For the Humane Society (Herald, June 8) to take full credit for the decline in the feral cat population in La Plata County and surrounding counties over the last several years is extremely inaccurate, if not dishonest.
The Humane Society, which has always been much more of a dog-centric organization, had almost nothing to do with the introduction of a no-kill TNR (trap, neuter and return) program into La Plata County. For years, with little or no support from the Humane Society, the efforts and resources of one person, Padgie Kimmick, accounted for the trapping and neutering of close to 10,000 cats.
During that time, when Padgie tried to get the Humane Society on board, she was often met with resistance and resentment for her suggestions. Much later, when Dogsters got involved and Wendy Houghton contributed money, mobile spay and neuter clinics were started.
But, until two years ago when Padgie retired from her own TNR program, she was the person in the field getting dirty and bloodied doing the actual trapping. Since then, the Humane Society has taken over the TNR program. And in 2014, they finally gave Padgie the recognition she deserved by naming her Animal Advocate of the Year.
The Humane Society deserves support for continuing this program, but they should also continue to give the real credit for the success of the TNR program to Padgie Kimmick, without whose efforts the Humane Society might still be inundated with and euthanizing large numbers of kittens and feral cats.
Bob Kimmick
Durango
