WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A proposed Wichita ordinance that would make it easier for residents to maintain feral cat colonies is ruffling the feathers of the city's bird lovers.
The Animal Control Advisory Board proposed an ordinance that would set policies allowing residents to establish and care for colonies of stray and feral cats at their homes and businesses. The cats would be trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated and released back into the community to a caregiver, who would be responsible for the cats' food, water, shelter and veterinary care.
The board recently decided that caregivers would have to register themselves and any cat colonies they supervise, but it is still debating other issues, such as how many cats would be allowed in a colony.
Wichita Audubon Society President Tom Ewert told the board last week that the ordinance would be bad for birds and other local wildlife, the Wichita Eagle reported.
"It's documented that cats kill up to 40 birds per year, and if you have eight or 12 (cats), that's unlimited numbers of birds that are being killed, not to mention the rabbits and other wildlife," Ewert said.
Ewert said that board members primarily consulted the group Friends of Felines when making decisions on the ordinance. He said that board's leadership didn't call on others for input in public meetings and that the process has been unfair.
Resident Richard Ruth also expressed concern that the board was favoring cat backers.
"Having the Friends of Felines as being the primary person(s) to give guidance on this issue with ferals ... is kind of limiting where you can go with this," Ruth said. "Opening it up to other voices, maybe you'll be able to arrive at something that's a little more workable."
The board is expected to finish drafting the proposal on Nov. 28. The proposal would then go to the City Council.
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Information from: The Wichita (Kan.) Eagle, http://www.kansas.com
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