For the past seven years, the organization HELP the Animals, Inc., a no-kill shelter in Richmond, Indiana, has operated a successful trap-neuter-return program in local Glen Miller Park, a 200 acre mixed-use recreation area consisting mainly of wooded areas. It is perhaps the longest running TNR program in the state and has resulted in a decrease of the cat population over time. The program has operated in the past with the approval of the Richmond Parks Department.

Now, for no adequate reason, the authorities in the Parks Dept. have decided to remove and probably kill the cats. All indications are they could not care less that the program has worked and could serve as a model of humane feral cat care and population control. At a Parks Dept. meeting this Thursday (June 19), it appears their board is prepared to officially approve the trap and kill policy and then quickly implement it.

Please let the mayor of Richmond (a rural town of 40,000) know that this action, if it is carried out, will stain the reputation of both his administration and his town. Explain that TNR is the only humane and effective means of controlling feral cat populations, is a growing movement across the country, and is more effective and less costly than trap and kill. Please act soon, before Thursday.

Mayor Shelley Miller can be reached at email address:
mayor@ci.richmond.in.us

Thursday June 19, 2003


Hi all!

Forgive me if I'm not very eloquent and don't have the energy to give you a
full accounting of today's meeting of the Richmond Parks Board meeting right
now. It was a very disheartening day. Here's the gist:

It was business as usual for the Richmond Parks Board. As if it were already
scripted, the parks board unanimously, and without hesitation, approved two
measures today. The first being a new Parks Department policy on nuisance
animals; the second being their short-term solution for dealing with the
current free-roaming cat "problem".

Although their proposal included language suggesting that the parks board
would remove and relocate the cats according to humane protocols and try to
work in partnership with interested local groups like HELP the Animals, this
suggestion brought groans from the small, packed assembly room. Considering
that the parks department has defiantly ignored all appeals from HELP the
Animals and the 350 concerned citizens who signed petitions in the past
week, there is little belief that the Parks Department will do anything but
dictate terms for participation in the process and those who will not abide
by them will be dismissed and ignored.

The last, and most important element of the Parks Department short-term plan
indicated that cats which could not be relocated will be taken to the county
shelter. Who determines if cats can be relocated? As you might guess, it's
apparently based on the Parks Department's ability to find relocation sites.

There were threats of prosecution by the City Attorney for anyone who
interferes in the Parks Department plan. The City Attorney made an
appearance to briefly clarify a minor point in the Parks Department plan,
but seemed to be there primarily for reinforcement.

Most in attendance today feared, but expected this decision. Since the parks
department was discovered preparing fliers some weeks ago, warning adjacent
home owners of their plans, their stance has been consistent -- they want
the cats out. Regardless, HELP the Animals supporters were devastated. The
small group outside the administration office were sad and angry. They felt
that those who were in place to represent their interests had ignored and
betrayed that trust.

No amount of factual support presented by HELP the Animals would sway the
Parks Board. The comprehensive counter-proposal put forth by HELP the
Animals at the beginning of the meeting didn't even warrant additional study
time by the board.

The mayor's response to the amazing outpouring of phone calls and e-mails
was irritation. She feels that it's not her problem. According to her, it's
the Parks Board's decision. When her office was deluged with calls and
e-mails on Wednesday, the phones were apparently taken off the hook.

The story hasn't ended yet. The people in Richmond who care for and about
the cats are still working hard to see that somehow the cats are relocated
properly. Public support for the cats may still have an impact on the
situation. As those of you practicing TNR know, trapping cats isn't as easy
as it sounds.

When I get a chance to regroup and recover, I will be giving you all more
information to use to bring pressure to bear on Richmond officials. If
anyone knows of suitable relocation sites within central Indiana or east
central Ohio, please contact me: gbrush@indyferal.org / 317-258-7469 (cell)

The concerned people of Richmond, and I, thank all of you who have expressed
your concern and disgust at this amazing display of ignorance and
indifference. We hope that continued pressure will give the City of
Richmond, Indiana reasons to reconsider this plan.

Sincerely,
Greg
-----------------
Greg Brush
gbrush@indyferal.org
Vice President,
IndyFeral Inc.

http://www.indyferal.org
A resource for caretakers &friends of stray &feral cats in central Indiana
IndyFeral Inc.
P.O. Box 30054
Indianapolis, IN 46230
(317) 596-2300