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November 9, 1998

Feral Cats on Campus

By Jay Brunn

Darting out from under a neighbouring car, a cat is the last thing you expect to see on cam- pus. A squirrel, robin, or even a mouse is con- ceivable, but a cat sym- bolizes everything that has been domesticated. UNBC is situated in the heart of the wild. Is it possible that this was only a random sighting? Not according to Anne Huitt, founder of the Alley Cat Society, who claims, “We've recently set up one shelter on campus and it already looks to be occupied by feral (wild) cats.”

Huitt’s society uses a “catch-and-release” pro- cedure as part of their program. “We _ utilize humane traps to capture the strays,” says Huitt, “The fearless are then spayed or neutered, cleaned up and released back into the wild.” Huitt claims that this method is the best way to main- tain feral populations. “If you kill a cat, a new cat will move into its territo- ry.

The principles that the Alley Cat Society are based on conflict with those values of the SPCA, who traps the ferals and destroys them if they cannot be placed in homes. According to Jeff Derksen, supervisor

at the SPCA, “It’s unfair to release the cats back into Prince George tough climate. We euth- anize, though we do it humanely, and we feel that's the more respon- sible way to go.”

“This process doesn't work,” claims Huitt, “because new cats just move in = and becomes a continuous cycle of trapping and killing.”

According to Dr. Arron Fotsch, a veterinarian with the All Mobile Veterinary Clinic, “Under optimal reproductive and health conditions, two cats can exponen- tially grow to over 11,000 cats in just five years.” Unlike dogs, who have a 14 day window every 6 months in which to become pregnant, Fotsch claims “Cats are induced ovulators. The female cat is ready to start the next litter as soon as the kittens have been weaned.”

Dr. Fotsch indicates it is difficult to determine the success of removing the feral cats from the wild and adopting them out. “It depends on the parent animal and how tolerant she is to people and how she responds to them, and also the amount of contact the kittens have with

Found on the timber edge near parking lot A, this is just one of several cats that calls UNBC their

home. Photo by Jay Brunn

this:

humans.”

Huitt agrees, “Adult cats, once they are feral, it's pretty hopeless. | have never been able to tame a feral cat. It is possible for the kittens to become house cats, however it requires a lot of time and patience.”

Although direct contact with feral cats is highly unlikely, there is still a health concern — sur- rounding their presence, especially with a day- care facility on Campus. Fotsch says “Feral cats may pass on diseases, not so much by physical contact, but if a cat gets into a sandbox, germs could be passed onto children.”

“Cats are essentially near the bottom of the pecking order,” says Fotsch. The survival fac- tor of feral cats is not only limited to environ- mental conditions and the cat's overall fitness, but also predators, for instance fox, lynx, dogs and large birds.

Anyone considering purchasing a cat or bringing their cat “Fluffy” from home should be prepared for a serious commitment. Huitt notes, “Cats are cute and they are nice to have for company, but you have to think of the cat long term. Owning a cat is at least a 15 year commitment.”

The argument of whether it is beneficial or not to release feral cats back into the wild is still under much debate. However, Fotsch notes, “Feral cats must be sur- viving as indicated by the number of repeat sightings.”

Low manpower, and an increasing number of feral cats on campus, has spurred the Alley Cat Society into starting a coalition at UNBC. Students interested in volunteering their time in any way can contact Anne Huitt at 564-0494,

rom Page

Medhurst indicated that roughly 40 the student population | are smok- ers. “There are approx- imately 1,000 peo- ple that smoke. Say they smoke 3 cigarettes a day, that’s 3,000 ciga- rette butts. |7 Now, | only estimate | half of them actually go in the con- tainers. You've got 1,500 ciga- rette butts on the floor everyday!”

Smokers

appear to have mixed emotions regarding the entire situ- ation. “I think it is ridicu-

lous.” claims Tom, a frustrated 2nd year stu- dent. “If they won't pro- vide us with indoor smoking, because of the climate we deal with here in Prince George, they should at least let us smoke outside wher- ever!”

In fact in 1994, when UNBC was under con- struction, a separate

percent of

building for smokers was considered. It was later determined to be

not feasible “It was esti- mated that facility would cost anywhere from $180,000 to $210,000 dollars just to supply a room that was totally isolated” claims Medhurst. It was further prevented, as any build- ings constructed by the Ministry must provide a smoke-free environment to the public.

Some of the student smokers | interviewed were quick to agree that the smoking activity is not aesthetically pleas-

j — eat 5: si Ae wd

Smokers gather at the main entrance near the library. This is one of the smoking zones to elimi- nated with the new recommendations from the President's Council Photo by Jay Brunn

ing “It does hurt the image of the university. If they can’t keep the

school!” In fact they were somewhat remorseful to the impact they were having on non-smok- 4ers “I feel bad for the non - smoker who has to sit out here and enjoy semi - clean air with everyone smoking in their face.” Medhurst concludes “We are a university that studies environmental studies and what this is, is detrimental to the environmental studies we are trying to teach!” Everyone on campus should expect to receive an e-mail from Godfrey Medhurst sometime this week outlining the rec- ommendations concern- ing smoking on campus.

Rememberance Day Ceremonies

By Jennifer Kirkey

Remembrance Day is November 11th. All across the country, ser- vices and ceremonies will be held to remem- ber the thousands of people who died defending our country and our freedom. If you are interested in attend- ing something on a more local scale, there will be two services - one at UNBC and one in Prince George.

The first Remembrance Day ser- vice in UNBC’s history will be held on November 10th. The event, which is being organized by Mike Peterson, is scheduled to begin at 9:00am in

the Northwood Wintergarden and is open to ail students. Wreaths donated by NUGSS, the Residence Council and the UNBC Faculty will be laid in the Wintergarden by repre- sentatives of each donating organization. In addition to the ser- vice, a member of the Royal Canadian Legion will be presenting a slide show on Remembrance Day in Room 6-222 at 9:30am Both these events are aimed at raising aware- ness of both Remembrance Day and the Legion’s Ceremony on November 11th.

On November 11th,

the Legion will hold their annual Remembrance Day service at the Prince George Civic Centre. After the ser- vice, at 10:45am, a small parade will go from the Civic Centre to the Cenotaph, where wreaths will be laid by local organizations. The procession will wind up at the Legion itself, which will be open to the general public for the remainder of the day. All of this starts at 9:20am however, the Legion requests that all attendees be seated by 9:15am. For more infor- mation, call the Legion at 562-1292.