A resident of Eau Claire, Steve Betchkal, is urging the city to take measures to safeguard birds by encouraging responsible cat ownership.
Mr. Betchkal, an ornithologist, addressed the City Council during their meeting on Monday evening to present his proposal advocating for indoor cat policies.
His initiative seeks to redirect a portion of the city’s funding allocated to the Eau Claire County Humane Association toward educational efforts highlighting the impact of outdoor cats on wildlife.
Additionally, Mr. Betchkal is calling for a prohibition on the adoption of barn cats within Eau Claire County.
Conversely, the management team at the Humane Association contends that there is already an abundance of information available regarding the adverse effects of feral cats on bird populations.
They express concerns that a ban on barn cat adoptions would potentially lead to euthanizing these cats, a move contrary to their identity as a no-kill shelter.
It’s worth noting that Mr. Betchkal’s petition has garnered only a limited number of signatures thus far.
