Feral cat group to expand

After a litter of stray kittens was born in the bushes outside her Vernon Hills home, Julie Wheeler says she became hooked on helping the cats and others like them.

Six years later, Stay and Spay, a volunteer group that practices the trap-neuter-return method of controlling the growth of wild or feral cats, wants to expand its reach.

How that should be done is the question. The organization has invited veterinarians, local politicians and others to brainstorm Sept. 10. About three dozen have accepted, she said.

"We feel the need to grow but we want to do it in a graceful manner to meet the needs of the county," said Wheeler, the secretary/treasurer of the not-for-profit group.

Organizers hope an advisory committee can determine what those needs are and how holes in service can be filled.

Feral cats may be abandoned domestic cats or house cats that have been allowed outside and got lost. These free roamers can become a problem by making noise or generally creating a nuisance.

The group tries to control the population of wild cats by having the cats neutered and by providing vaccinations and other basic medical care.

The approach is considered a "humane alternative" to cat overpopulation.

"We figure we've prevented 10,000 (births) per breeding season," according to Wheeler. "We had a big day yesterday (Sunday) - 54 cats spayed and neutered."

Despite the group's efforts, Wheeler estimated there are about 20,000 feral cats in Lake County. And the number is increasing.

"What happens a lot of times is people get tired of their cats. The shelters are overrun with people who have lost their homes," and have no place for their animals, she said.

Dealing with feral cats can be a controversial topic, regulated in some area and not others.

"It's an approach to controlling the feral cat population some people think is great and some aren't as concerned about," said Anthony Smithson, director of environmental health services for the Lake County Health Department.

Last month, the Hanover Park village board for example, passed an ordinance allowing volunteers to became feral cat colony caretakers.

Nearly three years ago, the McHenry County Department of Health's rules were changed to make it unlawful for anyone to intentionally provide food, water or other sustenance to feral cats unless the cat is part of an approved feral cat colony. Colonies must be registered with an approved animal shelter.

Spay and Stay operates under agreements with communities, Wheeler said, and offers a program for caretakers. There are 468 registered caretakers in Lake County.

Smithson said the health department, which is responsible for animal control services, has no official program but tries to maintain a good relationship with Spay and Stay.

"My philosophy heretofore has been it can't really hurt anything," he said.