Letter: Vote 'No' to Feral Feeding Ban in Radnor Township

I write to shed light on the proposed Radnor Township amendment of ordinance 115, a ban on feeding feral cats, which may be considered at the April 11 Board of Commissioners meeting. There is no scientific evidence indicating the starving of animals assists in curbing the transfer disease to humans. Feeding bans do not work. Verne Smith, assistant dean for business and administration at Widener University School of Law has researched and written extensively on the subject in an article “The Law and Feral Cats” published in University of Pennsylvania’s Journal of Animal Law and Ethics.

Documented research indicates the best way to protect the community and curb disease in feral cats is through trap, neuter, release and management programs. Known as TNRM, these programs:

• Trap stray and feral cats
• Insure they are given proper medical care and immunizations
• Have stray animals neutered
• Then, either socialize the animal and put it up for adoption
• Or, release the cat to a managed feral colony

In order for TNRM programs to be successful, colony caretakers need to be free to monitor the released feral animals. Through daily feedings, the colonies can be observed and any sick or injured animals removed for medical attention. The current proposed feeding ban ordinance serves to punish feral caretakers for feeding cats with fines up to $1,000 and 30 days in jail.

Feeding bans are barbaric. Starving an animal will only force the creature to rummage through trash bins where it is more likely to encounter diseased animals such as raccoons and other rodents.

Please ask your Radnor Township commissioners to vote “NO” to the amendment of ordinance 115. There is no rabies pandemic in Radnor Township. Even if there were, a feeding ban would not be an effective solution. Radnor Township commissioners need to know that favoring this ordinance just to have “some kind of recourse” in handing feral cats, is shabby legislation. Instead, Radnor Township should take the time to do the “right thing” and develop an effective and humane ordinance based on successful TNRM science and research. They should not take the quick and easy way out put into effect an incomprehensive ordinance that makes Radnor Township appear uninformed, irresponsible, and uncivilized.

Thank you.

Kathy Siciliano
Rosemont