Enact cat bylaws
I would like to support Murray Dobbin's comments in his recent column [“Counterpoint: Keep your cats indoors,” July 19]. I think it’s time that cat owners realized the harm that their cats are doing to native wildlife, as well as the health hazard and inconvenience caused to their neighbours.
I get to observe this on a daily basis with well-fed neighbourhood cats stalking and prowling my bird-friendly yard, sitting under my birdbath and laying in wait by my hummingbird feeder. Sometimes I hear the shriek of a young robin being torn apart by a cat, leaving a trail of feathers.
I went to complain to my next door neighbour about his cat, only to discover his open garbage with the body of an exotic looking songbird laying there. Neighbourhood cats come to my yard to defecate and spray under my deck or right in my veggie patch. Confronting another neighbour about this, the answer was that they couldn’t leave kitty indoors because it would spray in their house (but presumably okay to spray in my garden).
I do not allow my dog the same freedom to wander the neighbourhood and poop on the sidewalk, or to run rampant through neighbour's gardens to destroy wildlife. Reasonably, by law, my dog has to be licensed and controlled. I really have to wonder why the same rules do not apply to cats? We need to see bylaws enacted and enforced that address this problem.
Wild birds face multiple challenges with climate change affecting their migrations, as well as habitat loss, and we are seeing their numbers plummet. We urgently need to see social attitudes change in this regard, much in the same way that cigarette smoking in public gradually became regulated, despite the protests of smokers, for the good and health of us all.
Let's all help to protect our native bird species, and be good neighbours, by keeping cats indoors.
Ken Palfrey
Maple Avenue
Programs overlooked
In your recent editorial ["Funding follies," July 26] you talked about setting up a program at Powell River Recreation Complex for underprivileged youth. We currently offer a number of such programs.
Powell River Recreation Access Program is run through the Ministry of Social Development and currently offers 20 swimming and skating visits for those on BC Benefits (income assistance). The program has recently been expanded with more info on that to come. Also, there are two great programs for grade five and six students.
We have the grade five Get Active Program, which gives all grade five students in City of Powell River free access to all of our drop-in programs from January to August of their grade five year. Students can come into the complex to sign up for this.
There is also the grade six Stay Active Program, which offers all grade sixes a 10-visit pass to be used during January to August of their grade six year.
We also have the Partners in Play Program with Quality Foods where patrons can trade in their Quality Foods points for Rec Bucks. These can be used for any programs we offer here at the complex; 200,000 points gets you a $20 gift certificate.
Finally, we have a Send a Kid to Camp Program that we take donations and raise money for to send underprivileged kids to camp.
Ray Dubé
Arena and Sport Program Coordinator, City of Powell River
Class act
My wife and I volunteered this past week on behalf of BC Golf Association at the Senior Men’s Championships held at Myrtle Point Golf Course [“Seniors golfers play for titles,” July 26].
We have lived a significant portion of our lives in smaller communities and know how those communities can step up and meet challenges, as well as embrace opportunities.
Citizens of Powell River can be extremely proud of the efforts of members of your community to address the needs and opportunity of hosting this tournament.
From the readiness of the golf course to the great food and service in the Orca Bar and Grill and, last but not least, the many, many local volunteers, the entire week was a tremendous and wonderful experience. Special recognition and gratitude must go to Bob Allen and his team.
I know Powell River residents are very proud of your community and, from us to you, you have every reason to be. Looking forward to our next visit.
Frank van Gisbergen
Courntenay, BC
