WEST RICHLAND, Wash. – West Richland Animal Control launched “Control the Cats” today, a new program aimed at reducing the feral cat population and complaints in the city.
Marissa Adamson, West Richland’s Animal and Code Compliance Officer who set up the program, says the program will collect three feral cats a week from impacted neighborhoods. Then spay or neuter the cats, and release them back into the neighborhood.
“It’s focused on controlling the population of cats that are homeless, feral or don’t belong to anybody. I’ve noticed in the past five years a dramatic increase in cat complaints in West Richland. We don’t have cat kennels. We don’t have an animal shelter like Tri-City Animal Control does. So my resources for cats are super limited,” Officer Adamson said.
This effort is being kickstarted with funding from the West Richland Community Care Foundation. Dr. Menks Mobile Vet Care is assisting in the alteration of the cats. This is the first program of it’s kind used in the Tri-Cities area.
Jody Horner, a West Richland resident for over 17 years, says feral cats have been an issue for the community for years. Homeless cats have attacked his pets and made a mess in his yard.
“Before I had grass. It used to be a lot of dirt. I had a lot of woodchips on the ground. And, you know, there was lots of fecal matter or whatnot,” Horner said.
Cats have congregated in the neighborhood because people keep putting food out for the cats. People think they are helping the cats, but it’s actually the cause of the problem.
“People are feeding these cats without vaccinating, without fixing. If you’re feeding them without vetting, you’re bringing in all the cats into one section. And that not only spreads diseases, but we have breeding problems and it explodes really quick,” Officer Adamson said.
Citizens caught feeding feral cats without fixing them will receive a criminal citation with a mandated court date.
Deborah Hoff, another neighborhood resident, is optimistic about the new program.
“I think it’s a really good idea. Even if you take them and at least get them fixed and release them, you know, anything to get it under control. Because I know it’s a bad situation here,” Hoff said.
Officer Adamson applied for a $5,000 grant for the unit. The decision is expected in November.
