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Virginia

Hundreds Of Feral Cats To Be Trapped And Killed In Chantilly Trailer Park

March 13, 2008 : 10:32 AM

Despite residents’ work with Bethesda-based Alley Cat Allies since 2002 to control the stray and feral cat population within the trailer park, the management of The Meadows of Chantilly has decided to go ahead with a plan that calls for the trapping of over 200 stray and feral cats who will be taken to a local shelter and put down. This plan is scheduled to go into effect beginning next week.

By Julie Flinn, Best Friends Network Volunteer

Many residents within the park help to trap, spay or neuter and release the cats in conjunction with Ally Cat Allies in an effort to control the population. Alley Cat Allies estimate they’ve spent about $8,000.00 over the past several years spaying and neutering the cats in the park. Becky Robinson, President of Ally Cat Allies, believes that there is a better solution than trapping and euthanizing the cats and would like a chance to talk to the management company before any final decisions are made.

The issue of the cats has long divided the residents of the trailer park. Many residents feed the cats and have created shelters for them, some of whom are left behind by their owners when they leave the park. Other residents feel that they are a nuisance who destroy the gardens, kill birds and create an unsanitary environment with their urine and feces. The management company feels that the cats impede their ability to sell manufactured homes in the neighborhood and would like to see them gone.

Please help to save the cats by sending a letter to Chicago-based owners, Equity LifeStyle Properties and letting them know that you are upset and disagree with their decision to trap the cats and put them down. Alley Cat Allies have set up a webpage and action letter to make it easy to let your voice be heard. Please go to Alley Cat Allies and send a letter immediately. Please also send a message directly to property manager Taunya Wiseman at taunya_wiseman@mhchomes.com

To see the full article in the Washington Post, by Annie Gowen, please go here.

To read a related article on the BF Network Chicago community, click here

Photo courtesy of Best Friends Network Volunteers

Article posted by Brandi Bennett, Best Friends Network

Comments

March 16, 2008 at 10:21 AM
posted by: crazycatladylw

Please see the link, below. Alley Cat Allies has scored yet another victory for the cats. YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://action.alleycat.org/c.mmL3KgN3LzH/b.806667/k.9ED9/Action_Center/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=mmL3KgN3LzH&b=806667&aid=9970

There's a link within the story to click on if you would like to be involved in the effort.

Let's help make this happen!!!!!

March 14, 2008 at 8:46 PM
posted by: Kitty10

This is horrible, i am sooo upset about this.. This so called person in authority is a monster... He needs to be stopped some kind of way. These poor fur babies should not be made marters (sp).I wished the kitties could be trapped by people & move them out of there before his trappers come in.. His state sounds like china & the impending sports events..That has cause them to kill thousands.. Murder is murder, wheather it is 200 or 200,000

March 14, 2008 at 4:42 PM
posted by: kycady

This is really way too bad. One question, as a pointer for others in other States. Did ACA have any sort of legal contract worked out with this Management company before investing the money to control the colony? Was there a verbal agreement or timeline? I'd love to know the details for work in TN. Thank you, Kim (TN Community Team Leader)