Evening star., 1912-07-17
STRAY CATS DOOMED
City Has Exterminated 400
Since First of July.
PUBLIC IS COOPERATING
Necessary That They Catch and Box
Felines Which Are
Undesirables.

| The District Commissioners believe
they have solved the problem of reducing
Washington's stray cat population.
AS a result Of their decision to have the
pound collect cats on request, 400 felines
have been exterminated since July /. The
plan has met with greater success than
was anticipated, and is thinning the ranks
of the back-alley serenaders at a rate
unprecedented.
The health department, which has
supervision Of the pound. literally is being
flooded with requests from citizens in
every part of the District to call for cats
that have taken up their abodes on
premises where they are not desired. In
one day the pound has collected and de-
strOyed as many as seventy cats, while,
during the past week, the daily collection
has approximated forty.
Mrs. West Is Pleased.
Mrs Henry L. West, president of the
Washington Cat Club, when told today
of the success with which the collection
plan is meeting, expressed delight that
the public is cooperating with the Dis
trict authorities in the matter. It was due
largely to Mrs. Vests suggestion that
the Commissioners adopted the scheme.
pan Will Ilu the CITY OIL It's WOTtu-
less cats. while it affords every protection
tor cats of Value said Mrs. West. Il
am going to ask the cat club members to
use their influence whenever possible to
have the public appreciate the difficulties
of the undertaking and cooperate with
the health authorities in every way"
The records of the health department
show that fifty cats were collected and
destroyed yesterday and seventy the day
before. Saturday the number was forty
fyY-raf ,fx-F, T1,,yrc, dow
twenty; Wednesday, forty-seven; Tues
day. forty-two, and Monday, thirty-two.
Many of the felines have been home
less kittens. while large number were
of the 'alley" variety. The pound will
endeavor to make all collections re-
quested but persons desiring this service
by the District will be required to have
the animals boxed and ready for de-
livery.
Cooperation Desired.
This new collection service has i'm
posed additional burdens on the pound
force. and citizens should cooperate to
make their work attended by as few diff
ficulties as possible" said Harry c. Nc
Lean, chief clerk of the health depart
ment, today.
eight calls on request that were without
results as, in several instances, occupants
of the homes were absent. while in others
the cats had not been caught. The pound
only will collect cats that have been
caught and boxed and are ready for de-
livery"
Mr.. Mclean pointed out that the pound
force has been reduced. owing to a
smaller amount having been appropriated
for this branch of the District govern
ment this year. and that, if the cat col
lection order is to meet with continued
success, it must be given every considera-
ton by citizens in the matter Of pre-
venting the pound forces from being SUBJ
1ected to unnecessary work
The District Commissioners, last month,
promulgated a cat-impounding order,
which resulted in a storm of protests
from cat owners and a hearing on the
complaints being siven by the District
heads. This order is still in effect. but
from present indications the pound will
have its hands fun collecting cats on re-
quest AT present about three cats to one
dog are being taken into custody daily.
The felines are exterminated Immediately.