Evening journal., 1916-05-12
MLMINGToN Am Irs sTRAY cATs.


WE have been requested, by h@nane worker re-
w siding in Brack-Ex to reproduce an editorial on
stray cats that appeared in THE EVENING JOURNAL
in 1914 AS il Is as applicable to 1916 It was to
1914. take pleasure in complying. IL was as fol-
lows:
"Our city is by stray and homeless cats
and kittens. That fact has been for months and stll
u.s. a matter or widespread and critical comment
''1he question naturally presents itself whether
steps should be taken by the local branch OF the
American Society for the Prevention OF Cruelty to
Animals and kindred ORGANIZATIONS TO cope with TINS
cat and kitten situation intelligent and humane
manner that will relieve the community of a menace
to health and also put an end to much animal suffer
ing that regretaby but naturally results from the
presence in city OF many unprotected and ne
elected animals
rhere arc hundreds II not thousands, Of such half
starved abused and kittens that should be put
out OF their misery in a quick and mercifu manner In
reality, something shoulc have been done long ago to
relieve situation that is bad from the viewpoints of
public health and humaneness.
KITTENS born of homeless mothers must necessarily
he thrown the street and placed at the mercy oi
cruel hearted humans and even more merchess dogs
Thousands Gle annually under circumstances which
constitute a reproach to mankind Those which sur
viyo the period of kttenhood and emerge into cathood
receive even less kindness from There are few
persons who have not them crippled, weak from
starvation and almost frozen TO death. tortured by
children day after day, and many gone blind from os
eases 10 say nothing OF the large number suffering
from mango
"At the time OF Miss Emily webb's death Of
! our local papers said ~ respected ourselves
! as much as we should respect Miss Emily Webb we
would raise monument to her memory In our
orinion however il would be OF value and i'm
! porance TO continue the good work commenced by
/ Miss Webb as a token Of appreciation and respect,
No doubt she would regard that as her best monu-
ment
! "n Baltimore the S. r. c. A. hires a man, who,
when informed of a crippled suffering animal. 10
Gates il and puts II out of its misery using tin cup,
sponge and chloroform the purpose The organiza-
ton in Baltimore also has in wagon and net to
capture the homeless ones They put to death in
a humane way. excepting those that can be provided
with homes
"Thc people also should be instructed TO drown
every kitten when born unless assured of good
home. That alone would prevent untold suffering to
hundreds yet unborn.
'If the money for the work not be provided in
any other way there enough lovers OF dumb ami
mails who arc sufficiently interested in their welfare
10 be clad of the opportunity provide the necessary
funds for the protection OF the cats. Each person IN
terested could donate small amount weekly accord
ing TO his or her means The wealthy Of our city too
could he depended upon TO do their share as they arc
alwavs willing to assist in humane enterprises
"rn fact II might be well to apply cats the same
regulations that now apply dogs and then enforce
them 10 the letter That would supply the funds ant
also rid our community Of homeless and abused cats
and kittens Admittedly It would be more Difficult
IN control the cat situation than It is to control thu
dog situation, but the work can be accomplished II IN
tellgent men and women take II mp with determiha
ton to succeed