Giving cats a bad rap

Giving cats a bad rap

Cats are not the number one predator of wildlife.

Studies show that the main cause of wildlife depletion is the destruction of habitat due to man-made structures, chemical pollution, pesticides and climate changes.

I take issue with a July 17 column by Scott Shalaway about the need to control cats. When a cat relies on hunting for food, birds make-up only a small percentage of a cat’s diet. Ornithologists estimate about 90 millions birds die each year by flying into windows.

Cats have been hunting mice since the beginning of history. The rodent population has not been destroyed. In many areas, feral cats are valued for managing rodent populations. Organic farmers list feral cats under their rodent control methods.

There is no scientific evidence that shows cats have a significant impact on mainland wild life populations.

Darelen Mollica, Boardman

Voter registration isn’t forever

Do you know when you go to vote in an election or sign a petition your vote or signature may be tossed out because you waited too long to vote in an election or update your address?

Yes, folks, your all important right to have your voice heard may not mean a darn thing. It is important that you vote at every primary and election or you risk being purged out of the system and must reregister as a voter. That all important petition you just signed did not mean a thing. Your signature was tossed out. On the proposed constitutional amendment regarding health care, 397 petitions out of 3,515 were ruled invalid in Mahoning County. Many signatures were rejected due to incorrect addresses within the same county, name changes, no longer registered due to nonvoting, illegible signatures, and change of address cards incorrect.

Also the law requires that you be notified twice if you do not vote in previous elections. So contact or reregister as soon as you can so you will be an eligible voter.

Cheryl Trapnell, Campbell