Strategies to address cat overpopulation will be on the agenda at the Guelph Humane Society’s annual general meeting this week.
In advance of the meeting, members of the OVC community are invited to attend a keynote address by Barbara Cartwright, chief executive officer of the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS). In a talk titled “Cats in Canada – a community in crisis and the humane response,” Cartwright will discuss the findings of a multi-stakeholder report issued recently by the CFHS on the crisis of cat overpopulation in Canada.
The talk will take place Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in Room 1800 of the Pathobiology / AHL building. To attend the talk, you MUST obtain a FREE ticket by ordering online at: www.ghspresents.eventbrite.caor calling 519 824 3091.
The CFHS report says the animal sheltering system is at, or dangerously over, capacity to care for the cats. Cats are twice as likely as dogs to end up abandoned at a shelter or rescue. Some of these cats are surrendered pets, others are found as strays. Cats entering the sheltering system have less than a one per cent chance of being reunited with their families, compared to 30 per cent of dogs. The research estimates more than 600,000 homeless cats in shelters did not find new homes in 2011.
“We need to reduce the number of unwanted cats, to get more lost cats back home and to increase the number of homes willing to adopt! We undertook this research to better understand the negative consequences of cat overpopulation including homelessness, overburdened shelters, animal control and rescues, and euthanasia for space and illness,” said Cartwright. “This report compiles the data from 478 stakeholders across the country including humane societies, SPCAs, municipalities, veterinarians, rescues, trap-neuter-return groups and spay/neuter organizations.”
Following Cartwright’s address, the Guelph Humane Society will announce plans to address these issues in Guelph.
“We intend to develop a community-based, multi-disciplinary plan that we know will have the support of the majority of the community and that addresses the unique needs in our community,” said Michelle Gellatly, the Guelph Humane Society’s new executive director.