'A sad thing that happens': Town of Arborg dealing with increase in stray cats

A town in Manitoba's Interlake area is trying to find new homes for stray cats that were dumped in the community.
Cindy Stansell, the town's chief administrative officer, said the problems started a couple weeks ago when some residents in one neighbourhood brought forward concerns about an increase in the stray cat population.
"Typically, we do see it increase this time of year with the weather warming up," Stansell told CTV News, adding there does seem to be more of an increase this year.
She said the town's bylaw officer visited the area and counted at least 20 stray cats.
"These cats specifically, we believe, were stray cats that have just been unfortunately dumped in the community, which is a sad thing that happens," she said, adding in some cases, litters of farm cats end up roaming Arborg's streets.
"They don't want to keep all the cats and then, they unfortunately decide they want to dump it in the community."
To deal with the increase in strays, the town has issued a notice to residents that its bylaw officer will be trapping roaming cats. Those that are unclaimed will be re-homed.
The effort will continue until the town sees a noticeable difference.
Stansell said so far four cats have been brought in and will be staying with the bylaw officer until they find new homes. She said the town will not be putting any of the cats down unless it's required due to health reasons, but she said that would only happen on the recommendation of the town's veterinarian.
The stray cats that have been caught so far will be spayed or neutered before they find their new homes.
"In this case, the best situation is to make sure they are spayed and neutered so that you can at least contain the population," she said.
In the meanwhile, Stansell said the town is asking pet owners to be responsible and get their animals spayed or neutered.
"We're encouraging people not to dump their cat into our community," she said.
Residents interested in giving a home to one of these stray cats can call the Town Office at 204-376-2647. More information can be found on the Town of Arborg's website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
O'Toole says CSIS told him he was focus of Chinese misinformation, suppression effort
Conservative MP Erin O'Toole says Canada's spy agency has told him he was the target of Chinese interference intended to to discredit him and promote false narratives about his policies while party leader.

U.S. officer shoots at truck driver near N.B. border crossing
Traffic is back up and running through the border crossing between Woodstock, N.B., and Houlton, Maine, after a security scare Monday.
Blue Jays pitcher 'truly sorry' for sharing anti-LGBTQ2S+ video
Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Anthony Bass said he is 'truly sorry' for sharing a controversial anti-LGBTQ2S+ video on Instagram.
Low sexual satisfaction linked to memory decline later in life: study
Low sexual satisfaction in middle age could be linked to future memory decline, according to a new study.
Human rights activist confirmed to be held in Chinese detention centre: family in Canada
Chinese authorities have confirmed that human rights activist Dong Guangping has been held in a Chinese detention centre since October of last year, according to the man's family in Canada.
Police identify engaged couple shot dead after dispute with landlord near Hamilton
A young couple shot and killed after a dispute with their landlord near Hamilton have been identified by police.
Priest charged in alleged sexual assault of 8-year-old girl on Manitoba First Nation
Manitoba RCMP have arrested a priest from a First Nation community who is accused of sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl, and believe there may be more victims.
B.C. teacher who singled out students over their breasts, bathroom-use suspended for 5 days
A B.C. high school teacher is facing a five-day suspension and course requirement after making multiple students feel uncomfortable or embarrassed about their bodies—and it’s not the first time he’s been disciplined in the past decade.
Federal government aiming to dispose of half of its office buildings with hybrid work here to stay
The federal government is planning to offload up to half of its office buildings across the country, citing the rise in remote and hybrid work.