I don't honestly know what to say here. As far as the cats go, it boils down to this: MEB refused to let them stay, citing health and safety hazards, and are removing them to an undisclosed location.
If you're looking at that last part and thinking, "Um, that won't work," you're right. Cats are territorial and will do everything they can to come back here to this space. If you're looking at that last part and thinking, "Hey, that's illegal," you're also right. Under AZ Animal Cruelty Laws, you cannot dump a feral cat-- you are not allowed to take them anywhere but the Humane Society. But if you're also looking at that last part and thinking, "Well, at least they'll have a chance there, unlike the Humane Society," you will see my current dilemma.
A wonderful, kind, and smart feral-cat caregiver, a volunteer with the Foundation for Homeless Cats, was to come with me to this meeting. She and I met and spoke ahead of time and I had a little bit of hope from this veteran negotiator.
False hope, alas, as when we got to our meeting I was completely blind-sided. The complex manager had called in two higher managers from MEB and they refused to allow the volunteer to stay and talk. This was, apparently, about a "resident concern" and thus for residents only.
Let me tell you, guys, it was awful. Imagine being taken to the principal's office with your teacher and your guidance counselor there, all of them thinking you're a recalcitrant child in need of severe behavior modification. (Later, when I pointed out that I'd been blind-sided, they had the gall to say, "Well, you brought someone." And I responded with, "Yeah, and you made her leave.")
Clearly the purpose of this meeting as far as these three managers were concerned was to get me to shut up and to have you all stop writing to them. It seems that they honestly don't care what anyone thinks except their residents (and their residents have said only negative things about the cats. I pointed out that angry people are the 10% who are vocal-- what about the 30% who are neutral and the 60% who are happy to let the cats stay? They said that wasn't their experience. Well... yeah, by definition of those other 90% not being vocal!) Not caring what potential renters might think? Seems short-sighted to me.
They've been taking down my flyers because they are "Solicitation." Since I don't try to sell anything, that would be completely untrue. Not to mention, those flyers are posted directly next to other flyers THAT ARE SELLING THINGS. So, uh, solicitation?
The only two resident complaints that they shared with me were one: a small child was attacked by a feral cat recently. Uhh... No. I'm not saying that the mother claiming this is lying (although she might be) but I think there must be a lot more to this story that we're no getting because that's not what feral cats do. When I pointed that out, I was dismissed with, "well, maybe it was stray or a pet or whatever, but it can't be there." And they suggested that children may run after a feral, corner it, and get scratched. My thought there, as I'm sure any responsible parent or sane person would have is, "Teach the freakin' kids not to chase strange animals!" but again, no. And secondly, they complained about the smell near my building. I will admit that Sir Percy's penchant for spraying made the area slightly pungent. I pointed out his story, and that he's been removed. They said that I couldn't promise that it was that cat doing the spraying. I said, actually, that I could, because all the other males have been neutered. They refused to believe me.
I tried everything I could, although I'm not a skilled negotiator. They had all the cards in this situation-- a veiled threat not to let me renew my lease (I so don't care) atop the whole ganging up on me thing. THREE OF THEM against me. Sure, they had the temerity to claim that they were all there out of concern for me, because I'm a resident and had registered a complaint, but I'm calling them on that BS.
End result... not sure, precisely. They claim that they took the three cats they've caught the Humane Society but that upon finding out that they were going to be killed, they did not leave them there but took them to a housing development elsewhere where they had permission to leave the cats.
There are holes in that story, however. If they're using only one trap, how did they catch three cats and take them to this special location? If they caught one and found that out and took the cat elsewhere, then took he others elsewhere, that might make sense- but when I asked the manager last week she said that three cats had been taken to the Humane Society. Today she said she hadn't known, and that since then they've changed their mind. Well... that doesn't make sense.
And the larger problem-- dumping cats, even ferals, elsewhere is ILLEGAL. No two ways about it-- it's part of AZ's anti-cruelty laws, as I stated above. I said as much to them, and I was informed that their attorneys said it was okay. Well, I don't know what loop-hole they've found, but it's not.
I suggested that I would be fine with everything if two things happened:
1. They removed the cats in a safe, humane, and effective manner--- which includes keeping the cats contained at the new location for several weeks. (A 21 day period is suggested by this group, for example)
2. That they offer me some proof that they have permission to move the cats to this location.
They FLATLY denied both. Flat out. Offered nothing in return. Claimed I was giving them an ultimatum (they said I was free to do whatever I liked but they were equally free to not renew my lease.) They said their attorneys wouldn't let them tell me where the cats are being taken (could this be the way they're getting around the fact that it's ILLEGAL!?)
I said that between being blind-sided by this meeting and their refusal to listen, I had no real reason to trust any of them without some kind of proof. They said they'd never lied to me-- well, a) first time for everything and b) ... isn't that what a liar would say?
Look, bottom line? I believe that they think that they're doing the right thing. They honestly believe that they're at risk because of the cats and that by removing them they'll be fine. (They're wrong, but nevermind that.) And if they actually are taking the cats to some undisclosed location (or a sanctuary in Mesa, supposedly as their second location), they undoubtedly again believe that at least they aren't getting the cats euthanized.
Because I heard them say that this is what they're doing-- all three of them said it at one point or another-- I could legitimately report them to the police's anti-animal-cruelty division. But I'm terrified that if I do, they'll simply revert to taking the cats to the Humane Society. And okay, that option's legal but equals death. On the other hand, there's a reason that dumping a cat is illegal and considered cruel-- they're away from their food source, their familiar territory, and if they're just dumping the cats in the desert, well, they're just sentencing them to death anyway, but a longer and more painful one.
So I'm at a loss. And the cats have lost, too.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Fingers Crossed
I will be meeting with the complex management again tomorrow (today, for most people reading this, I should think, and technically "today" for me, too) so please keep the free-roaming cats and I in your thoughts and your fingers crossed.
If you haven't written to MEB about the choice to kill the free-roaming/feral cats, now would be a *wonderful* time to do so (and please share this blog around-- maybe friends, family, or coworkers might like to chime in on this lousy situation?) This kind of support could really help in tomorrow's meeting. (The meeting is at 4pm AZ time and I'll try to post about it immediately after. If you haven't emailed/called MEB by 4pm AZ time tomorrow, that doesn't at all mean that your call/email isn't helpful, it's just that it'd be more immediately helpful before hand...)
MEB Phoenix offices: 602-279-5515 info@mebmgmt.com
If you haven't written to MEB about the choice to kill the free-roaming/feral cats, now would be a *wonderful* time to do so (and please share this blog around-- maybe friends, family, or coworkers might like to chime in on this lousy situation?) This kind of support could really help in tomorrow's meeting. (The meeting is at 4pm AZ time and I'll try to post about it immediately after. If you haven't emailed/called MEB by 4pm AZ time tomorrow, that doesn't at all mean that your call/email isn't helpful, it's just that it'd be more immediately helpful before hand...)
MEB Phoenix offices: 602-279-5515 info@mebmgmt.com
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Links: Successful Feral Colonies
Since there's no news today (ie: MEB still trapping, still taking down my flyers, etc.), I thought I'd direct you to a couple of articles on feral colonies where everyone has learned to live together. Most people who care for feral cats won't give away the location of the colony to anyone but another caregiver. No one wants to encourage people abandoning pets there (or, frankly, anywhere), or call attention to themselves/the cats to be blamed for whatever feral cats are being blamed for today. But here are places where free-roaming, neutered, managed colonies are successful-- with stabilized numbers and healthy cats. And don't forget, of course, that feral cat colonies are, in some ways, very helpful-- they keep away mice, rats, voles, scorpions (for which I am grateful) and other things you usually have to pay an exterminator to come put down poison for. (If Villagio is successful in killing the feral cats currently here, they will find an increase in vermin. Which will, in turn, attract more feral cats-- this time un-neutered ones-- and they will find themselves back to a full colony in no time. See yesterday's post on the Vacuum Effect for more information.)
Atlantic City Boardwalk Cats: This colony has been there since the 1880s. Free-roaming colonies? Not a new situation.
Coronado Cats of Phoenix: A neighborhood in historic downtown Phoenix which has banded together to take care of their feral cat situation using TNR. You think the dozen or so cats at Project-Cat is a lot? They've already TNRed 250 (!!!) and aren't done yet!
Disneyland:At the happiest place on earth, feral cats keep out the unwanted mice -- not including Mickey!! -- attracted by the detritus of the average tourist.
The Los Angeles Flower District: Carnations were being eaten by rats, ruining heir stock, but they found a green solution in hiring feral cats to work for them!
LAPD: (Also a second article on a different precinct) Rats and mice were destroying records, burrowing into bicycle officers' gear and generally causing an uproar -- until several stations installed FE-9 units to combat the problem!
For more information on Los Angeles area working cats-- feral colonies located in specific places (after neutering, micro-chipping, etc.), visit the Voice for the Animals Foundation website. They seem like a really awesome program and I salute them!
It seems that the San Fransico ASPCA has a similar program for saving feral cats by making them "working cats", with some information available.
Sadly, I can find nothing similar in AZ. So as per usual, the best bet for these cats is to stay right here, where they're happy and healthy and cared for. Tell MEB what you think about this colony: info@mebmgmt.com and 602-279-5515.
Atlantic City Boardwalk Cats: This colony has been there since the 1880s. Free-roaming colonies? Not a new situation.
Coronado Cats of Phoenix: A neighborhood in historic downtown Phoenix which has banded together to take care of their feral cat situation using TNR. You think the dozen or so cats at Project-Cat is a lot? They've already TNRed 250 (!!!) and aren't done yet!
Disneyland:At the happiest place on earth, feral cats keep out the unwanted mice -- not including Mickey!! -- attracted by the detritus of the average tourist.
The Los Angeles Flower District: Carnations were being eaten by rats, ruining heir stock, but they found a green solution in hiring feral cats to work for them!
LAPD: (Also a second article on a different precinct) Rats and mice were destroying records, burrowing into bicycle officers' gear and generally causing an uproar -- until several stations installed FE-9 units to combat the problem!
For more information on Los Angeles area working cats-- feral colonies located in specific places (after neutering, micro-chipping, etc.), visit the Voice for the Animals Foundation website. They seem like a really awesome program and I salute them!
It seems that the San Fransico ASPCA has a similar program for saving feral cats by making them "working cats", with some information available.
Sadly, I can find nothing similar in AZ. So as per usual, the best bet for these cats is to stay right here, where they're happy and healthy and cared for. Tell MEB what you think about this colony: info@mebmgmt.com and 602-279-5515.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Meeting on Thursday
The apartment complex manager and I will be meeting on Thursday afternoon to discuss the situation. Please keep your fingers crossed. And keep emails and phone calls coming. MEB should know that they are in the spotlight for this, that people who care are watching their choice here.
I'm not sure that they care, mind you. They took down my informative fliers less than 24hours after I put them up. Nicely done, MEB-- take down a community item from he community board (covering up, might I point out, some rather truly offensive curse words etched into the cork). There are no guidelines, no rules about the corkboards, no one has to look at them if they don't want to. People in the community advertise there all the time-- none of it is from management. But my fliers? Oh no, that's apparently bad. Well, I have more.
Since there's nothing else to report, here's an interesting article on the Vacuum Effect--in other words, why Catch & Kill, as MEB is doing, doesn't work. Read it here.
MEB: 602-279-5515
info@mebmgmt.com
I'm not sure that they care, mind you. They took down my informative fliers less than 24hours after I put them up. Nicely done, MEB-- take down a community item from he community board (covering up, might I point out, some rather truly offensive curse words etched into the cork). There are no guidelines, no rules about the corkboards, no one has to look at them if they don't want to. People in the community advertise there all the time-- none of it is from management. But my fliers? Oh no, that's apparently bad. Well, I have more.
Since there's nothing else to report, here's an interesting article on the Vacuum Effect--in other words, why Catch & Kill, as MEB is doing, doesn't work. Read it here.
MEB: 602-279-5515
info@mebmgmt.com
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Not Much to Report
I haven't posted this weekend because I've been dealing with a stomach flu. (Seriously unpleasant.) But you're here about the cats, not me, so let's see...
There has been no activity at the trap since Friday afternoon.
I have spoken with the founder of the Foundation for Homeless Cats for advice. Also, I received an email from the complex manager saying she was willing to take other solutions to the cat problem, so I have asked to meet with her this week.
I put up flyers just this evening (I wanted to do it on Saturday morning, but, uh, see above re: stomach flu) explaining to residents, in case they don't know, precisely what a feral cat is, where they come from, and how they've been managed (ie: TNR).
And really, that's all I can report at the moment, but I will post more when more happens. Keep your fingers crossed, and if you haven't already contacted MEB to let them know what you think of their choice, please do so (info@mebmgmt.com and 602-279-5515)-- it'd be great if they had lots of messages to come in to Monday morning.
The people who hate cats (feral or otherwise) tend to be the most vocal, but they aren't in the majority. I think it's important that the apartment complex and the management company understand that. (In fact, according to a poll that Alley Cat Allies conducted via Harris Interactive, more than 80% of Americans nationwide "believe that leaving a stray cat outside to live her life is more humane than having that cat caught and killed." (14% wanted the cats put down, 5% didn't know.) This is the kind of thing that the managers need to understand.
There has been no activity at the trap since Friday afternoon.
I have spoken with the founder of the Foundation for Homeless Cats for advice. Also, I received an email from the complex manager saying she was willing to take other solutions to the cat problem, so I have asked to meet with her this week.
I put up flyers just this evening (I wanted to do it on Saturday morning, but, uh, see above re: stomach flu) explaining to residents, in case they don't know, precisely what a feral cat is, where they come from, and how they've been managed (ie: TNR).
And really, that's all I can report at the moment, but I will post more when more happens. Keep your fingers crossed, and if you haven't already contacted MEB to let them know what you think of their choice, please do so (info@mebmgmt.com and 602-279-5515)-- it'd be great if they had lots of messages to come in to Monday morning.
The people who hate cats (feral or otherwise) tend to be the most vocal, but they aren't in the majority. I think it's important that the apartment complex and the management company understand that. (In fact, according to a poll that Alley Cat Allies conducted via Harris Interactive, more than 80% of Americans nationwide "believe that leaving a stray cat outside to live her life is more humane than having that cat caught and killed." (14% wanted the cats put down, 5% didn't know.) This is the kind of thing that the managers need to understand.
Friday, May 13, 2011
The Whole Story (Long Version) Recreated
Since this is a time sensitive issue and Blogger hasn't put the previous posts back up, I'm recreating the whole story thus far. (EDIT TO ADD: Blogger seems to have put the entries back up but out of order and I doubt the links to them work any more, so I'm leaving this entry up.)
As you probably know, I've been caring for the feral colony at my apartment complex for about four years now. (All the rest of the blog posts are still here, so if you wish to know more, feel free.) We got the cats Trapped-Neutered-Released, with the permission of the apartment complex because the complex wanted the cats out. I pointed out that Trap&Kill does not work and it costs more, so why not let me TNR? With the wonderful, wonderful support of the readers of this blog we raised the necessary funds. We did not catch all of the cats that first time, and when I wanted to TNR again a while later, I had a harder time getting permission because the complex had changed ownership and management. But I did get permission again, along with permission to feed the cats because that is part of having a managed colony. And all was well, or so I thought, until a few days ago.
I'd come out to my balcony to enjoy one of the few comfortable days that AZ has and spotted a humane trap set out nearby. It was locked to a pipe so that no one could remove it. Horrified, I went to look at it and it was, indeed, set with cat food and ready to spring.
I spoke with the office staff who told me that the cats were being removed to the Humane Society. They did not seem fazed when I pointed out that that meant they were being killed immediately. I went back a bit later to speak with the complex's manager (who was not there when I went the first time) and she told me the same thing-- the cats were being caught and taken to the shelter. She said, "At least they're not being killed," and I (again) pointed out that yes they are. Feral cats are unadoptable*. She shrugged and said she understood that I'm an animal lover with a "big heart" (why did that suddenly sound like an insult?) but that this wasn't her decision but that it came from the owners.
She claimed that at least two residents have moved out because of the cats. I... really? I mean, maybe if you have a phobia or a cat hatred... But to move out? Moving is such a pain. I think this may have been an exaggeration. She cited damage from cats (where? I see damage from children, but not from cats...) and spraying from cats (um... they've been neutered. Yes, some cats can spray after being neutered but it's rare... I will admit that Percy sprayed a lot before he was neutered, but, uh, he's gone to Germany...) And one guy, evidently, moved out because "it was too sad to see the cats out in the heat." What is that I don't even-- Okay, sure. Seeing animals in 110+ F degree heat sucks. Seeing humans in that heat sucks too. In an ideal world all domestic cats would be well-treated, indoors only and enjoying their very own a/c throughout awful summers. But it's not an ideal world and I have a very hard time believing that Mr. It's Too Sad would have preferred to have the cats killed.
The manager assured me that she saw my point, offered me some tissues (I admit I broke into tears when she told me they'd already trapped and killed three cats), gave me the phone number for the corporate offices with the cheery admonition that it wouldn't get me anywhere and sent me on my way.
So here we are, a few days later. I have emailed and called everyone I could think of for some help and got a lot of sympathy, a little advice, but not much in the way of hope. I have had no response from MEB (the leasing management company that runs this complex and many, many other ones through AZ, TX and NJ**, which doesn't surprise me. I found out that MEB in Tuscon agreed with TNR, so I have no idea what's going on here.
Maintenance has moved the trap just slightly. I don't think they've caught anyone in the last two days (unless they have traps that I don't know about). [There is currently a bird trying to steal food from the trap.] They've blocked up the drainage tunnels in which the cats used to reside/move about it. They've thrown away all the food and water dishes we've put out for the cats and swept away the stray kibble they've found.
Because this is an (intentionally) public blog I am not going to list here which cats I've seen lately, how many are around, where/when the cats are fed, etc. If you want to know something specific, you can contact me project.cat.AZ@gmail.com Yeah, I just set that up since I realized I didn't have a good way to contact me for this stuff here on the site. (Sorry those of you have tried to get in touch with me recently.)
All I can do right now is keep trying to get in touch with the management company (MEB) and telling them what I think of their animal tactics. And I ask that you do so, too. You can email them at info@mebmgmt.com or call them at 602-279-5515. (Please note that the number I originally put up, the number I got from the complex manager, was their fax number. Clearly, she was being helpful.)
-----
*Feral cats, with a lot of time and patience, can be tamed (in some cases.) I have met several incredibly friendly formal-ferals who were adults when taken into a home. You would never guess that they were feral for their young lives. On the other hand, I've met some kittens who were just past the age of easy-taming who never became fully domesticated. My point here is that yes, it can happen, and when it does, that's awesome. But it is not a viable option for large-scale rescue ala the Humane Society, and thus it is never what happens when you or someone else takes a feral cat to them.
**Yes, that seems a weird spread to me, too. Here's their website: http://www.mebapts.com/MEB/index.aspx
As you probably know, I've been caring for the feral colony at my apartment complex for about four years now. (All the rest of the blog posts are still here, so if you wish to know more, feel free.) We got the cats Trapped-Neutered-Released, with the permission of the apartment complex because the complex wanted the cats out. I pointed out that Trap&Kill does not work and it costs more, so why not let me TNR? With the wonderful, wonderful support of the readers of this blog we raised the necessary funds. We did not catch all of the cats that first time, and when I wanted to TNR again a while later, I had a harder time getting permission because the complex had changed ownership and management. But I did get permission again, along with permission to feed the cats because that is part of having a managed colony. And all was well, or so I thought, until a few days ago.
I'd come out to my balcony to enjoy one of the few comfortable days that AZ has and spotted a humane trap set out nearby. It was locked to a pipe so that no one could remove it. Horrified, I went to look at it and it was, indeed, set with cat food and ready to spring.
I spoke with the office staff who told me that the cats were being removed to the Humane Society. They did not seem fazed when I pointed out that that meant they were being killed immediately. I went back a bit later to speak with the complex's manager (who was not there when I went the first time) and she told me the same thing-- the cats were being caught and taken to the shelter. She said, "At least they're not being killed," and I (again) pointed out that yes they are. Feral cats are unadoptable*. She shrugged and said she understood that I'm an animal lover with a "big heart" (why did that suddenly sound like an insult?) but that this wasn't her decision but that it came from the owners.
She claimed that at least two residents have moved out because of the cats. I... really? I mean, maybe if you have a phobia or a cat hatred... But to move out? Moving is such a pain. I think this may have been an exaggeration. She cited damage from cats (where? I see damage from children, but not from cats...) and spraying from cats (um... they've been neutered. Yes, some cats can spray after being neutered but it's rare... I will admit that Percy sprayed a lot before he was neutered, but, uh, he's gone to Germany...) And one guy, evidently, moved out because "it was too sad to see the cats out in the heat." What is that I don't even-- Okay, sure. Seeing animals in 110+ F degree heat sucks. Seeing humans in that heat sucks too. In an ideal world all domestic cats would be well-treated, indoors only and enjoying their very own a/c throughout awful summers. But it's not an ideal world and I have a very hard time believing that Mr. It's Too Sad would have preferred to have the cats killed.
The manager assured me that she saw my point, offered me some tissues (I admit I broke into tears when she told me they'd already trapped and killed three cats), gave me the phone number for the corporate offices with the cheery admonition that it wouldn't get me anywhere and sent me on my way.
So here we are, a few days later. I have emailed and called everyone I could think of for some help and got a lot of sympathy, a little advice, but not much in the way of hope. I have had no response from MEB (the leasing management company that runs this complex and many, many other ones through AZ, TX and NJ**, which doesn't surprise me. I found out that MEB in Tuscon agreed with TNR, so I have no idea what's going on here.
Maintenance has moved the trap just slightly. I don't think they've caught anyone in the last two days (unless they have traps that I don't know about). [There is currently a bird trying to steal food from the trap.] They've blocked up the drainage tunnels in which the cats used to reside/move about it. They've thrown away all the food and water dishes we've put out for the cats and swept away the stray kibble they've found.
Because this is an (intentionally) public blog I am not going to list here which cats I've seen lately, how many are around, where/when the cats are fed, etc. If you want to know something specific, you can contact me project.cat.AZ@gmail.com Yeah, I just set that up since I realized I didn't have a good way to contact me for this stuff here on the site. (Sorry those of you have tried to get in touch with me recently.)
All I can do right now is keep trying to get in touch with the management company (MEB) and telling them what I think of their animal tactics. And I ask that you do so, too. You can email them at info@mebmgmt.com or call them at 602-279-5515. (Please note that the number I originally put up, the number I got from the complex manager, was their fax number. Clearly, she was being helpful.)
-----
*Feral cats, with a lot of time and patience, can be tamed (in some cases.) I have met several incredibly friendly formal-ferals who were adults when taken into a home. You would never guess that they were feral for their young lives. On the other hand, I've met some kittens who were just past the age of easy-taming who never became fully domesticated. My point here is that yes, it can happen, and when it does, that's awesome. But it is not a viable option for large-scale rescue ala the Humane Society, and thus it is never what happens when you or someone else takes a feral cat to them.
**Yes, that seems a weird spread to me, too. Here's their website: http://www.mebapts.com/MEB/index.aspx
Perfect timing, Blogger
The posts I wrote about the current cat situation have been removed by Blogger temporarily because they've been having issues.
To sum up-- MEB Management Company has decided that despite the colony of cats being neutered and managed, they are a nuisance, and has begun trapping them to take to the Humane Society where they are being euthanized. Thus far my appeals to logic have fallen on deaf ears.
If you would like to tell MEB Management what you think of their treatment of animals, you can do so by calling them at 602-279-5515. You can also email them at info@mebmgmt.com.
The have a trap set, they have removed all food and water bowls, they have swept away food when it's been put out for the cats on the ground. They're doing their absolute best to remove these cats and have them killed.
To sum up-- MEB Management Company has decided that despite the colony of cats being neutered and managed, they are a nuisance, and has begun trapping them to take to the Humane Society where they are being euthanized. Thus far my appeals to logic have fallen on deaf ears.
If you would like to tell MEB Management what you think of their treatment of animals, you can do so by calling them at 602-279-5515. You can also email them at info@mebmgmt.com.
The have a trap set, they have removed all food and water bowls, they have swept away food when it's been put out for the cats on the ground. They're doing their absolute best to remove these cats and have them killed.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
MEB Management Company Kills Cats
The headline isn't news, of course, if you've read the previous posts. I just want it to be out there. People hide behind terms like "putting to sleep" or concepts like "taking to the Humane Society," and convince themselves that these cats will have a home found for them. Well, no. That's not what happens. Consider the enormous percentage of healthy, friendly, adoptable cats who are euthanized because homes can't be found for them. There is no space at shelters for feral cats who cannot be adopted. So if you, or Villagio's maintenance, or MEB's managers, drop off a feral cat to the Humane Society, you are killing that cat.
I wrote to MEB, as did several people who have commented here and in other places. I have received no response, which is not exactly a surprise, although it is disheartening. (I wonder how many people choose not to live here or to leave not because of the feral cats but because of things like the pants that have been sitting on top of one of the carparks (visible from my stairwell) for the past three years? Accompanied, of course, with two beer bottles and, a recent addition, a glass. Classy! Or the laundry machines that suddenly went up in price, but remained the same in quality and went down in quantity. I'm not saying I'm going to move out because all of the dryers have their lint-traps torn and useless, but it's not exactly enticing me to stay...)
Anyway. I have spent the day thus far sending emails to other organizations in the hopes that someone can give me advice or help, but I'm not hopeful. I've also gone on a walk to do a headcount of the remaining cats. You'll forgive me, I hope, if I don't tell you numbers or names-- I don't wish to make MEB's job any easier since I think it is morally reprehensible. (I have also removed similar information from the previous post.) If you are concerned about a particular cat or just want to know numbers/etc., feel free to contact me through less public channels.
Keep watching this space, though, and keep those emails being sent to MEB Management.
info@mebmgmt.com OR (and I just found this one) leasingcentral@mebmgmt.com
(If I find an email address that seems less slush-pile, I will let you know)
or call 602-279-5515
Let them know what you think of their tactics (which don't work in the long run anyway.)
If I get news that another group can help-- although as I say, I have no idea how-- here may be a necessary fundraiser in the future. We shall see. No need to send donations now, just gather ideas.
And keep these cats in your thoughts.
I wrote to MEB, as did several people who have commented here and in other places. I have received no response, which is not exactly a surprise, although it is disheartening. (I wonder how many people choose not to live here or to leave not because of the feral cats but because of things like the pants that have been sitting on top of one of the carparks (visible from my stairwell) for the past three years? Accompanied, of course, with two beer bottles and, a recent addition, a glass. Classy! Or the laundry machines that suddenly went up in price, but remained the same in quality and went down in quantity. I'm not saying I'm going to move out because all of the dryers have their lint-traps torn and useless, but it's not exactly enticing me to stay...)
Anyway. I have spent the day thus far sending emails to other organizations in the hopes that someone can give me advice or help, but I'm not hopeful. I've also gone on a walk to do a headcount of the remaining cats. You'll forgive me, I hope, if I don't tell you numbers or names-- I don't wish to make MEB's job any easier since I think it is morally reprehensible. (I have also removed similar information from the previous post.) If you are concerned about a particular cat or just want to know numbers/etc., feel free to contact me through less public channels.
Keep watching this space, though, and keep those emails being sent to MEB Management.
info@mebmgmt.com OR (and I just found this one) leasingcentral@mebmgmt.com
(If I find an email address that seems less slush-pile, I will let you know)
or call 602-279-5515
Let them know what you think of their tactics (which don't work in the long run anyway.)
If I get news that another group can help-- although as I say, I have no idea how-- here may be a necessary fundraiser in the future. We shall see. No need to send donations now, just gather ideas.
And keep these cats in your thoughts.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
It's officially Terrible News
Despite my beautifully reasoned logic, despite my tears upon finding out that they've already taken three cats (which ones?? I don't know.) to the humane society, there is no budging.
I have never said where I lived on this blog, what apartment complex is doing this-- which once worked with me so wonderfully to TNR the cats and is now killing them-- but I might as well now.
It's Villagio Apartment Homes and it's run by MEB Corporation-- a company which owns and leases a huge percentage of apartments in this area.
In fact, if you'd like to call MEB and give them a piece of your mind about how they are KILLING cats, it's 602-279-5553. That's no the office of this complex, that's higher up to the corporation that has made the decree. (This is MEB's website.)
You can also write to them in Phoenix:1215 East Missouri Avenue; Phoenix, AZ 85014
Or email them at info@mebmgmt.com
The story from the manager here is that people have still been complaining about the cats and that two residents have moved out, citing the cats as their reason. (It is, evidently, "too sad" to see them outdoors all summer. So apparently KILLING THEM is the answer?!)
What about the people who LIKE to see the cats here (doing no harm, might I point out-- certainly less damage than the children who live here.)? What about the fact that cats keep away the scorpions?
What about the fact that these are living creatures whose plight is made by stupid people?
I seriously don't know what else to do. (I haven't called the corporate office yet because I can't stop crying.)
I don't know which three cats MEB Management and Villagio have already killed.
And I spoke with one of my neighbors who gave me the only good news I've got -- Tig(g)er has a forever home, an indoor forever home.
I walked the property and found only the one trap-- I don't know how many there are. It's (they're?) not set well, but evidently set well enough to catch three so... crap.
My lease is up in August and I have made it clear that I cannot give money to a company that kills these cats, so I guess I'll be looking for a (non-MEB) apartment very, very soon. Sigh. But then, a huge, huge part of why I hadn't moved in the past 5 years was taking care of these cats.
Other than inundating MEB Management with rational, sane requests to stop their plan (because it won't work-- they won't catch them all; because it's inhumane-- feral cats are killed upon being brought to the humane society; because more cats will move in within months of this colony disappearing; because they will no longer have me to TNR the new cats), I ... don't know what to do.
I have never said where I lived on this blog, what apartment complex is doing this-- which once worked with me so wonderfully to TNR the cats and is now killing them-- but I might as well now.
It's Villagio Apartment Homes and it's run by MEB Corporation-- a company which owns and leases a huge percentage of apartments in this area.
In fact, if you'd like to call MEB and give them a piece of your mind about how they are KILLING cats, it's 602-279-5553. That's no the office of this complex, that's higher up to the corporation that has made the decree. (This is MEB's website.)
You can also write to them in Phoenix:1215 East Missouri Avenue; Phoenix, AZ 85014
Or email them at info@mebmgmt.com
The story from the manager here is that people have still been complaining about the cats and that two residents have moved out, citing the cats as their reason. (It is, evidently, "too sad" to see them outdoors all summer. So apparently KILLING THEM is the answer?!)
What about the people who LIKE to see the cats here (doing no harm, might I point out-- certainly less damage than the children who live here.)? What about the fact that cats keep away the scorpions?
What about the fact that these are living creatures whose plight is made by stupid people?
I seriously don't know what else to do. (I haven't called the corporate office yet because I can't stop crying.)
I don't know which three cats MEB Management and Villagio have already killed.
And I spoke with one of my neighbors who gave me the only good news I've got -- Tig(g)er has a forever home, an indoor forever home.
I walked the property and found only the one trap-- I don't know how many there are. It's (they're?) not set well, but evidently set well enough to catch three so... crap.
My lease is up in August and I have made it clear that I cannot give money to a company that kills these cats, so I guess I'll be looking for a (non-MEB) apartment very, very soon. Sigh. But then, a huge, huge part of why I hadn't moved in the past 5 years was taking care of these cats.
Other than inundating MEB Management with rational, sane requests to stop their plan (because it won't work-- they won't catch them all; because it's inhumane-- feral cats are killed upon being brought to the humane society; because more cats will move in within months of this colony disappearing; because they will no longer have me to TNR the new cats), I ... don't know what to do.
(Potential) Project-Cat EMERGENCY
While sitting on my balcony this afternoon to do some work-- enjoying what little of "spring" we get here in the Valley of the Sun-- I discovered a shiny new cat-trap (well, humane trap-- it works for whatever) in place, locked, no less, to a pipe next to the laundry room.
I investigated it, then went to the management office.
Underlings informed me that "maintenance has traps all over the property" and they are trapping the "strays" and taking them to the humane society. I pointed out that that means they're being killed; I was ignored as usual.
I've looked all over the place and haven't found any more traps. And I am about to wash my face (I admit it, I cried. A lot. Frustration, anger, fear.) And I am going back to the office now that a manager should be there-- and in fact a manager I have dealt with before.
All that said, I don't have high hopes for this meeting and I'm downright scared.
Keep your eyes on this spot for more updates.
I investigated it, then went to the management office.
Underlings informed me that "maintenance has traps all over the property" and they are trapping the "strays" and taking them to the humane society. I pointed out that that means they're being killed; I was ignored as usual.
I've looked all over the place and haven't found any more traps. And I am about to wash my face (I admit it, I cried. A lot. Frustration, anger, fear.) And I am going back to the office now that a manager should be there-- and in fact a manager I have dealt with before.
All that said, I don't have high hopes for this meeting and I'm downright scared.
Keep your eyes on this spot for more updates.
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