Whereas the Town of Salina has been trapping cats, including pets, we, the undersigned, demand the Town cease and desist for the following reasons:

1.       Owners are not notified of any complaints either before or after trapping.

2.       Neither owners nor neighbors are notified that trapping is in progress.

3.       Owners are not notified that their pet has been taken or where it may be found - it simply disappears.

4.       Since cats are considered "property" in this country, the Town is therefore guilty of seizing taxpayer “property” for no reason, with no notification, and without due process.

5.       The ACO is unfamiliar with cats or cat behavior. The cat is lured to the trap by bait – as any animal would be – then is deemed “guilty” because it went into the trap.

6.       The ACO is unfamiliar with proper trapping procedures.

a.       A trap should be monitored and immediately covered once a cat is caught, otherwise it may be injured by thrashing around.

b.      A trap should be monitored and immediately removed once a cat is caught, otherwise it may be injured by animals or people.

c.       A trap should never be set or left out in plain sight as the cat, once caught may be injured by people or stolen.

d.      A trap should be set in such a way and in such a place as to protect the cat from the elements.

7.       The Town, by these methods, is exacerbating any feelings of ill-will in the neighborhood; problems should be resolved in an adult manner, utilizing mediation if necessary.

8.       The cat is delivered to the CNYSPCA, where it is neither checked for a microchip nor treated for any injuries resulting from the trapping.

9.       The owner, who has been deprived of his/her “property” with no reason given has to pay “bail” to retrieve it, if fortunate enough to find the cat at the SPCA, in addition to possible vet bills for injuries sustained.

10.   The taxpayers pay $150 for each cat thus taken to the SPCA.

11.   The taxpayers may be liable for injuries to owners’ pets.

12.   More effective, less expensive methods of controlling populations and responding to complaints have been offered to the Town.

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