Letter to the editor: Don’t harm cats

You have to leave a message on the phones and someone will call you back. This is a busy time of year.

Home at Last offers discounts for pets, 541-296-3714 and Columbia Gorge Cat Rescue can be reached at 541-386-2743 or Catlink at 509-365-0083.

Alternate numbers for Catlink are 509-365-3771 or 541-980-0774. Calls are usually returned within 24 hours.

I would like to remind people that it is against the law to deliberately injure an animal, abandon it or not provide proper care.

Every year, rescues encounter dumping of animals — many are found too late, severely injured or worse.

These rescues get calls from places where they know the cats have been dumped. It’s heartbreaking!

So many things can be done to prevent these horrible crimes toward animals. First of all, spay your pets.

If you are feeding feral cats, ask for help before there is a problem.

Feral cats are community cats. They are neighborhood rodent control. Just image homes that are close to wooded areas.

Mobile home parts and apartment complexes seem to be overrun with rodents when cats are not allowed.

If these community cats are spayed, they will not reproduce and will be effective for rodent removal.

Recently, Catlink received several calls about missing cats in one mobile home park and a couple neighborhoods. I hope the ones harming these cats are caught and punished to the full extent of the law.

The animals that are missing were all beloved pets. Owners are heartbroken.

If you know of anyone harming an animal, please call the sheriff’s office.

Betty Mercado

The Dalles