No easy answers to feral feline

problem in Valley

by Paula Blankenship, staff reporter

Wednesday, there wasn't a problem;  Wal-Mart was making an effort to "handle the situation."

Today, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals say none of the parties have an easy decision to the complicated problem of feral cats.

For the past 3 to 4 years, Wal-Mart has developed a strategy to rid its property of free ranging felines.

With the help of the Verde Valley Humane Society, traps have been set; cats have been trapped, removed and later destroyed. 

Unfortunately, every year, more feral cats arrive and the cycle begins again.

It's an unacceptable solution to many.

"Wal-Mart associates were calling me," says Debbie Engle, president of Animal Aid Network.  "They said someone needs to do something about this."

Engle received 23 calls in the last week concerned about Wal-Mart's strategy.

Fortunately, some callers offered a solution.

"I've had 23 calls, three of which were from vets willing to do low-cost spay and neuter," says Engle.  She's also had a number of volunteers willing to trap the feral cats.

"We have the entire makings of a feral cat program," says Engle.

Monday, during an Animal Aid Network emergency board meeting, members pledged $2,500 to kick-start a sterilize, vaccinate and release strategy similar to an existing program in Jerome.

Tuesday, Engle proposed the solution to Lou Rangel, manager of Wal-Mart.

But so far, he isn't taking the organization up on its proposal.

"We are exploring the legal issues," he said after meeting with Engle.  "Right now, we have no feral cat population."

At Wal-Mart's corporate headquarters, Sharon Weber is succinct.

"We want to do the right thing," the public information officer says.  "We are certainly open to the opportunities available.  We want to treat these animals as humanely as we can and we're sure open to working with these folks and looking at what opportunities exist."

According to Rangel and Weber, the retail giant's bottom line is customer safety.

"Our main priority in any situation where a wild animal is involved is to maintain a safe working environment and safe shopping experience for our customers," says Weber.  "Currently, we would be held liable for any customer's perceived damage to their person."

"Feral cats are socially wild," says Amy Rhodes, cruelty case worker for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

"They are implanted into their environment and struggling to survive the best they can."

And when domesticated cats are left to roam or are abandoned, they prey on wildlife not equipped to protect itself from such a predator, say conservationists.

The Verde Valley Greenway also has a policy to deal with feral cats.  Like Wal-Mart, Arizona State Parks traps feral cats and places them at the Verde Valley Humane Society.

The American Bird Conservancy estimates that in North America Cats are responsible for killing hundreds of millions of songbirds and more than a billion other small animals every year, says Wildlife Specialist Sylvia Harris.

"The forest service has some very legitimate concerns," agrees Rhodes.

PETA also has come concerns about the Animal Aid Network's proposal to relocate feral cats to other existing colonies.

"It's very difficult if not impossible to relocate," she says.

"They're not wild animals equipped to survive outdoors and then when you compound that with a completely new environment that's sometimes a death sentence."

As far as allowing the feral cats to remain at Wal-Mart, Rhodes finds that solution unacceptable and understands the retailers reluctance.

"It's possible to transmit diseases to humans," she says. "If there was a bite, people are quick to sue a large corporation like Wal-Mart."

PETA's suggestion?

"Unfortunately there's no rosy solution," Rhodes explains.

"It is possibly might be productive if businesses in the area have a no-feeding policy. People who feed have the best intentions at heart but they are fueling the problem.  Euthanizing animals isn't pleasant but sometimes it's necessary."

Wal-Mart has consistently advised its associates and the community to follow a no feeding policy.