Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 21, 1991 TAG: 9103220056
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ROBERTA ENGLISH/ STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
She and other members of the Roanoke Organization for Animal Rights recently set out to find good homes for 50 cats before spring. And they did so with the care and attention of child- rather than cat-adoption agents.
"If you take cat adoption through the same procedures that you take . . . child [adoption], then we will have elevated cats to the status they deserve," Hale said.
ROAR, whose slogan is "If you don't want it, remember, we do," places from 30 to 50 cats a year, said Hale. But, she points out that adopting a cat from them is no automatic transaction. The organization looks out for the welfare of its cats by interviewing prospective owners, whom Hale calls "parents."
The agents ask about previous experience with animals and how an applicant would care for a sick or dying cat, Hale said.
If the applicant is acceptable, he or she then must sign a contract in which he agrees to treat the cat with the best care, which includes taking it to a veterinarian within two weeks of the adoption and having it neutered. ROAR doesn't charge an adoption fee.
The animal-rights group also reserves the right to make unexpected follow-up visits to check on the cat. The contract gives them the power to "repossess" cats receiving poor care. Hale said these procedures are the only way to ensure the cats' well-being.
ROAR was founded two years ago by Roanoker Ann Rogers. The organization has been involved in marches in Washington and regularly holds protests at rodeos and traveling circuses, including Barnum & and Bailey. Hale said there are 200 members.
ROAR members also subscribe to veganism, which means they have omitted all animal products in their diets, including eggs and cheese.
Rogers was a member of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals before she formed ROAR. When she saw a bootleg videotape of how chimpanzees are used in AIDS research, she decided to form a spinoff group.
"The image of those chimpanzees was more than I could take," Rogers said.
ROAR is now working with Rep. Jim Olin's office to improve animal laws, Rogers said.
"We want to influence legislation in favor of animals and educate the public," Rogers said.
The animal-rights organization's newest concern is the growing birth rate of cats and the subsequent deaths of many in overcrowded animal shelters, Hale said.
"Euthanasia [for cats] is heartbreaking because this can be remedied with one law," Hale said.
Hale said the only way to control America's cat problem is to enforce a mandatory neutering law.
Rogers said a similar ordinance was enacted in California. The organization plans to propose such a law to Roanoke City Council soon, she said.
Hale said many so-called cat lovers contribute to the problem by ignoring their responsibility to neuter their cats. She said those people think they are doing the shelter a favor by bringing in a basket of cute little kittens.
"You just feel like jerking them up," Hale said. "The kittens are like flowers: They live for a few days and die when there is no space left."
Hale said a classified ad ROAR placed has resulted in about 100 calls from people wanting to adopt cats. She expects only about 20 of those applicants to be qualified.
The main hindrance is money to neuter a cat, which can cost up to $60 in Roanoke, Hale said. She is trying to contact veterinarians who will perform the procedure at lower rates.
"If you can't spay it, then how can you feed it or pay medical bills?" Hale asked. "You'd just end up taking the litters to shelters."
There are more cats being born daily, so Hale realizes that her job is never done.
If you're interested in adopting a cat through ROAR, call 342-3926 or 342-0475.
by CNB