Ripley neighbourhood over-run by cats
By Liz Dadson
 

Huron-Kinloss Council

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A neighbourhood in Ripley is being over-run by cats.

Three residents came to Huron-Kinloss council Wednesday night (Sept. 9), asking the township to do something. They said the cats are starving and are running all over the place looking for food. The animals' owner has abandoned the property which has no hydro or water so the cats are trying to get into the neighbours' houses because they are used to being fed.

The residents said the police and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) have been called and were to arrive at the abandoned property Thursday (Sept. 10). However, they said, the SPCA can take only so many animals. Besides, many of the cats are sick and may be beyond help, they said.

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10/09/2009 10:46 PM

The roaming cats mean that the neighbours cannot enjoy their backyards. They can't sit out on their decks or let their children play outside. "The situation is out of control," they said, adding that the owner of the animals is a "cat hoarder" but isn't taking care of them anymore.

"This is the first I've heard of this issue," said mayor Mitch Twolan.

Councillor Jim Hanna suggested setting traps on the neighbours' properties, catching the cats and then having them euthanized. "Whatever the SPCA will take, fine; then we'll take care of the rest," he said. "We will deal with this problem. We can't ignore it."