This is a news article I'm C/P
High Cliff Estates in Milan has a couple dozen or more unwelcome residents — wild cats whose home base is outside an empty mobile home.
The unidentified owners, who are trying to sell the mobile home, return each day to set out food for the felines, much to the concern of neighbors complaining about dead cats, flea infestations, damage under their mobile homes and health hazards.
Residents have complained to Rock Island County, Milan and High Cliff officials with little success, until now.
Thursday, High Cliff Estates manager Tisha Turner said a contractor has been hired to begin resolving the cat problem today, but she declined to give details on what would be done. She also said violations and fines will be assessed against the people feeding the cats.
A spokesman for Rock Island County Animal Care and Control said the county is not responsible for animal issues in Milan but would assist if requested by village officials.
Milan Mayor Duane Dawson said he was unaware of the problem.
"If it's become an issue, we certainly want to take care of it," he said. "We may have to have somebody trap them and do something about it."
He said the village has a stray-animal ordinance, but he didn't know specifics of the ordinance offhand.
One resident, who asked not to be identified, said the cats have destroyed air conditioning-venting under her home, causing about $1,000 worth of damage.
Kerry Shuh, who lives across the street, said that over the last five years the increasing cat population has resulted in a flea infestation in her home three times.
"I've already spent $70 on foggers and sprays to try and get rid of (the fleas)," she said.
Wednesday, she hired an exterminator. "But for how long?" she said. With the cats still roaming around, she said it's just a matter of time before the fleas are back.
Tiffone Johnson said cats have had litters of kittens under her mobile home.
At least two kittens and a litter of five have been found dead near the trailer where they are fed. The woman whose air conditioning venting was destroyed said she found two dead cats outside her home Thursday morning.
Many of the cats' eyes are matted shut, which one resident said an animal shelter official told her was caused by a highly contagious herpes infection.
"I'm a total animal lover, but I don't like all these wild cats," Ms. Johnson said. "I don't want to say they need to be put down, but some of them, they probably do."
Ms. Johnson and Ms. Shuh said their biggest concern is the health hazards the cats pose. She said she is concerned children who run after the cats will get scratched or bitten.
"Somebody needs to be accountable," Ms. Shuh said.
"I wanna see them either get taken care of or out of there," Ms. Johnson said. "We need to get rid of 'em."
_____
I don't know what to do. I'm writing everyone I can think of tonight. Gathering phone numbers to call tomorrow.
I've contacted Ally cat allies for help- waiting on a reply.
And I contacted the only TNR group near me (THREE HOURS AWAY) to see if they can assist.
I feel so alone right now. Those poor, poor cats.
High Cliff Estates in Milan has a couple dozen or more unwelcome residents — wild cats whose home base is outside an empty mobile home.
The unidentified owners, who are trying to sell the mobile home, return each day to set out food for the felines, much to the concern of neighbors complaining about dead cats, flea infestations, damage under their mobile homes and health hazards.
Residents have complained to Rock Island County, Milan and High Cliff officials with little success, until now.
Thursday, High Cliff Estates manager Tisha Turner said a contractor has been hired to begin resolving the cat problem today, but she declined to give details on what would be done. She also said violations and fines will be assessed against the people feeding the cats.
A spokesman for Rock Island County Animal Care and Control said the county is not responsible for animal issues in Milan but would assist if requested by village officials.
Milan Mayor Duane Dawson said he was unaware of the problem.
"If it's become an issue, we certainly want to take care of it," he said. "We may have to have somebody trap them and do something about it."
He said the village has a stray-animal ordinance, but he didn't know specifics of the ordinance offhand.
One resident, who asked not to be identified, said the cats have destroyed air conditioning-venting under her home, causing about $1,000 worth of damage.
Kerry Shuh, who lives across the street, said that over the last five years the increasing cat population has resulted in a flea infestation in her home three times.
"I've already spent $70 on foggers and sprays to try and get rid of (the fleas)," she said.
Wednesday, she hired an exterminator. "But for how long?" she said. With the cats still roaming around, she said it's just a matter of time before the fleas are back.
Tiffone Johnson said cats have had litters of kittens under her mobile home.
At least two kittens and a litter of five have been found dead near the trailer where they are fed. The woman whose air conditioning venting was destroyed said she found two dead cats outside her home Thursday morning.
Many of the cats' eyes are matted shut, which one resident said an animal shelter official told her was caused by a highly contagious herpes infection.
"I'm a total animal lover, but I don't like all these wild cats," Ms. Johnson said. "I don't want to say they need to be put down, but some of them, they probably do."
Ms. Johnson and Ms. Shuh said their biggest concern is the health hazards the cats pose. She said she is concerned children who run after the cats will get scratched or bitten.
"Somebody needs to be accountable," Ms. Shuh said.
"I wanna see them either get taken care of or out of there," Ms. Johnson said. "We need to get rid of 'em."
_____
I don't know what to do. I'm writing everyone I can think of tonight. Gathering phone numbers to call tomorrow.
I've contacted Ally cat allies for help- waiting on a reply.
And I contacted the only TNR group near me (THREE HOURS AWAY) to see if they can assist.
I feel so alone right now. Those poor, poor cats.
