Plan to control feral cat population in Mogadore causes controversy

MOGADORE, Ohio (WJW) – An emotional debate is unfolding in Mogadore over what to do about an exploding population of feral cats, leading to numerous complaints about the mess and smell created by the untamed cats

FOX 8 asked how it became such a big problem in a small town of 3,800 residents.

“People feed the cats but don’t fix them and obviously that creates a problem,” said animal rights activist Jill Kirsch.

As part of a plan to address the overpopulation of feral cats, Mogadore Village Council voted in May to ban the feeding of the cats, making it a misdemeanor, punishable by a $150 fine.

“If they wouldn’t have anything to eat, they wouldn’t stay there, but they’re eating and they’re staying there because they always come back for the food,” Mogadore Mayor Mike Rick said.

But in response, Kirsch said, “it doesn’t work. People are still going to feed them, they feel sorry for them.”

As part of the cat control legislation approved by council, the village also agreed to pay a $25 fee charged by Summit County Animal Control every time a Mogadore taxpayer drops off a feral cat at the animal shelter.

The shelter acknowledged that some of the cats would be euthanized and others would be rehabilitated and put up for adoption.

“I think that council just felt that the $25 fee might be discouraging some of them and these people were asking for help, so council thought they would help them out with that,” said Mayor Rick.

Since the program began in May, officials say Mogadore residents have turned over 20 cats to Summit County Animal Control.

The mayor says 15 of the cats were euthanized and five were rehabilitated and then put up for adoption.

A national organization, called Alley Cat Allies, calls the $25 payments offered by Mogadore a “bounty” on the head of every feral cat in the village, and their supporters are sending letters and emails to the mayor’s office.

“Any time an animal is killed, obviously I can understand why people are upset. Is the village or myself happy or sad about it? I’m not happy about this, you know, I’m not jumping for joy over getting these cats out of here and obviously we would prefer that they not be put to sleep,” Mayor Rick said.

Meanwhile, Kirsch, who also runs an organization called Cripple Creek Ferals and Friends, based in Hartville, says the approach taken by Mogadore is inhumane and maintains it will not work.

Instead, she recommends a more humane strategy called “trap, neuter and return.”

“You have the cats on a regular feeding schedule, you set the traps, catch the cats, take them to clinic, they’re spayed, neutered, vaccinated and then returned after they recover,” she said.

Kirsh and other animal rights activists are now urging Mogadore to accept offers from a veterinary clinic in Canton to trap and neuter the cats for the same $25 fee and then return them to Mogadore, which they say will eventually cause the feral population to naturally decline.

“People want to help these cats. They don’t want them destroyed for merely existing,” said Kirsch.

When asked about the offer for assistance from the veterinary clinic, the mayor of Mogadore says he is open-minded about any proposal that will help solve the overpopulation issue.

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