Animal Welfare Groups Protest JFK’s Stray Cat Roundup
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey not only are trying to fight terrorism, but they also are fighting against feral cats that live around Kennedy International Airport.
A colony of about 50 to 75 cats live in a parking lot near Building 67 at JFK Airport, which is part of the Delta Airlines cargo area. The cats have been cared for by airport employees and workers with cat rescue groups. Animal welfare groups have also taken many of the cats to get spayed or neutered. The colony sleeps in plastic packing containers and play around an old fuel tanker truck.
But now the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has prevented animal welfare groups from caring for the cats. Cat rescue workers and volunteers said that they were told if they did show up, they would be arrested.
A Port Authority spokesman said the colony of cats will be rounded up in the next few days and will be turned over to Animal Care and Control. He said none will be killed.
The spokesman added, “It’s a sizable population, and it’s creating a hazard for the aircraft. We wouldn’t for a second jeopardize the safety of the 46 million-plus passengers who use J.F.K. every year.â€
He also stated that when food is being left out cats, this attracts other animals like rodents and birds, and birds can cause a problem by flying into aircraft engines.
But animal welfare groups disagree with the Port Authority’s actions. They also believe that the cats will be euthanized instead of being adopted into new homes.
“The Port Authority’s claim that feeding these cats is attracting large numbers of birds who, in turn, could bring down a jet is beyond absurd,” according to Bryan Kortis, Executive Director of Neighborhood Cats, a leading cat advocacy group. “There isn’t any food left for the birds and, besides, cats have been at JFK for decades. Now all of a sudden when concerned groups want to neuter and care for these cats, they’re a security threat. The public needs to let Port Authority know loud and clear we’re not as stupid as they think and won’t buy their concocted justification for needlessly killing these animals.”
UPDATE: Animal Care and Control of New York City, the organization that is supposed to take the cats, admitted that most of the cats will be euthanized. They said because the cats are feral and they don’t have enough resources to rehabilitate the cats, most likely the cats will be put down.
Source: New York Times, New York Post
(Thanks Tanya)
October 26th, 2007 at 6:12 pm
IN DEFENSE OF ANIMALS ACTION ALERT:
Departure Delayed! Protest the Killing of Cats at JFK Airport by Port Authority
What: In Defense of Animals (IDA) / Neighborhood Cats
Protest of JFK Airport
Feral Cat Extermination
Date: Monday October 29, 2007
Time: 12:00-1:00pm (Rain or shine!)
Location: Port Authority of NY and NJ Headquarters
225 Park Ave South (between 18th &19th Streets, just north of Union Square)
Manhattan
It’s crucial to keep the heat on starting again on Monday, so we’re taking to the streets! Most importantly, bring yourself, especially at noon. And if you can, break out those cat ears, claws and tails (good visuals!) and make
your own posters (we’ll provide some, too). Time to bare our teeth and claws and let the Port Authority know they work for US and we won’t tolerate the senseless eradication of cats in our city!!
For more info:
headcat@neighborhoodcats.org
eastcoast@idausa.org
212-662-5761
from Neighborhood Cats:
They’re telling callers that none of the 50 to 75 feral cats slated for trapping this weekend will be not (sic) killed but will all be adopted into homes - yeah, right! Please call or write again and tell them you don’t buy it - boy, they
think we’re real dumb. Cats down jets and ferals are all quickly adoptable.
Press links are below, plus story will be on local radio and TV. Keep the heat on!
WHO TO CONTACT:
Susan Baer, General Manager, JFK Airport
sbaer@panynj.gov
718-244-3501
Laura Francoeur, Aeronautical Services,
Airport Operations Division
Phone: 718-244-3773
Fax: 718-244-3777
lfrancoe@panynj.gov
Public Affairs (Port Authority)
212 435-7777
NY POST
nypost.com/seven/10262007/news/regionalnews/fur_flies_at_jfk.htm
For Letter to the Editor (Include contact info.) : letters@nypost.com
NEWSDAY
www.newsday.com/news/local/wir.....26,0,33602
4.story
For Letter to the Editor: letters@newsday.com
STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE (AP article)
http://www.silive.com/newsflas.....855129960.
xml&storylist=simetro
To Submit a Letter to the Editor, Go To:
http://www.silive.com/contactus/
GOTHAMIST
http://gothamist.com/2007/10/2.....danger.php
October 26th, 2007 at 11:27 pm
The airport doesn’t sound like a great place for cats. And the relocation plan is…?
October 27th, 2007 at 12:39 am
The Port Authority is removing the cats; the cats that can be adopted will be, but feral cats are impossible to adopt out and will probably be euthanized. The cats, by the way, have been there for a long time. This isn’t something that happened overnight.
October 27th, 2007 at 2:13 am
I think it is disgrace, people are caring fr these animals, they should be offered if they want thecats, which they will, others should be taken to NON killing shelters!
October 27th, 2007 at 9:16 am
I wish there was a better place for these cats. For heavens sake, let the rescuers trap, neuter/spay and relocate those cats to a safer environment. They don’t deserve to die!
October 27th, 2007 at 10:52 pm
>
yeah right….they can’t even get adopted out tame cats….they are ALWAYS euthanizing for space.
Elizabeth shelter in NJ is a shit hole….ACC in NYC is no better, and they are always killing them right and left as well.
October 28th, 2007 at 7:48 am
Sounds like the animal control in Puerto Rico, are you sure they aren’t going to throw them off a cliff? if they have been there for years, how come they are a hazard now? oh that’s right, the people who are supposed to be fighting terrorism have nothing better to do then kill cats who aren’t hurting anyone. Our government tax dollars at work. I’m so glad they are protecting me from feral cats instead of terrorists.
October 28th, 2007 at 7:48 am
Sounds like the animal control in Puerto Rico, are you sure they aren’t going to throw them off a cliff? if they have been there for years, how come they are a hazard now? oh that’s right, the people who are supposed to be fighting terrorism have nothing better to do then kill cats who aren’t hurting anyone. Our government tax dollars at work. I’m so glad they are protecting me from feral cats instead of terrorists.
October 28th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
WTF is with this seemingly recent anti-TNR trend? I don’t get it. There are people looking after these animals and trying to bring the numbers down as well as fight disease among the animals.
Why is it a problem NOW, if this colony has been there for DECADES?
What a load of crap!
These people suck!
~The Lioness
October 28th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
[…] wrote an interesting post today on Animal Welfare Groups Protest JFK’s Stray Cat RoundupHere’s a quick […]
October 29th, 2007 at 1:22 pm
What happened? Someone watch Cats On A Plane! and get worried about the threat?