Cat Cruelty in Joplin, Missouri – Inhumanity Towards Feral Cats & Kittens

By Dr. Joyce Starr

August 14, 2010
 
Joplin’s policy towards feral cats and kittens: Potential legal action against those who feed, neuter and save them. My guest is cat protector and feral cat expert, Lindsay Donzanti. Show Date: August 14, 2010.
 
Lindsay on Joplin Policy:

“Joplin has a feral cat problem, and the powers that be are enforcing an ordinance forbidding the feeding and harboring of feral cats.
“If you trap a cat in Joplin, have it sterilized and/or pay for shots, it’s now considered your cat.
“If you feed the cat after releasing it, you’re breaking the law.
“Rescuers are who own more than four cats are guilty of a misdemeanor.”
“But Joplin residents are not legally permitted to “own” or house more than four animals at a time. Those who keep four animals are not allowed to feed, catch, neuter or vaccinate feral cats. Moreover, owners who release a cat back to the streets are not allowed to feed them. If the cat is starving, you can’t intervene. Their solution is to starve these defenseless cats to death.
“I called the Director of Animal Services in Joplin, Dan Pekarek. He confirmed this inhumane and misguided method of control, which has proven wholly ineffective elsewhere. It is SO cruel. We “colony caregivers” regard these cats as our pets" ...

Lindsay is asking for your help. Contact:

Joplin Mayor Mike Woolston. Toll Free: 1-800-444-8514 Local: 417-623-3480 Email: mikew@pro100.com
Joplin Globe: Editor – Carol Stark. Phone: 417-623-3480 Write to: The Joplin Globe, P.O. Box 7, Joplin, Mo. 64802.  Email: cstark@joplinglobe.com   Online Form for Letters to Editor:  http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/zope/letter_to_editor.php   or Email Letters to Editor: letters@joplinglobe.com
Joplin on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Joplin-Missouri/114104185266635?ref=ts