NORTH SAINT PAUL, Mn. -- Feral cats, the wild born offspring of unaltered stray cats, can be found in every corner of world. The “solution” to the perceived problem of feral cats varies. Many cities across the U.S. enact a catch and kill policy, where they catch the feral cats, deem them un-adoptable, and kill them. Other, more progressive communities, opt for a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) approach. With this option the cats are trapped, altered, vaccinated against rabies, and returned to their outside homes. In North St. Paul, Minnesota, however, people like Doug Edge who care for and sterilize feral cats are told they are breaking the law.
Last Thursday the Pioneer Press reported that “in April, North St. Paul charged Doug Edge, 45, with two misdemeanors: failing to have a cat license and allowing domestic animals to run at large. Edge faces a fine and up to 90 days in jail.”
In reply to the charges Edge said “I’ll go to jail before I pay that fine.”
Doug and his wife Annette’s first experience with feral cats was in December 2008 when they noticed that a feral cat repeatedly snuck into an empty cathouse in their backyard. The cat later had kittens. When one died out in the street Doug and Annette were moved to help. In 2009 they joined a program organized by Animal Ark animal shelter. Under the program, Animal Ark veterinarians sterilized the feral cats, which were then released back into their outdoor homes.
The problem lies with the city’s laws regarding ownership of animals. According to the city, Edge became the owner of the feral cats when he began caring for them. Under city law domestic animals “kept, harbored, or maintained by their owners” must be licensed and registered in North St. Paul. Additionally, owners are not allowed to let their animals run freely throughout the city.
Edge’s attorney, Marshall Tanick, disagrees. Tanick told the Pioneer Press, “It's like someone takes in a stray cat, temporarily feeds it and lets it go - that doesn't make them a cat owner. Our position is that (Doug Edge) is just doing a humanitarian effort."
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