Reply from Mayors office re Olympic Feral cats

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

They have obviously had so many letters on the same theme a standard reply is being used so it can be copy and pasted with a new name an address added .

Standard practise in government when you get swamped with letters on the same subject and saying basically the same.

One of the keys to getting something different is to ask a meaningful and different question as I think bc recommended.

[Ela]

Is it possible for some of you who have had replies to contact the office again and advise them how surprised you were to find that the same number of cats  have been quoted were quoted weeks ago?

[Dawn F]

OH has just rung, got my response, it is word for word the same as yours Mark but then I'm not surprised, still at least they responded I suppose

[kelly-joy]

Lets just hope they are true to there word

[blackcat]

yes it was a follow-up article in the Evening Standard - I buy it for the crosswords on the train home ...

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

somewhere i rewad confirmation that CHAT would be called in again and the policy had been reversed.

[Mark]

I note the number of cats rescued hasn't changed in the last few weeks. Makes me a bit suspicious.

[Dawn F]

it'll probably be a standard letter but it doesn't do any harm for them to know people are watching

[Mark]

I think we will all get the same response. I guess when quite a few people get involved, they have to do something. I still don't think it goes far enough. Who knows how carefully they will check before demolishing anything?

[Dawn F]

hope that means they will reply to my letter as well

[Mark]

Just received an answer to the email I sent a couple of weeks ago. I hope it helps Celia Hammond. Knowing that the Mayors office are on their case, the ODA might be a bit more careful about the whole situation.

Dear Mr Brennan,

The Rescue of Cats on the Olympic Site

Thank you for your email in regard to the rescuing of feral cats at the
 Olympic Site.  As Senior Policy Officer for Animal Protection I have
 been asked to reply.

I have been in communication with the Olympic Delivery Authority over
 this matter. The ODA have informed me that they have instructed their
 contractors to keep a watching brief and survey any buildings for feral
 cats before demolition.  Should any evidence of feral cats especially
 kittens, lactating or pregnant cats be identified in an area designated
 for demolition, then I understand that the Celia Hammond Animal Trust
 will be contacted immediately so the cats can be removed. To date the
 Trust have captured 147 cats.

Any legally protected species found on the site are being carefully
 relocated to appropriate locations.  Large numbers of common amphibians
 and reptiles have also been relocated despite there being no legal
 obligation to do so.

I hope this alleviates some of your concerns as outlined in your email.
 

Yours sincerely,

Sally Hamilton
Senior Policy Officer  - Animal Protection.