Feral cats a growing problem

throughout Verde Valley

by Paula Blankenship, staff reporter

"I don't sleep at night worrying about them," she says.  "No one's allowed to feed or take care of them.  the animals are suffering and as citizens we need to do something about it."

Hackett is and animal lover.

Wal-Mart's full of them.

"I even have a baby from someone who brought one home," explains Assistant Manager Rosie Rossiter.

In the last five years, feral felines have found a home at America's largest retailer.

And they don't discriminate.

Both wild and domesticated cats roam the streets, dumpsters and washes in various locations throughout the Upper Verde Valley.

From the streets of Old Town to the hills of Jerome, cats are king.

Even fast food favorites such as Kentucky Fried Chicken and Jack in the Box have seen their share of feline visitors.

"Their not a problem for me," says visiting manager Chuck Baucan of KFC.  "I see them eat out of the dumpsters all the time.  They don't bother anyone.

"At one point we had about 16,"  Rossiter says of Wal-Mart's uninvited guests.  "Now it's steadily declined."

And populations would be reduced further, says Cottonwood Animal Control Officer Bill Hawpe, if fast food wasn't quite so available.

"People feed then and then they deep hanging around instead of moving down the wash or hunting birds and mice," Hawpe explains.

Wednesday, Wal-Mart Manager Lou Rangel requested traps from the humane society to solve the problem.

Three feral cats were destroyed at the shelter Thursday morning.

"It's not uncommon to get feral cats as the weather starts getting nicer,"  she explains.  "It starts to happen daily."

"Feral cats are a big problem but we have no program," explains Debbie Engle of Old Town's Four Paws Emporium.  She has even taken in one friendly feline that has become a fixture in the thrift shop.  "We asked them to bring it to the store instead of taking it to the humane society.  We originally were going to find her a home but as it turns out she's and exceptional cat for the public."

In Jerome, homeless cats are also in abundance and local residents also take a 'no kill' approach to animal control.

"We round them up and take them to the vet,"  Says Town Clerk Al Palmieri.  "She takes care of them."  "In Jerome they trap, vaccinate, sterilize and then release them," adds Engle, who is also the founder and president of the Animal Aid Network.

"It's done wonders for our wild cat population,"  Palmieri explains.  And not only do residents enjoy their four legged friends, but, "We don't have a rat problem," he said.

Engle says a volunteer in Verde Village had a similar success story.

"Over a year she trapped about 14 cats," she explains.  the strays were then sterilized by the Animal Aid Network and then re-released.

At Wal-Mart, cats make their home in a ditch near the store.  "They don't bother anything," says Rossiter.  "They stay our near our break tables around where the associates are."  Hackett says she first noticed the carts in December and then started asking questions.

"A lot of people in this town love animals and are willing to do something about it," she says.

The problem says Wal-Mart Manager Lou Rangel, is a result of the public's lack of understanding of current city ordinances that prohibit the sale or distribution of animals in front of businesses.

According to City Hall, it is unlawful to sell or give away any animal in front of a business, store or the side of any public roadway in the city limits.  It is also unlawful for a business or store to allow such activity.

"Every time I approach people and ask them to cease they look shocked because they're not aware of this policy," Rangel says.

Although he can't be sure those who peddle animals in front of local businesses are responsible for later abandoning animals on store property, Rangel is disturbed that more people aren't willing to provide for animals in the care.

"Unfortunately we have to pay for the actions of those who are not animal lovers and those that don't understand that owning an animal is a major and important responsibility." he said.

Finch explains that destroying the animals isn't the only solution available for area residents.

The Verde Valley Humane Society has an assistance program for those who can't afford the costs of spaying or neutering.  "If people are willing to take care of them, we'll be happy to help them," she says.  "The problem with feral cats is if they reproduce they spread and multiply."

The traps have been returned to Wal-Mart.  "They're monitoring the traps and bringing the cats to me," said Finch. 

Engle says she has another option.

"It certainly wouldn't hurt if Wal-Mart would have contacted us," she explained.  "We would have vaccinated them, sterilized them and let them go to live out the rest of their lives."

And for merchants who don't want animals returned to their property?  Engle says Animal Aid Network volunteers will find homes for the cats.  "We would be happy to help them relocate,"  says Engle.