Better Send Vice-President Cheyney to Israel

It seems that the beautiful Israeli town of Rishon LeTzion is being overrun by 50,000 to 100,000 stray cats. And the town is fighting back by passing an ordinance requiring the local animal lovers to get permits if they wish to continue feeding these critters

Sarit Ayalon, 44, of Rishon Letzion, has been feeding stray cats since childhood. She goes to the window and calls Prince, a furry black cat who is her favorite among the six cats she cares for. Ayalon's love costs her over NIS 1,000 each month for food and medicine, and she also has them spayed and neutered. "It's all out of my own pocket, and I don't ask help from anyone. Instead of buying myself another outfit I spend the money on antibiotics and food," she says.

However, a new bylaw passed by the municipality a few months ago has sparked a wave of protest among the city's cat feeders and animal welfare organizations. According to this law, any resident who feeds a cat will have to obtain a special permit, after meeting strict criteria: setting up an orderly "feeding station" approved by city hall, spaying or neutering and ensuring that only the number of cats specified in the permit eat from the plate. Residents who fail to comply with the new regulations will be fined NIS 600.

Now I like cats, but they never taught me in Hebrew School that the Promished Land was also the stray cat capital of the world.

Well, they could send Vice President Cheyney t the rescue, though everyone in town would want to pay very close attention as to where his Gun is pointing!