The Pembina Valley Humane Society (PVHS) is making strides in addressing the overpopulation of stray cats in Morden with its newly launched pilot Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program. Scott Wilson, Vice Chair of the PVHS Board of Directors, oversees this initiative, which aims to trap stray cats, spay or neuter them, and either return them to their original location or adopt them out through the shelter.
"We recognized a significant overpopulation issue here in Morden," Wilson explained in a recent interview. "With the support of the City of Morden, we initiated this program to tackle the challenge effectively."
Support from the Mayor of Morden
Morden Mayor Nancy Penner expressed her support for the program, stating, "The Humane Society presented to council on their spay-neuter-catch-and-release program to keep the stray cat population under control. Council was supportive of their initiative and provided funding for this pilot project to see how it goes."
Monitoring cat colonies and continuing the fight against overpopulation
The TNR program has been running for a few weeks, focusing on specific neighborhoods identified as having a high number of stray cats. So far, volunteers have successfully trapped 14 cats, including one that was reunited with its owner. Notably, over half of those trapped were kittens, all of whom are eligible for adoption due to their young age.
One of the unique aspects of this program is the decision to return some cats to their original neighborhoods. "While it may seem counterintuitive to return cats, it’s crucial for maintaining the balance," Wilson stated. "If we remove them without a plan, other unsterilized cats may move in, worsening the problem."
Penner highlighted the dual benefits of the initiative, noting, "Stray cats do provide a service in terms of keeping the rodent population under control. But if we can control the number of litters, that’s a win-win for both the city and the Humane Society."
Conversations leading up to the program's launch began when the PVHS recognized similar initiatives were yielding positive results in other jurisdictions. After thorough research and resource planning, they presented their proposal to the town council. "We’re incredibly grateful for their support," Wilson noted. "Not only does this program help control the stray cat population, but it also saves taxpayer money by reducing the need for animal control services."
The work has just begun
As the trapping phase of the program winds down, Wilson emphasized that the work is far from over. "We will continue to monitor the cat colonies in the area to ensure the community remains engaged in caring for these animals."
When asked about the long-term impact of the TNR initiative, Wilson remained optimistic. "This is just the beginning. Our goal is to demonstrate the effectiveness of this program so that we can expand it and significantly reduce the stray cat population in Morden."
In light of the current situation, Wilson also urges pet owners to take responsibility. "We encourage all cat owners to spay or neuter their pets and keep them indoors if they aren't fixed. Unspayed cats can reproduce several times a year, leading to exponential growth in the stray population."
The PVHS is a volunteer-driven organization and welcomes community support. Wilson invites anyone interested in helping to visit their website at pvhsociety.ca for donation and volunteer opportunities.
As the pilot program continues, the PVHS hopes it will serve as a model for similar initiatives, fostering a healthier, more responsible approach to managing the feline population in the Pembina Valley.