Addressing feral cat issues

by Mark Dykes

Feral cats are becoming quite an issue in Thermopolis, and Animal Control Officer Ame Logwell estimated there were about 1,500, not counting East Thermopolis. In her counts, she noted, she follows guidelines to try to identify colonies. “We have some pretty large colonies,” she said, with the two biggest in Hot Springs State Park and on the south end of Sixth Street.

Longwell said she also has a long list of people who have been calling about feral cat problems in their own homes, as there have been incidences where the cats are friendly enough to enter homes through pet doors but not friendly enough to be caught or herded out of the homes. Longwell also added she hasn’t heard any reports of people being injured by the cats.

“I have a list going of who needs cat traps,” Longwell said, “and my job is to deal with the feral cats by setting traps.” She is trapping, but is limited to the time she can set the traps as she is dispatching and also has to work with the vet clinic and the hours there. Longwell further explained when she traps a cat she takes it into the vet, who evaluates it to determine if it’s a cat that had a home and needs its owner located or whether the cat could be adopted.

Many of the trapped cats have issues such as crossed eyes, extra toes and signs of inbreeding. She noted having too many feral cats can bring disease.

Many people feel sorry for the cats and are feeding them, Longwell said, and if the cats eat well then they reproduce. She pointed out one female cat can go into heat three times per year with 12 babies each litter, making for a possible 36 cats each year from one female.

Those who are having issues with feral cats and would like some traps can call 864-3114. Longwell pointed out the list is long so it could be a while before she can get to people’s homes. The traps are humane, she said, and she avoids placing them during the colder months so trapped cats don’t freeze. During the warm months, she tries to set them at night as there’s a better chance to catch them, then checks the devices early in the morning. She puts the traps in less obvious places so they aren’t accidentally trapped, but if people spot a trapped cat they can call 864-3114 to report it.

When planning to set traps, Longwell said she visits with neighbors to determine which cats are domestic. She also notifies people where she’s trapping to keep their pets indoors if possible.

The trapping of the cats is really an effort to make the community healthier for the cats and for domesticated pets.

“Our intention is not to take people’s pets,” Longwell said. “Our intention is to try and keep their pets safe and one of the ways we have to do that is try and control the population of feral cats so disease doesn’t spread.”