The Cat Welfare Society of Israel (CWSI) today called on officials of the Israeli government to stop the mass killing of feral cats in the Sharon Region north of Tel Aviv. The killings are in response to a single case of rabies found in one cat in the area. Thousands of feral cats, in addition to owned animals, are at risk of being poisoned with Alpha-Chloralose-laced food baits thrown in the streets, or are being trapped and then killed.

"The poisoned cats are dying a slow and agonizing death," said Rivi Mayer, CWSI founder. "Dogs and other animals who could eat the poisoned bait are also at risk. In addition, people who bring their pets to veterinarians for rabies vaccinations are having their pets confiscated if the pets are not previously vaccinated or if their rabies booster is overdue. Some pets also have been confiscated from their homes."

The Israeli Government's actions began six weeks ago after one cat was identified with the disease, due to an outbreak in foxes in the area. Despite six weeks of protests from animal welfare groups and other concerned citizens against the mass cat killing, the Government indicated it would continue the extermination of the animals for another four and a half months.

Dr. Elliot Katz, founder of In Defense of Animals (IDA), said, "The mass poisoning of these innocent beings is terribly wrong. It is an expedient response that stems from ignorance, callousness, fear or even hate. I urge the Israeli government to cease this unwarranted mass killing of innocent animals, replacing it instead with vaccination and quarantine programs. (More information about IDA is available at www.idausa.org)

HUMANE ALTERNATIVE TO THE SOLUTION

CWSI is urging the Israeli Government to immediately cease the poisonings and other killings, and implement humane and effective alternatives to the problem, which include: completion of the oral rabies vaccine program for wildlife and stray dogs in every part of Israel, and the establishment of temporary quarantine stations with assistance from the Israeli Veterinary Services. CWSI also wants implementation of a countrywide vaccination program for all owned animals with minimal fees.

CWSI urges concerned individuals and organizations to write to the Agriculture Minister sar@moag.gov.il and the Interior Minister sar@moin.gov.il to protest the killings and request implementation of the alternatives.

"The indiscriminate killings of cats and other animals is crude and horribly misguided," says Becky Robinson, national director of Alley Cat Allies in Washington, DC. "The Israeli government has been offered, but has refused even to consider humane measures that could mitigate its feral cat problem long-term, such as vaccination, education, and spay/neuter. Alley Cat Allies urges Israel to stop this senseless campaign now and to step into the 21st century by implementing effective programs that reflect justice toward all species." (More information about Alley Cat Allies is available at www.alleycat.org)

Vesna Jones, founder of Greek Animal Rescue (GAR), a UK-charity providing help to stray animals in Greece, said, "Sadly, all too often we abandon our humanity for expediency. I have seen the excruciating suffering of animals as a result of poisoning. The world needs to stop poisoning animals as a way of solving its animal overpopulation problems or an outbreak of a disease. The only long-term solution to solving the 'stray problem' is for people to sterilize their dogs and cats." (More information about GAR is available at: http://www.gar-uk.dial.pipex.com/)

About CWSI

Founded in 1990, the Cat Welfare Society of Israel (CWSI) provides the only no-kill shelter in Israel exclusively for felines in Hadera. CWSI also provides medical care for injured animals and conducts spay/neuter educational programs. CWSI is an affiliate of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) and World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and "Noah," The Israeli Federation of Animal Welfare Organizations. More information on CWSI is available at http://www.cats.org.il/eng.

CONTACT: For Cat Welfare Society of Israel
In the US:
Barbara Kohn, 650-342-9853
barbkohn@aol.com
or
In Israel:
Ellen Moshenberg, ellen@bgumail.bgu.ac.il
Rivi Mayer, + 972 68 345073