Karen Mosser: Good alternatives to killing cats, dogs

Regarding Atwater city officials and their feral cat problem: I suggest they contact Stanislaus County Animal Shelter Director Annette Patton about their successful trap/neuter/return program. It is saving lives and taxpayers’ money. Over 3,000 cats have gone through Stanislaus’ TNR program since June 2013. “Cat Network” offers a full TNR service clinic that is open to residents of surrounding counties. They offer low-cost feral spay and neuter. Now is the time to spay or neuter cats before kitten season starts. Merced County needs to join the “no kill” revolution and stop killing cats.

I have been involved with feral cat issues in Stanislaus County since 2000 and it no longer surprises me little elected officials know about animal issues and their lack of knowledge of the subject which has cost millions of cats and dogs their lives and taxpayers money that could have been better spent.

Stanislaus County has an “Animal Advisory Board” which meets the first Thursday of every month at SCAS, but I see hardly any public interest in these meetings. I appeal to the residents of Merced and Stanislaus counties to become more active in helping solve dog and cat issues. Start by calling Cat Network at (209) 735-0604 to make an appointment for cat spay/neuter or make a donation to the program.

This story was originally published November 18, 2014 at 9:34 AM with the headline "Karen Mosser: Good alternatives to killing cats, dogs."