Village of Ashville, Ohio

A feral animal or plant is one that lives in the wild but is descended from domesticated specimens. As with an introduced species, the introduction of feral animals or plants to non-native regions may disrupt ecosystems and has, in some cases, contributed to extinction of indigenous species wikipedia.org/. For each one of the animals that is pictured, the Village of Ashville has received calls to remedy an issue. This webpage was developed to direct you to the entity responsible in the State of Ohio, Pickaway County, or the Village. Some have very clear entities that are responsible. For example, for dog issues in Pickaway County The Wright-Poling Pickaway County Dog Shelter is responsible. For deer, owls, racoons, rabbits, squirrels, birds, bees and other wildlife the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is responsible. This page will help with animals that are not on any governmental list because they do not fit historically as wildlife or domesticated property.          

Feral cats are a common issue in many communities, including Ashville.

It’s usually not difficult to tell the difference between a feral cat and a domesticated one. Genetically, they are the same animal as house cats. Most feral cats have always lived outside as wild animals, though some have become feral after being abandoned as pets by humans.

They don’t have collars, often have an unkempt appearance, and often – but not always – avoid people.

The experts at Circle Area Humane Society, Columbus Humane and Alley Cat Allies offer the following guidance concerning feral cats in your neighborhood:

FEEDING AND CARE

Feeding stray cats makes some people feel like they are doing a good deed, but it should be done responsibly.

• Choose one place to feed and keep it clean. Create a “feeding station” for all food dishes.
• Remove any uneaten food within 30 minutes. Leaving food overnight can attract insects and other wildlife. Keep food stations clean.
• Provide fresh water, especially in the summer. In the winter, wider and deeper bowls will not freeze as quickly.

COMMON SENSE/GOOD NEIGHBOR STEPS

Feeding stray cats can create its own problems for you and your neighbors. Please keep the following in mind:

• Consider Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) for all cats in the colony to reduce feral populations (and keep existing cats healthier.) Be sure to discuss TNR plans with neighbors to avoid confusion and concern.
• Keep everything clean to reduce unpleasant smells and avoid attracting insects and other animals.
• Create litter areas, such as a sandbox, in a quiet, sheltered place and clean it regularly. This will help keep cats from relieving themselves in neighborhood gardens and properties.
• Use humane deterrents (www.alleycat.org/Deterrents) to keep cats away from areas they aren’t wanted. Offer to apply such deterrents for your neighbors.

TRAP-NEUTER-RETURN (TNR)

Columbus Humane is partnered with local cat rescues and colony caregivers that are dedicated to managing healthy cat colonies throughout Central Ohio. The agency’s Community Cat Initiative is designed to help reduce the number of free-roaming stray/feral cats in Central Ohio.

The Trap-Neuter-Return program works to spay/neuter, vaccinate, and ear tip healthy outdoor cats. (Ear tipping is a universal sign that a cat has been spayed/neutered.)

Caregivers trap* cats the night before their scheduled appointment and bring them to Columbus Humane (3015 Scioto Darby Executive Court, Hilliard) for spay/neuter the next morning. Caregivers pick up the cats later in the evening to hold overnight in a safe, enclosed space and then re-release the felines where they were originally trapped.

Columbus Humane provides this program free of charge. For more information or to make an appointment, call (614) 777-7387 ext. 208.

Never trap a cat unless there is a plan in place and you are following safe trapping guidelines.

(* Humane trap rentals are available for two-week periods through Columbus Humane’s Animal Support Center with a $50 deposit. Some hardware stores also rent humane traps.)

How Can I Help?

Volunteers are always welcomed at the organizations engaged in animal rescue and programs that support these animals. The Circle Area Humane Society is the organization in Pickaway County that helps financially support spay/neuter. It is through the Pickaway County Community Foundation(PCCF). Anyone wishing to donate can send a check to PCCF at 770 N. Court St, Circleville OH 43113 with the attention of Mary Virginia Hannan Fund (MVHF) Cat Fund. Thanks for your contribution!

A Legal Question - No Clear Answer

When a person sees a malnourished kitten roaming their neighborhood, their tinstinct is often to stop and help. In doing so, it is unlikelythat the individual will carefully consider the legal ramifications of their actions before giving the cat food and water or bringing it into their garage to give it shelter from the cold.  Will the kindhearted bystander wonder whether feeding the cat will cause them become the cat’s legal owner or "Caretaker"? What is a "Caretaker"? If you are interested read the below link to a pdf analysis. 

Detailed Legal Discussion on Feral Cats