How can we protect our most valuable resource, our minds, from decision fatigue while ensuring #allthecats and #allthekittens get to the right outcome as quickly as possible? Most importantly, how can we empower our staff to make decisions they feel good about and know will be supported?
In this webinar, Dr. Kate Hurley presents a map for the general rules of the great Cat Superhighway, as well as "exits" from the two default pathways. In recognition that even our understanding of the research and recommendations have changed in recent years, there will be time for discussion of the grey areas and how this applies in different communities.
Life is a highway and the cats are taking over the fast lane. Isn't it time we created a road map?
Assets
The MCC "Cat Superhighway" document
Chico Animal Shelter Cat Flowchart
Dr. Hurley's slides
Alachua Policy on Natural Areas
Alachua Audubon, Alachua County Animal Services, and our local animal welfare coalition met a few years ago to develop a policy on cats in natural areas. We all share a common goal of protecting wildlife while managing cat populations humanely.
The attached policy addresses cats in areas that are officially managed for conservation as well as areas that are not managed but may still be important to sensitive species (such as small urban parks where migratory song birds might stop over).
The policy has strength in its simplicity and its flexibility. Anyone can report a concern, which would then be assessed and a mitigation plan developed in collaboration with community stakeholders. It’s been in place for 2 years, but not one cat has been reported in sensitive areas yet. In many communities like ours, cats congregate around human establishments and areas where there is overfeeding, not in uninhabited natural areas.
- Dr. Julie Levy