A renovation project in Casper, Wyoming, has been stalled by an unexpected infestation of feral cats, which a local contractor described as 'cat squatters.' Dustin Crapo, owner of CbG Construction LLC, is overseeing the remodel of a house that has been overrun by cats for over a year. He believes the property has contributed to the neighborhood's wider feral cat population.
The home's interior was found in a state of severe disarray, with seven litter boxes, carpeting saturated with cat urine, grimy windows, and damaged cabinets. Crapo reported that moldy cat food had been found clogging drains, requiring the use of respirators and dust masks for his crew due to the unsanitary conditions. Despite efforts to clean the property, including removing flooring, replacing drywall, and treating the house with enzymes and odor-blocking primer, the pervasive smell of the cats' occupation remains.
Mileage may vary, but there is no doubt that every single day counts. The work began in May after Crapo's firm was hired by a real estate acquisition company to remodel the house.
Casper faces a persistent issue with feral cats, which the city's Metro Animal Services attempts to manage through a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program. This initiative, established by a city council ordinance in 2023, aims to control the feral cat population by neutering and returning the animals, rather than euthanizing them. Previously, animal services had the authority to euthanize feral cats. A proposal in 2020 to ban feeding stray cats was met with opposition from animal rights groups and was ultimately dropped.
Crapo stated that when he contacted animal services for assistance in capturing the cats, he was informed that he would need to trap them himself or bring any trapped cats to the shelter. He expressed frustration, questioning the purpose of his tax dollars if he is required to perform the duties of animal control. When Crapo attempted to deliver a trapped cat to the shelter, he was told it was already full, and he was not given a specific reason why animal services could not undertake the trapping themselves.
Crapo described the current project as the most challenging he has encountered, recalling a previous rehabilitation project where his crew discovered over 1,000 used syringes alongside cat waste. However, he characterized the 'cat squatter house' situation as more difficult.
