Boundary County’s feral cat population is concerning

BOUNDARY COUNTY — It is estimated there are hundreds of thousands of feral cats in Boundary County, Linda Endow Hall with Bonners Ferry Veterinary Clinic told Boundary County Commissioners last month.

Cat populations can grow exponentially, as females can reproduce two to three times a year, Hall told commissioners Nov. 20. One pair of breeding cats can produce 420,000 offspring over 7 years and cats can become fertile as early as four or five months old. Cats become “feral” without early contact with humans.

Hall believes the overpopulation is a concern for the county, which the commissioners agreed, noting the county fairgrounds and landfill cat populations have drastically grown over the past year. 

Hall has spoken out about her concerns of the feral cat population in the county before. BFVC has recently established the Buddy Hall Memorial Fund, which is named after the Hall family's beloved cat. Buddy Hall recently passed and to honor him a fund was created for the sterilization of feral cats in Boundary County.

Hall said between $8,000 and $10,000 was raised by the community in the first few weeks the fund was formed. 

Within the first two weeks, BFVC was able to sterilize 35 cats by fitting in two operations each day into their surgery schedule. 

One Saturday a month, BFVC hosts an open volunteer spaying/neutering clinic. They charge $20 per cat, with $50 being taken out of the Buddy Hall Memorial Fund to pay for anesthesia, equipment and supplies. Typically it costs $150 to $200 to sterilize a cat. 

“All of this is volunteer work. My staff has stepped up to volunteer their services one Saturday a month,” she said. “Our community members have signed up to volunteer as well.” 

When cats are brought in, a form must be filled out confirming the cat is feral before the operation. Hall said if the animal is too sick the form gives BFVC the authority to euthanize the cat. 

Cats that receive the procedure will have their ear clipped to mark that they have received the operation.

Hall hopes this program will be permanent and that when she passes she hopes the project will continue in perpetuity.

Hall would like to see a coalition established of different entities come together to solve the overpopulation issues. She said many constituents have said there is a problem, but nothing has been done to fix it. She is hoping to provide a solution by offering cat sterilizations. 

“I feel every animal should have the opportunity to have a decent life. These cats are inbreeding and producing deforming kittens it is not fair to those animals,” she said. 

She asked commissioners if the board could set aside funds to alleviate this county-wide issue. 

Commissioner chair Tim Bertling said residents plagued by increasing cat populations should be contacted.

BFVC does provide live traps and volunteers are willing to set traps and monitor them for property owners. 

“If more people know we have this available, then people will be able to help their neighbors,” she said.

Hall explained that cat hoarding can happen very quickly. Some people may have a litter of kittens and before they know it they have 30 and then 60 cats on their property. They then feel that they must take care of the cats. 

Bertling said the cat overpopulation should be mentioned at the next joint city and county meeting to allow Moyie Springs and Bonners Ferry officials to be part of the conversation on the issue.

Hall said many cats are being rehomed after being sterilized. Farmers have happily taken cats for pest control, knowing they won’t have an issue with kittens come spring. 

Hall said this is just a small dent in the overpopulation issue, but she is a woman on a mission. 

Spade and neutering is the only permanent, 100% birth control method for cats, she said. Sterilization reduces the urge to roam which then prevents cats from contracting diseases. 

She added that male cats living outside live on average less than two years. 

Hall commended Dr. Sierra Temple and Dr. Lauren Gentle’s passion for the project. 

For any further questions, contact Linda Endow Hall at 208-255-8708.