Editorial
Euthanasia for population control does not work, Grady. Polk County Animal Control’s own stats show over 21,000 cats have been killed since 2018.
If it did work, there would be a lot fewer Community Cats after at least 5 years.
TNR is the only solution.
In May 2023 alone they killed 119 dogs and 364 cats. 483 animals. 16 animals PER DAY.
While that statistic is alarmingly sad, a more glaring statistic stands out. 1792 dogs and 2450 cats were confiscated or brought in as “strays” during the first 5 months of 2023.
4242 animals that once had inside homes or at least outside homes as Community Cats.
That statistic may be a statement of the carelessness of Polk County residents. But when you dig deeper and see that only 23% of those dogs and 2% of cats are ever returned to their owners, that statistic reflects a lack of urgency to get these animals back home by Polk Animal Control.
High fines, lack of business hours to accommodate the public, lack of proactive searching for homes while in the field, and continued confiscation of ear-tipped Community Cats all contribute to this low Return to Owner percentage.
Citations, fines, and blaming the public are not working.
How about transparency, education, and cooperation?
It’s time to try something else, as the status quo is not working.