Petition to the Governor
Please read this petition, fill in the form and submit this.
Governor Jeb Bush
Office of the Governor, PL05
The Capitol
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
Dear Governor Bush:
I am writing to express deep concern about the process the Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) used to evaluate evidence for and
make policy on the Impacts of Domestic Cats on Native Wildlife (adopted
on may 30). The FWC glossed over the fact that the impact of feral cats on
Honda wildlife is unknown They ignored reasonable evidence that Trap-Neuter-Return
(TNR) programs effectively decrease the population of feral and free roaming
cats and trap-and-euthanize programs do not. They disregarded the outpouring
of opposition to the proposed policy. I believe the FWC acted irresponsibly
and their decision was biased.
This policy admits that "the cumulative impact of cats upon native wildlife
in Florida remains uncertain" and yet insists that the State must "eliminate
the threat cats pose to the viability of local populations of wildlife" (Final
Draft FWC Policy on impacts of domestic cats on native wildlife, p. 11.
Florida's unique and richly diverse wildlife must be protected but this
policy cannot be effective because it is not based on good science. I request
that an independent scientific study be commissioned before implementation
of the policy to ascertain the true impact of feral and free-roaming cats
to Florida's Wildlife.
If implemented, this policy will jeopardize existing and potential TNR programs
which already reduce the numbers of feral and free-ranging cats in Florida,
TNR is a fully managed plan that provides the trapping, vaccination, and
sterilization of cats already living outdoors in cities, towns, and rural
areas. Kittens and tame cats are adopted into good homes. Healthy adult
cats too wild to be adopted are returned to their familiar habitat under
the lifelong care of volunteers. The commission instead endorses trap-and-remove,
which equals trap-and-euthanize unless they provide alternative locations
and support relocation of these colonies. Trap-and-euthanize methods have
consistently failed to have any long-term effect on eliminating or even reducing
cat populations. TNR programs are primarily staffed with volunteers and
funded with donations. In contrast, trap-and-euthanize programs, which would
have to be funded by government, will create a huge administrative and financial
burden on Florida jurisdictions and taxpayers. Accepting FWC's estimate
of 3-5 million free-roaming cats, trap-and-euthanize programs, at a cost
of $70-150 per animal, could cost over $500 million dollars.
A great concern to me is that the FWC failed to take into account just how
many people oppose this policy. When FWC staff stopped counting letters
and e-mail messages on May 23, there were some 7,000 comments in total;
more than 5,000 of those messages opposed this policy. On the day of the
hearing hundreds of Florida residents turned out to share their positive
experiences with TNR and express their opposition to the proposed policy,
but the FWC had clearly made its decision before hearing public comment.
I ask that the policy in the form that it has been passed be rescinded, and
request that an independent scientific study be commissioned to explore
this issue. I also recommend an inquiry into the decision making process
the FWC used to adopt this policy.
Sincerely,
title