W. Bennett
President
Virginia Federation of Humane Societies
Cc: Richmond SPCA, VACA, VVAW, VFHS Members, news@wric.com, newstips@wtvr.com, newsroom@nbc12.com, letters@timesdispatch.com,jslayton@timesdispatch.com
_________
6/26/08 letter from Robin Starr/Richmond SPCA to her distribution list:
We alerted you yesterday of the inhumane response of WRLH Fox Richmond to the presence of a feral cat colony on their property at 1925 Westmoreland Street. Many of you have quickly responded to our request to contact the station, and we are grateful for your efforts to encourage a compassionate solution. The Richmond SPCA is unwavering in our position that the proven method of Trap, Neuter, Return is in the best interest of the feral cats remaining on and around the property.
We wish to correct misleading statements that have been made to members of the public who have expressed their concern about this important issue. WRLH Fox General Manager Steve Genett has issued a misleading generic form response to concerned citizens who have expressed their outrage with him, WRLH, and Sinclair Broadcast Group over their reckless and inhumane treatment and killing of the feral cats on and around their station. We have also heard from several Richmond SPCA supporters that the person answering the phone in the office of Sinclair Broadcast Group President and CEO David Smith is calling our account of the actions shown on local news and seen by dozens of eyewitnesses untrue. This duplicity is quite troubling.
Fox Richmond is misleading the public by stating that they are working with humane organizations on a non-lethal, humane solution. They have not been in contact about working on a non-lethal solution with the Richmond SPCA, and other humane organizations have confirmed to me that WRLH has not been in contract with them either. Furthermore, WRLH’s plea to have individual members of the public trap and relocate or re-home the feral cats at the station is irresponsible and poses a serious threat to the well being and safety of the cats involved.
It is vitally important that all who are concerned with the survival of the colony understand that WRLH’s suggestion that individuals trap and relocate or care for the cats themselves is an unacceptable proposition and one that will seriously jeopardize the cats’ safety.
The Richmond SPCA stands willing and able to work with WRLH Fox on a valid humane and non-lethal program that is in the best interests of the cats and their safety. I will be happy to discuss with WRLH what can be done to achieve those ends but I have not been contacted by them to accept that help as of this time.
For more information about Trap, Neuter, Return please tune in to NBC 12 tonight from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. when members of our Smoky’s Spay/Neuter Clinic staff will answer questions on the Call 12 line. If you have specific questions about caring for feral cats and Trap, Neuter, Return, please call 804-345-1212 or 1-800-733-2812. You may also learn more by visiting our Smoky's Spay/Neuter Clinic website.
I appreciate your continued interest in this lifesaving subject and all the efforts of our supporters to spread awareness of the value of the lives of feral cats.
Sincerely,
Robin Robertson Starr
Chief Executive Officer
Richmond SPCA