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PACT addresses West Central Municipal Conference

On September 18, 2003, PACT addressed the West Central Municipal Conference, which includes mayors from 37 of Chicago's western suburbs, to introduce Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR).

Like all mayors, Chicago's west suburban mayors face many daily challenges meeting demands of their constituents, including complaint calls about free-roaming outdoor cats. 

Most municipalities offer residents two options for feral cats:

  • trap and kill
  • do nothing

Trap and kill is cruel, ineffective and expensive to taxpayers, costing about $75 per cat in the Chicago area just for the veterinarian to administer the lethal injection.  That cost does not include the Animal Control Officer's time, police department's time, or resources such as vehicles or facilities.  Think about it -- municipalities have been using "trap and kill" for decades -- and the problem has gotten worse.

Many progressive municipalities across the U.S. are turning to Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), the only safe, humane, non-lethal and effective method of feral cat overpopulation control.  TNR is an important component in a comprehensive cat overpopulation program that includes humane education stressing the necessity for spaying/neutering all domesticated pets, among others.

All mayors in attendance received a packet of information that included:

  • a 9-minute videotape from Alley Cat Allies that includes interviews with officials in towns where TNR has been successful, including Atlantic City, NJ -- home of "The Boardwalk";
  • information sheets from Alley Cat Allies and other sources
  • business cards of PACT Humane Society directors

PACT extended an invitation to address each town's city council and their residents at a town hall meeting.

If your town is listed below, your mayor received an information packet at the conference, or will receive one via mail if not in attendance.  If you are a feral cat caregiver in one of these towns, contact your mayor to request that they support TNR.

  • Bellwood

  • Berkeley

  • Berwyn

  • Broadview

  • Brookfield

  • Cicero

  • Countryside

  • Elmwood Park

  • Forest Park

  • Forest View

  • Franklin Park

  • Harwood Heights

  • Hillside

  • Hodgkins

  • Indian Head Park

  • LaGrange

  • LaGrange Park

  • Lyons

  • Lyons Township

  • Maywood

  • McCook

  • Melrose Park

  • Norridge

  • North Riverside

  • Oak Park

  • River Forest

  • River Grove

  • Riverside

  • Rosemont

  • Stickney

  • Stone Park

  • Summit

  • Westchester

  • Western Springs

  • Willow Springs

 

 

* Towns that have already asked PACT Humane Society representatives to address their city council and/or residents in a town hall meeting.