Covington residents seeking donations after cat houses torn down
COVINGTON, KY (FOX19) - Residents in Covington are upset after hand-made cat houses were torn down by city officials.
The TriState Noah Project, along with students from Kenton County Public Schools, built plastic outdoor shelters in an effort to take care of neighborhood stray cats.
On Friday, those homes were bulldozed by the city’s Department of Public Improvement.
“For them to say they didn’t know is a lie, we’ve had a run-in with them before,” said Laura Beth, the founder of the TriState Noah Project, an animal advocate group. “The key here is education.”
TriState Noah Project, called the city out saying it needs to do better. The organization is also asking for people to donate five replacement shelters.
A spokesperson said the department was cleaning up the area and “included in that trash were some boxes and taped-up tubs with holes cut in them."
“There was nothing identifying these as a ‘school project,’ and no one has ever asked to have a conversation with the city to talk about such a project or program,” the spokesperson said.
“It takes effort. We need straw, tape, we have to cut the bins, we have to find someone to transport. It’s a project and it’s something to feel good about,” Beth said.
The Covington area has many outdoor felines known as “community cats.”
Community cats have been ear-tipped, sterilized, and vaccinated under the Trap-Neuter-Return Program and are exempt from licensing, stray, and at-large provisions of this ordinance. Any street cats can be spayed or neutered for free at participating shelters which can be found here.
“We can’t emphasize enough the importance of understanding how much these animals need our help, especially during winter months. TNR is not enough-they need food and shelter,” The TriState Noah Project posted on Facebook.
The group also said, “We just spoke to Joe Meyer, City Mayor. He was apologetic about this and agreed there is a miscommunication on this issue.”
If you would like to donate a shelter, please contact, Kenton County Animal Shelter.
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