I watch the 'tacoma.general' group on my newsreader and have been following
a thread, "County and Humane Society Contract", which has made me absolutely
livid. A man, Dennis R. Salatino, who claims to live on the border of Snake
Lake Nature Preserve brags, to this newsgroup, about rounding up stray cats
and then releasing them into the Nature Preserve, and taking food into the
preserve and feeding the feral cats. Is there something wrong here? This man
also says he has eight indoor cats and at least ten or more that roam freely
outside. The City of Tacoma says a person can only own 6 cats, which I
pointed out, but he says he has the permission of the Humane Society to
carry on with his 'good deeds'. I have nothing against cats, I have a great
cat of my own but he stays indoors. Aren't roaming house cats supposed to be
the #1 killer of urban song birds? How can it possibly be OK for someone to
stock a nature preserve, full of birds, with cats, and also put food in this
place to attract more cats. Isn't there anything that can be done about
this? I have called several city agencies but end up in voice mail hell. He
also claims to be taking raccoon and possum and taming them for pets. I was
under the impression that this is very big "NO NO". Am I just over reacting
to this situation? I'd really appreciate any input or help with this.

Patricia Hansen
2 Balconies,3rd Floor
Tacoma, Wa. USA
pmhansen at drizzle.com


"Use what talent you possess:
the woods would be
very silent if no birds sang
except those that sang best."
- Henry Van Dyke