CLEARFIELD – Clearfield Borough Council endorsed a letter by their animal control officer to explain steps that will be taken to hopefully curb the stray and feral cat problem within the borough.
Animal Control Officer Kim McKenrick reported to council that she heard from an organization that is willing to donate $500 to help her possibly hire a professional to come into the borough and help with the stray cat problem.
McKenrick said that between herself and the other animal control officer they had seven traps, five of which were stolen. She explained to council the enormity of the stray cat issue, as well as its impact. She explained that it affects the public, property and the animals.
She explained that on Thursday morning, she took a litter of seven kittens to the Clearfield County SPCA. She said their mother had been poisoned and was crawling with maggots when she found her.
“There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t pick up a dead one,” said McKenrick.
McKenrick asked council to consider submitting a letter to media outlets to get the word out to the public about how they plan on attempting to contain the problem. She warned that captured, unclaimed cats would more than likely be euthanized. She explained that for captured feral and stray cats, this was probably the most humane option.
Clearfield Borough Operations Manager Leslie Stott asked the cat-owning public, indoor or outdoor, to keep their cats in their yard. She suggested that if a person’s cat goes missing to contact the SPCA.
Council voted unanimously to approve the letter, which will be revised and distributed to media outlets next week.
“I’m glad council’s approved this,” said Clearfield Borough Police Chief Jeff Rhone. “Clearfield Borough’s problem’s increased dramatically.
“Kim’s very efficient at what she’s doing, but we need to support her.”