I’ve just learned Antioch caved to the pressure some cat lovers put on politicians, who decided to allow them to trap-neuter-reIMPOSE.
I am a long-time member of the American Bird Conservancy in Chicago who values almost all birds (no pigeons, grey gulls, or English sparrows please) over any outdoor cat. It’s bad enough there are neighborhoods here that are overrun by cats, even though the City has long had a ordinance, little used, which is supposed to compel all pet owners to leash and restrain their creatures. Many think it doesn’t apply to cats when it always has.
There are some who still don’t know – or care – about the science-based evidence used, most recently by the state of New York, where the governor correctly called out feral cats “guardians” and told them in no uncertain terms that ferals are not, in fact, wildlife. Cats are invasive predators, and our native animals largely have no defenses against them.
My husband and I are starting to talk about where to retire with our City pensions, and I guarantee you it will not be backwards Antioch.
At least I found out before we bought anything, so we can instead look for and support a place where people value the nature that belongs!
majaramirez 