Why not have a checkoff on the Delaware income tax form for spaying/neutering of feral cats and other wilds? The state would collect money contributed through the forms, and a volunteer group could decide which agencies and rescue groups got the money.
On this year's tax form, 10 groups had checkoffs for contributions. They were: Non-Game Wildlife, U.S. Olympics, Emergency Housing, Children's Trust, Breast Cancer Education, Organ Donations, Diabetes Education, Veterans Home, Delaware National Guard and Juvenile Diabetes Fund. All worthy causes, but why not add another choice?
The House passed a bill in January that would allow a checkoff for Delaware Special Olympics.
How much money could this mean? In 1999, Delaware's state wildlife administrator said the checkoff for Non-Game Wildlife generated $40,000 to $50,000 a year. That kind of money could spay or neuter a lot of wild animals, and not take money out of vets' pockets because they don't usually handle feral or other wild animals.
What do you think? If you want to contact your legislator, use this link to look up his or her phone number or e-mail address.
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2 comments:
a friend of mine who works with a rescue group says it cost $20-$35 to spay or neuter and give rabies shot to homeless/rescued cats & dogs. that money from a check-off sure wold handle a lot of them
A checkoff option would surely help offset the cost to neuter strays and supply a rabies vaccine. I agree that this is a good, albeit temporary solution.
Just exactly how long is one to expect a rabies shot to last? Two to three years from now, a feral cat or other animal can still contract and spread rabies.
Once the cuteness factor of a new puppy or kitten wears off, more pets than we care to think about are abandoned by the roadways and in rural areas. They're left to fend for themselves against truly wild animals that are and may be rabid.
I live in an area where there are many feral, stray, homeless and neglected cats. Each and every week a new homeless cat shows up. A a few residents may feed them on occasion, but these cats still become sick, harbor worms and carry an assortment of diseases that can be passed onto humans.
Each and every day I see these poor, so-called rescued(neutered) cats suffer from contagious eye infections, mange, ear mites, human inflicted injuries, feline leukemia/AIDS and who knows what else? It's truly heart breaking to see them suffer this way.
I guess we should all feel better now knowing that a stray/feral cat was neutered once upon a time...
Once a feral cat has been trapped, it's virtually impossible to trap them again for additional medical care. And exactly who is supposed to pay for that?
Are we supposed to keep our children and ourselves locked up to keep safe from possibly rabid and diseased animals?
In my opinion, returning a recently neutered animal to the wild once again, is incredibly cruel.
Can you imagine having to scavenge for your food in 10 degree weather with no shelter or place to be warm and dry? No? Well, those so-called kind folks who trap, neuter and release them seem to think it's ok - that is, as long as they don't have to see them showing up on their doorstep every day.
In all honestly, I have a very soft spot in my heart for critters of all types. However, when it concerns the health for myself, loved ones, and the community in general, I feel the checkoff box would be best put to use to euthanize the feral, homeless and forgotten animals (including cats) that can't be placed in adoptive, loving, responsible homes.
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