UPDATE: July 17, 2020
Good news! Because our incredible supporters spoke out with us, the City of Jefferson has agreed to meet virtually with Alley Cat Allies to develop positive outcomes for cats and kittens. The City is interested in discussions to learn about humane approaches, and our initial communications have been encouraging.
A deep thank you to every advocate who took action against the unacceptable proposed policy detailed below. We will keep you informed on movement in this top-priority situation.
Original Story
JEFFERSON, Iowa July 13, 2020 Alley Cat Allies is demanding that the Jefferson City Council end consideration of a policy proposal focused on killing cats, and instead turn its attention to modern, humane, mainstream, proven approaches that are better for cats and better for the communities in which they live.
“Jefferson will become the cat-killing capital of the Midwest if it approves such an outrageous policy,” said Becky Robinson, president and founder of Alley Cat Allies. “This proposal will ruthlessly target both outdoor community cats and indoor cats in Iowa to be killed for so much as not having a microchip, or in some cases for even less. Such a policy will set Jefferson apart as being uniquely deadly for the cats who live there, even as so many other neighboring communities throughout Iowa have listened to their constituents and chosen humane, model programs that save lives.”
Alley Cat Allies is the leader of the global movement to protect cats and kittens. The organization has attempted many times in recent years to work with city leaders in Jefferson, Iowa to turn toward more humane policies such as Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), and work to save cats and kittens instead of killing them.
“The City of Jefferson already endured international ridicule in 2018 after news reports that its police department was shooting cats in the Iowa city, and now the world is watching again,” Robinson added. “Jefferson should aspire to be known as a community that welcomes and protects its animals, not one that kills them.”
Jefferson City Council is scheduled to consider the new “Cat Policy” at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, at Jefferson City Hall Council Chambers, 220 N. Chestnut St, Jefferson, Iowa.
(Note to editors: The proposed policy is on page 33 of the council’s June 14 agenda, available online.)
About Alley Cat Allies
Alley Cat Allies, headquartered in Bethesda, Md., is the global engine of change for cats. Alley Cat Allies is the leading advocacy organization dedicated to protecting and improving the lives of all cats through its innovative, cutting-edge programs. Founded in 1990, today Alley Cat Allies has grown into a powerful force with over half a million supporters. The organization has helped and inspired countless individuals, communities and other organizations to save and improve the lives of cats and kittens worldwide. Alley Cat Allies works with lawmakers, animal shelters and advocates to change attitudes and advance lifesaving policies that best serve the interests of cats. Alley Cat Allies’ website is www.alleycat.org, and the organization is active on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.