The humane way: Terre Haute begins program to curb feral cat population

PetSmart Charities, a philanthropic arm of the pet goods retailer, gave the city $28,500 to launch a trap, neuter and release program, which began this week. Volunteers will pick up cats, provide transport to local veterinarians and return the animals to owners free of charge.

“That’s really the only solution,” said Laurie Tharp, superintendent of Terre Haute Police Department’s code enforcement division. “Taking cats out one at a time and destroying them isn’t really the answer.”

As ongoing problems with feral or roaming cats leave local animal shelters overwhelmed, Tharp said the city had talked about ways to reduce the stray population. She said the city receives 100 to 150 calls each year to pick up cats. Several other Hoosier municipalities, including Indianapolis, also offer the program.

Once the money is exhausted, the city can receive up to $100,000 per year for up to two consecutive years, Tharp said.

“We’re hoping that the spay/neuter will calm [the cats] down and they’ll be more apt to stay on their own property and not roam,” she said.

Residents who want cats picked up can email tnrterrehaute@gmail.com. 

After the cat is spayed or neutered, it will receive a rabies shot and be ear-tipped to indicate it has been fixed. 

Animal control will not become involved in the call unless the cat is a nuisance to neighbors.

The city also is looking for volunteers to help with the program. Those interested can find more information through the gmail address.

Tom Hopkins, a Farrington’s Grove resident and board member of the local spay/neuter league, is one of the program’s first volunteers. He brought two of his six cats, Penelope and Princess, to a check presentation ceremony at PetSmart.

He said he’s rescued over 150 cats since moving from Chicago several years ago.

“Grew up a pet lover and saw the shelter was constantly overwhelmed,” Hopkins said.

He said some of the cats would be housed and cared for in his basement until their vet appointments and would return there to recover before going home.

Tom Balduf, who retired from the Terre Haute Humane Society, said he became involved with the program because of his compassion for animals, particularly cats.

“We want to see Terre Haute free of stray cats,” he said.

PetSmart Charities has helped rescue 400,000 to 500,000 animals in the U.S., said Gordon Simpson, local PetSmart manager. Proceeds for the grant came from customer donations nationwide.

“We’re very, very excited to help out our local community with this grant,” Simpson said during the presentation ceremony.

Stacey Johnson, another volunteer, said the program is a win-win situation for solving the stray problem while ensuring cats live in a caring home.

“They don’t have to be out in the cold with a litter of kittens,” she said.