NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN PAGE 3 merrittherald.com
MERRITT GETS THE BLUES PAGE 5
PACIFIC SPORT UPDATE PAGE 9
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MERRITT HERALD FREE
TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2012 • MERRITT NEWSPAPERS
Merritt storefront clear of stray cats Legal note triggers cat rescue group’s exit By Phillip Woolgar THE HERALD
reporter@merrittherald.com
A year-long battle to rid the building at 1960 Quilchena Avenue of an estimated 104 cats has finally played out, but the City of Merritt’s bylaw services officer is being cautious before declaring victory. Bob Davis patrols the streets of Merritt most days and has heard from businesses about a disgusting smell emanating from the former cat house. One neighbouring business owner went so far as to refuse to renew his lease if the cat colony remained, and the City revoked the Nicola Valley Animal Rescue’s business license in April. Four months later, only a few scratching posts remain in the former cat shelter. “The cat’s are gone, but where did they go?” Davis said, noting the owners moved the cats
SUMMER DAYS Shelby Hair catches some air at the Merritt Skate Park on Thursday. Hair and his friends practiced tricks on their skateboards while other kids rode their scooters up and down the ramps of the concrete park on the sunny summer day. Jade Swartzberg/Herald
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last Sunday. “I am so pleased that we finally got them out of there, but it begs the question, where are they?” A member of the Nicola Valley Animal Rescue, which managed the cat shelter, told Davis the felines went to Vancouver. “But I don’t know a city in North America that would be willing to come forward and take 104 cats,” he said. “Every city already has a cat problem.” Despite the removal of the cats, at least eight feeding stations remain stocked throughout the city. Angie Koczkur, a director with the NVAR, didn’t respond to Merritt Herald phone calls by press time. However, in an email dated April 4 — several days after the City ordered the eviction — NVAR member Amber Fearnley had this to say: “As a result of an inspection, the fire department, the health department and the SPCA all approved the shelter premises. “We do not know the grounds upon
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