County isn't helping feral cat problem

I'm writing in response to a couple of articles that have recently been in the newspapers; the first being "Feral cats set up camp in forest preserves."

These cats did not set up camp there and the majority of these cats are domesticated animals that have been dumped there by irresponsible and heartless people.

The article stated that Drew Ulberg, director of natural resources for the Kane County Forest Preserve District would like to have a two-year study done to determine how the feral cats impact the small mammal population - at a cost of $33,600. What are these cats supposed to eat now that they have suddenly been left to fend for themselves for food? John Hoscheit, forest commission president, was correct when he replied "Animal rights activists may have a problem with this."

We feel that the most logical and humane thing that should be done would be to spend this money on spaying and neutering these cats to stop them from reproducing, which the county has ignored requests to do. So I can't wait to find out if they will actually spend $33,600 to find out just how many mammals these cats will consume.

Finally, there have been several reports of a black panther type cat sighted in the southwest Elgin area on several different occasions since January of this year. If animal control needs some help in catching this animal and would let us gals use a tranquilizer gun rather then kill this animal, we'd be willing to help before someone gets attacked or even killed.

More than likely some idiot at some point had this animal as a pet and then decided to just dump it, without any concern for this animal's welfare, or for the concern of a human life or of any other animals that may be attacked by this animal. Someone out there knows who the person is and needs to report him.

C.J. Schultz

Guardian Angels Feline Rescue

South Elgin