STAFF WRITER

 

NORTH BRUNSWICK: Township officials have shifted from a trap-and-return policy to a trap-and-remove policy for feral cats living in the woods before the Ramada Inn on Route 1.

 

Animal Lifesavers Pet Adoption Inc. of East Brunswick has until July 1 to have all remaining cats removed before an animal control officer will be instructed to destroy them.

 

In November 2003 when the population of cats was estimated to be between 50 and 100, Animal Lifesavers reached an informal agreement with the township and the property owner's representative to suspend enforcement for six months in accordance with certain conditions.

 

Animal Lifesavers was to reduce the cat population to 25, would provide medical care, vaccination, neutering and feeding of cats, and would initiate a trap, neuter, and return policy on an experimental basis.

 

Volunteers said then that most of the cats had no signs of rabies or other feline diseases, such as AIDS or leukemia. The most common illness was upper-respiratory infections, they said.

 

The group placed between 15 to 20 small houses, one in an igloo shape, for the cats. Bowls of water, dry and wet cat food were put near the houses and there was a feeding station deeper in the woods.

 

The township said the agreement was dependent upon no complaints from residents bordering the site and that the location would be reviewed in six months.

 

In the past six months, there have been complaints from four different residents about the cats.

 

Copyright 2004 Home News Tribune.