Alberta mayor apologizes for comments about killing feral cats

The mayor of Fort Saskatchewan apologized on Thursday for comments she made earlier this week about killing feral cats.

"I sincerely apologize for the remarks and any hurt they may have caused," Mayor Gale Katchur said in a written statement. "As the City of Fort Saskatchewan's mayor, I represent our community's commitment to humane and thoughtful approaches to all issues, including animal management. I deeply regret that my comments fell short of this standard."

"Moving forward, I will ensure that my comments and our approach to managing animal populations reflect our community’s dedication to humane and responsible practices."

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Katchur's comments were made during a committee of the whole meeting on Tuesday during a discussion about feral cats.

"When it comes to feral cats, it would be cruel to say, but it would be interesting if people could deal with them themselves. Like, I’m going to say, in the old days when you lived on the farm," Katchur said with a chuckle.

"When you lived on the farm, if there was (sic) cats, you threw them in a bag and threw them in the river or they just put them on the exhaust pipes," she said, chuckling a second time.

Katchur said she previously lived on a farm and her daughter currently lives on a farm.

Her comments were in regards to a proposal by city staff that feral cats be relocated to a rural outdoor residence or farm.

After the farm comments, she also remarked, "I hope that doesn't get captured anywhere."

The City of Fort Saskatchewan publishes a recording of city meetings to YouTube.

A presentation to the committee by city staff showed in 2023, Fort Saskatchewan had 66 cat complaints, 33 reports of cats at large, and three feral cat reports.

The numbers were actually down from 2022, when there were 101 cat complaints, 92 cats at large reported, and three feral cat reports.

In the presentation, the city defined a feral cat as wild or born in a wild state and aggressive or difficult to catch and handle.

A cat at large is defined in the presentation as socialized to people, lost or abandoned.

Animal groups condemn comments

The Alberta SPCA and the Edmonton Humane Society put out a joint statement on Thursday condemning Katchur's comments.

"While we applaud the community for discussing responsible pet ownership bylaws, we are incredibly disappointed anyone would make such callous comments about the treatment of animals, let alone a community leader," said Alberta SPCA executive director Leanne Niblock.

"Decades of progress in animal welfare have provided effective, non-lethal solutions, such as Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), which help manage feral cat populations responsibly and humanely," said Edmonton Humane Society CEO, Liza Sunley. "Euthanasia, when necessary, should always be conducted humanely by veterinary professionals," she added.

Both organizations noted that anyone who took the actions described in the video could be charged under the Criminal Code of Canada and/or under the Animal Protection Act.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) also weighed in on the controversy on Thursday afternoon.

"Mayor Katchur's deplorable comments promoting illegal cruelty to animals demonstrate all too well the many dangers that outdoor cats face at the hands of cruel people who would kill them in horrific, violent ways," Lisa Lange of PETA said in a news release. "Everyone can help keep cats safe by keeping them indoors—and shelters can do their part by always taking in cats in need."

The group says the comments also spurred a new PETA video campaign, which depicts the killing of cats in four different ways. 

Second councillor weighs in on euthanization

Another member of the committee, Coun. Brian Kelly, noted in the meeting that he disagrees with the city's definition of feral cats, suggesting all outdoor cats are feral.

"If they're not in the house where they belong or on a leash where they belong they are feral because they act feral. Period."

A second option detailed by city staff to deal with feral cats is to hold them for 72 hours and then euthanize them.

 "This does create an increased risk both for physical hazards for our officers, as well as psychological hazards for them," peace officer Ben Sharpe said during the presentation.

Kelly then suggested he was in favour of an option to euthanize feral cats.

"To suggest that we don't have a problem is ridiculous. To suggest that we don’t want to deal with it because we are going to hurt feelings, pardon me, is ridiculous," he said.

"If in fact it's a psychological damage to a staff member, get another staff member. And if you have trouble getting a staff member, I will give you my phone number. I volunteer, OK?"

Kelly also agreed with Katchur's characterization of dealing with animals on the farm.

"It is simply a fact of life," he said. "The fact you haven’t heard of it doesn’t change that it’s a fact of life. The next time you unwrap your steak and throw it on the barbecue, take a minute and ponder where that steak comes from."

Ultimately, the committee asked city administration to bring a report on the situation before council in October.

Fort Saskatchewan is about 30 kilometres northeast of Edmonton.