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ONE-TIME television weatherman Vince Sweeney no longer issues daily forecasts, but that didn’t stop him last week from making a dire prediction about September.
It’s going to be a bad month – for cats.
Sweeney, who now heads the area’s animal shelter, wants people to know an overwhelming number of stray cats roam the region’s yards and alleys, all too often destined for premature death. Since July 1 more than 1,000 cats have been taken to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Luzerne County. About 650 of those felines were euthanized.
The SPCA lacks the space to keep them all, and adoptions can’t keep pace with the never-ending parade of unwanted kittens and cats arriving at the Plains Township shelter. “September is typically the worst month of all,” said Sweeney, “so the bigger numbers are still ahead.”
Cat overpopulation persists across the nation, leading to troubles for both humans and animals. Feral cats risk starvation, disease and abuse. Some fall victim to passing cars and trucks. Cats with suitable temperaments that are “lucky” enough to make it to a shelter might, or might not, be adopted. In either case, their care requires lots of money, in some cases provided for by taxpayers.
So, what can be done to correct the cat problem?
For starters, area residents must not shrug off this issue as either unimportant or insurmountable. Moreover, there needs to be widespread recognition in the Greater Wyoming Valley that the problem shouldn’t be pinned on the cats, but rather on irresponsible pet owners.
Caretakers need to ensure their cats (and dogs) are spayed or neutered. In some cases, these services will be provided at little or no cost.
Likewise, pet owners should learn how to properly care for their animals so that they remain healthy and stay under control at all times.
Everyone shares a responsibility for reporting cases of mistreatment. And people who have the financial means or available volunteer hours are encouraged to support local programs that promote animal welfare.
Here’s what you can do to improve the situation.
• Make an appointment to have your cat spayed or neutered. Low-income individuals who can verify they receive public assistance might be eligible to have their cats treated though an SPCA-funded program. The program is administered by Valley Cat Rescue. For information, call 824-4172.
• Support cat spay/neuter programs. The area SPCA has established a fund at The Luzerne Foundation to accept contributions toward its spay/neuter efforts. Tax-deductible gifts can be mailed to this address: SPCA Spay and Neuter Fund, The Luzerne Foundation, 140 Main St., Luzerne, PA 18709.
• Adopt a cat. If you can supply a good home, you can adopt an SPCA cat this month for free. The normal adoption fee will be waived during September as long as you can provide proof of home ownership (a tax bill, for instance) or letter of approval from your landlord. Adopters also must provide veterinary records (or a vet’s letter of recommendation).
For more information, visit the SPCA’s Web site at www.spcaluzernecounty.org, or call 825-4111.
Finding a home for every cat might be impossible; but there should be room aplenty in our hearts to foster a community that always strives to give its animals better treatment.