ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, December 21, 1996 TAG: 9612230078
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: NORFOLK
The fur is flying between two animal lovers groups that can't agree on caring for stray cats living along the city's waterfront.
Both groups want the cats neutered, vaccinated and fed. But People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals want the cats adopted as pets. The Meower Power League believes the cats should stay on the docks to catch rats because there aren't enough homes for them.
On Wednesday, the dispute became a physical confrontation as two cat-lovers struggled for control of one trapped feline and police were called.
``I support the basic tenets of what PETA is about,'' said John Newton, a league volunteer and one of Wednesday's cat fight participants. ``They've got to get rid of this misconception that the cats are leading wretched, miserable lives. I fail to see the cruel treatment of an animal in this case.''
PETA, which moved its national headquarters to Norfolk this year, contends the cats are sick and miserable and should be taken off the street.
PETA doesn't send the cats it traps to local shelters, where they probably would be euthanized, said Ingrid Newkirk, a PETA founder. Instead, they are sent to heated barns owned by wealthy PETA members.
But she acknowledged, ``We're a bit full up at the moment.''
Cats in Norfolk's waterfront industrial areas live in warehouses, under train cars and around wooden pallets. Meower Power organizer Cynthia Moose said the cats provide free rodent control.
``This place would be overrun with rats if they didn't have cats over here,'' she said. ``These animals are not abused, and they're not neglected.''
League members spend their own money to get shots for the cats and feed them.
LENGTH: Short : 41 linesby CNB