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Pocatello residents asked not to trap cats, Community Cat Program temporarily suspended
POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) - Pocatello Animal Services is asking citizens not to trap feral cats and bring them to the Pocatello Animal Shelter.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Animal Services’ trap-neuter-return program – known as the Community Cat Program – is temporarily suspended. Currently, Animal Services is unable to secure a veterinarian to perform the spay and neuter surgeries due to the increased demand for veterinary services across the region. Staff asks citizens to hold off trapping cats at this time.
“Thank you to those who have participated and we hope to resume the program soon,” Animal Services Director Josh Heinz said. “Our veterinarian partners have been beyond generous in helping to get this program off the ground and we understand their current need to focus on their core business.”
Veterinarian Jacqueline Chevalier says the COVID-19 pandemic created many challenges for her and her staff at Merritts Creek Veterinary Center near Barboursville.
âThere was an increase of people with new pets wanting to come in, but we also had a decrease in staff that was willing to work during the worst days of the pandemic,â she said. âSo it created some real challenges for us here.â
Approximately 12.6 million U.S. households got a new pet last year after the pandemic was declared in March 2020, according to a COVID-19 Pulse Study by the American Pet Products Association. Meanwhile, fewer people relinquished their pets in 2020, so they needed ongoing care, experts said.
General Mills adds pet brands
MATT OTT | Associated Press
General Mills is diving further into the red-hot pet food market, acquiring Tyson Foods animal treat business for $1.2 billion in cash, the companies said Friday.
Best known for Cheerios, Betty Crocker and Pillsbury, Minneapolis-based General Mills in 2018 entered the pet food business in a big way, spending $8 billion to acquire Blue Buffalo, a premium brand. Then the pandemic hit, fueling the biggest surge of pet adoptions in recent memory.
About 12.6 million U.S. households got a new pet last year after the pandemic was declared in March 2020, according to a COVID-19 Pulse Study by the American Pet Products Association.
I definitely would recommend that people plan ahead,” said Corey Price, the animal services manager for the city of Irving. “You don’t just want to go back to work and turn that switch off, with your pet being used to you being home for over a year potentially.
Experts at the Irving Animal Services recommend setting your pet up with lots of toys.
“We definitely recommend puzzle toys, the ones that you can put food in and it takes them some time to get the treats out,” said Price.
Before you head back to the office, start easing into the new routine by leaving the house more frequently and returning home, increasing the duration each time.