Members of the Alberta Animal Rescue Care Society (AARCS) arrived in the Village of Rockyford on Tuesday, August 16 to help deal with a stray and feral cat population the village has been dealing with for a number of years.
The issue has been brought before council previously for discussion and deliberation and, in June, information was shared on the village website and social media on tips and tricks for residents to deter cats from their properties.
“All of the rescue societies have been in the news over the last few months stating they are over full (capacity) and unable to do spay/neuter clinics due to overcrowding, so I did not reach out to them,” shares Rockyford Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Lori Miller.
She says she has received multiple phone calls and letters from residents regarding the issue since starting in her role in April. Ms. Miller adds she has been informed AARCS was contacted by a resident of the village.
Over 70 cats were trapped during AARCS visit to the village and will be spayed or neutered. Kittens will be domesticated and placed for adoption, while adult cats will either be returned to the village or placed in the AARCS “Barn Buddies” program; this program is for cats not suited to life as a companion animal, previously considered “unadoptable,” and pairs them with property owners who will provide food, water, and a heated, secure outdoor shelter, such as a barn or workshop.
