Once again the City of Corner Brook has begun the distribution of cat traps to citizens who have cat problems.  These traps, if used and monitored properly, can be and effective method of controlling nuisance or feral cats, but in untrained hands, they can be instruments of abuse.  If traps are not properly monitored, cats can be left in cold, wet conditions or in their own excrement or urine, for long periods of time.  This is unacceptable.  The Bay of Islands SPCA would like to see changes made to the way the City issues cat traps and deals with cat problems in general.

1. Since it cannot be reasonably expected that a person will check a cat trap hourly during the night, we recommend that cat traps be only used between sunrise and sunset.
2. The SPCA should be notified of the location of all traps issued by the City so that they can be monitored by the SPCA Special Constable.  Citizens who are issued cat traps would be notified that, as a condition of being issued a trap, they must agree to be subject to monitoring by the SPCA and the Animal Control Officer.
3. The City of Corner Brook should acquire cat scarecrows (motion sensor activated water sprayers) to be used to modify the behavior of pet cats that stray onto neighbor's property.  The SPCA currently has a demonstrator cat scarecrow and is in the process of acquiring several which will be made available to the public at no charge (A refundable deposit will be required).  We can also sell cat scarecrows to anyone who wants one (at cost).  These scarecrows are an option for people with a cat trespass problem because, after a few exposures to the water spray, the cat will avoid the area.

In a perfect world, cat owners would respect their neighbor's property and control their pet's behavior, and neighbors would be tolerant and forgiving in isolated instances of trespass.  However, if this balance between neighbors cannot be achieved, animals should not suffer as a result.

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