Readers clarify SCCAS policies and plea for second chances
Indoor Cats
Re: “The Catfight Over Santa Cruz’s Backyard” (Cover, June 12): I am writing to ensure there is clear understanding regarding Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter’s (SCCAS) policies and procedures on feral cats. SCCAS is an open admission shelter that accepts all animals brought to its doors. Cats at the shelter that are healthy and friendly can be placed for adoption. Cats that are unsocial or unadoptable are offered to our placement partner organizations, such as Project Purr.
SCCAS loans out humane traps for free to residents that wish to trap, neuter, return cats in conjunction with Project Purr or by establishing a colony that adheres to the regulations of the Santa Cruz County ordinance on managing a feral cat colony. These policies are put in place to ensure that the very basic needs of these cats are met and that someone is responsible for taking care of them. SCCAS also pays for all spay/neuter and vaccinations for cats that are transferred out to Project Purr.
However, SCCAS advocates for cats (a domestic non-native species) to be kept indoors for several reasons including health and safety of cats exposed to the hazards of living outdoors, threat posed to the integrity of native wildlife populations and natural ecosystems, public health concerns and nuisance to neighbors and businesses.
SCCAS does not believe in the concept of warehousing stray cats outdoors. Through humane education and animal advocacy, it has taken many decades for dogs to become something more than property to be chained to a tree in the backyard and then ignored. We believe that cats deserve the same love and care afforded other types of pets. Encouraging the idea that it is OK for cats to be outdoors and to be exposed to the dangers they will encounter on the street conveys the message that should you no longer want your cat, release it outside and it will survive on its own, or that possibly someone else will care for it. As long as people promote any form of the idea that cats can be kept outdoors, the public's opinion toward them will not change.
Melanie Sobel
General Manager,
Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter
Do Something
Re: “Brand New Bag” (Currents, June 12): TJ didn't envision TCT [The Clean Team] picking up trash. He highlighted the issue, actually did go out and pick up trash (on the cliffs) and the City did…nothing. The other concerned citizens had two choices. Continue to watch the City do nothing, or do something. So we did, and we do. I for one am not interested in the politics of who administers a Facebook page, though it should be pointed out that TJ has since moved out of state. What is it he would do from Oklahoma to help Santa Cruz?
As for Ken Collins, he made a mistake and apologized. Given that Santa Cruz has a rep for giving thieves, junkies and even dealers a second chance, how about the same for someone doing good instead of bad? It should also be pointed out that he used a trash grabber, not “a metal stick,” which sounds like a weapon. A small point, but visualization is key for readers.
Simply put, community members who help clean up the community each week should be applauded (as we are each week by drivers, bikers and walkers) instead of local media focusing on ginned up controversies.
Eric Rowland
Santa Cruz
