Feeders.

People who take care of stray cats are called ‘feeders’ or caretakers and some of them spend more than $200 a month just for cat food to feed the colonies offeral cats that roam the city. Spare Cat Rescue, a Carthage area group dedicated to the care and protection of feral cats, hopes to expand their formal Trap, Neuter and Release (TNR) program with the help ofthose who already care for the animals.

The TNR program enlists the help of willing Carthage citizens in catching feral cats that are then neutered, vaccinated against rabies, ear clipped and returned to their colony in the wild. Similar actions in other cities have helped stabilize the feral population, reduce incidence of disease and limit the number of cats killed in shelters.

Members of Spare Cat Rescue addressed the City Council’s public safety committee last week on the issue of several amendments necessary to fully legalize the TNR program. As ofnow, Section 4:22 limits the number ofdogs and cats Carthage resident may own. Such rules would need to be amended for those wishing to assist in managing a feral colony.

A typical phone call at the office:

"Hello"

"Hello, this is Maria from the psychic benevolent support group for the organization of united brotherhood of unicorn revivalists."

"That’s amazing," I respond, "I was just thinking of your work."

"We have been receiving mental inquiries from your office and are calling to open the channels of telepathy for your convenience and contribution to our cause."

"That’s unreal," I continue, "I’m sitting here with $10,000 burning a hole in my pocket and was just wondering’ where I could spend it. I’m elated that you took the time out of your busy day just to contact me."

"This is a recorded message," I hear. "For more information press pound."

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

---

THIS IS A HAMMER

By Samantha Mazzotta

Indoor Pool Reeks of Chlorine

Q: My parents moved into a condominium complex for retirees that has an indoor pool. The pool just reeks of chlorine all the time, and I don’t think it’s healthy. What can I say to the condo management to get them to reduce the amount of chlorine in the pool? I worry about my dad’s breathing. -- Larry L., Omaha

A: Tell them basically what you’ve told me. The management may try to reassure you that the levels of chlorine are safe or that the odor of chlorine is to be expected in an indoor environment. And they may be correct -- a mild chlorine odor is not unexpected around a heated pool in an enclosed area.

But if the odor of chlorine is irritating or overpowering, the manager may want to check with the maintenance crew to make sure their pool maintenance procedures are effective. Indoor pools need extra attention, especially pools used by many people. The pH balance needs to be monitored and quickly correctly. The pool area needs to be adequately vented so that gases emitted during the chlorination process exit quickly and fresh air comes in.

Swimming procedures may need to be reviewed, along with maintenance, if an acrid smell or cloudy water is noticed. Swimmers should rinse off before climbing into the pool; the condo association can remind residents of this.

So, communicate your concerns to management, and encourage your parents to communicate the problem at their next condo association meeting (or do so by proxy if legally allowed). Swimming is supposed to be an enjoyable experience, not an hour of eye-watering misery.

HOME TIP: Achieving pH balance is critical to pool health. High pH slows chlorine/sanitizer activity, while low pH speeds chlorine activity but may lead to strong chlorine odor and an acid feel to the water