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Original printed byline: Stephen A.Brammeier
Historical June 1996 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
The King and Queen were seated in front of them. Dinner was brought in, but as the servants placed the dishes before us, huge rats ran out from all sides, seized the food, and made off with it.
We asked the King and Queen why they stood it, and the King replied, “Stand it, indeed! Have 1 not offered half my treasure for anything that can rid us of these terrible pests? Still no one has found such a thing. “…1 sent one of the sailors to the ship to fetch Dick’s cat.
When Tabby was brought in, you should have seen her.
She leaped out of his arms, and in a few minutes had killed all the rats and mice in the room and was busy watching at their holes for any others that might appear.
The King was overjoyed.
From Dick Whittington and His Cat as retold by May Hill.
We have a problem in our neighborhood, but it is not the rats. It’s cats.
I understand there is a large feral cat population in the alleys of the 6000 and 6100 blocks of Washington and Westminster. One neighbor told me that last year he trapped 14 wild cats. Apparently these cats are bold enough, primarily at night, to intimidate people and their pets in backyards.
I have not been down these alleys yet to witness the feline display, but Laure Porterfield from the SkinkerDeBaliviere Community Council tells me that when she finally convinced someone from St. Louis City Rabies Control to investigate the situation, they were shocked.
I have had various experiences with feral cats; they can be dangerous, but with patience, many of them can be tamed, especially kittens.
However, trying to trap and tame such a large population would be a daunting task. And, the proverbial farm in the country that would be happy to have our unwanted cats, does not exist.
I am willing to help formulate a plan that would humanely reduce the feral cat population.
I have read about veterinarians that have par-. ticipated in “sterilization and release” programs. Certainly all the cats could not be trapped, sterilized, and released, but it might work for a few.
After all, if all the cats were removed, would not the rodent population increase? I’ve spoken with a representative from Cat Network, an independent rescue organization.
They would be willing to lend their expertise as we address the situation. Perhaps concerned individuals in the neighborhood could get together for a discussion of the problem and we could invite someone from Cat Network to attend.
If you are interested in addressing the feral cat problem you can call me at Kingsbury Animal Hospital, 721-6251 or call the SDCC office at 862-5122.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, June 1996.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1996_06.pdf, printed page(s) 6; PDF page(s) 6.
