Hello. I was wondering what can be done with several stray cats
(no collars) in the neighborhood.
“Hello. I was wondering what can be done with several stray cats (no collars) in the neighborhood. I already contacted Gilroy Police Department about the cat issue. They told me they can issue me a cat trap. However, once the cat is trapped, I am on my own because they do not pick up or accept cats. I was not satisfied with the response so I contacted San Martin Animal Shelter and they told me they do not pickup or accept animals from Gilroy. I tried the Humane Society of Silicon Valley and they also do not accept animals from Gilroy because there is no contract with our city. Is there a solution for the stray animals in Gilroy?”
Red Phone: Dear Cat Catcher, The question of what to do with stray animals doesn’t have an easy answer. Unfortunately with city budget cutbacks, our feline friends tend to be forgotten. Neither the San Martin Animal Shelter nor the San Benito County Animal Shelter have room for cats, said Police Sgt. Wes Stanford.
“Many weekdays and most weekends, the Gilroy Police Department’s kennel facility is at capacity,” Stanford said. “Considering we just doubled the size of the kennel and only accept dogs, one can see what an animal problem we deal with. We simply do not have the staffing, financial or housing resources to deal with stray cats.”
If you don’t have a relative or know someone who wants a cat, there are some other options for places to take cats you catch, said GPD Animal Control Officer Maria Cabatingan.
The closest option is Town Cats in Morgan Hill, a non-profit volunteer organization that sponsors adoption fairs and finds homes for stray cats. To volunteer or to donate a cat for adoption, call 779-5761 or visit www.towncats.org.
You also might want to check out the Cat Resource Center at 335-4357 or www.catcenter.org or the Monterey SPCA at (831) 373-2631 or www.spcamc.org.
“I can sympathize with the caller’s frustration regarding what to do with a cat once it is trapped,” Stanford said. “I believe the best course of action would be to call one of the above listed organizations and have an idea for arrangements before the feral or stray cat is trapped.”
Remember as Bob Barker used to say on “The Price is Right”, make sure to have your pets spayed or neutered. If each person does his or her part, there will be fewer feral cats running around.
Trees need trimming
“There are some dangerous trees overhanging the tennis courts on the east boundary at El Roble Park. They have grown like crazy. The courts are not used that much. They are in pretty bad shape with cracks. But if there is someone out there, the trees are a danger and need to be trimmed back pretty severely.”
Red Phone: Dear Cutting Back, City staff took a look at the area at El Roble Park and will prune the overhanging branches back this week, said Parks and Landscape Supervisor Bill Headley. So hopefully that will help ease the problem.
