"Populations of skunks and other vermin has exploded. "

Nonsense statement as it has no point of relativity. Skunks will not spray unless threatened. Even before, they give warning standing upside down on front legs and waving hind legs. Something must have happened to provoke animal to spray. I have 2 skunks living in the area and they never bother anybody, and cross the street 2-3 times a day.

I agree about food waste issue, and solution is to impose a city wide mandate of garbage bins stored in a box with tight lid, and box itself on 4-6 inch legs off the ground.

You left out groundhogs, squirrels, pigeons and rats (and I'd be happy if the cats would take out that infernal mockingbird that wakes me up at 5:30 in the morning, not to mention the pet McCow that screeches all day and the dog walkers who don't clean up after their dogs). Welcome to the neighborhood (and don't blame the city if they say they can't do anything about it, because they really can't).

Mothballs repell most wild animals.

Jim Fischer, wildlife did not invade city. City invaded animals' turf century and a half ago, and problems come with it. There were millions of birds in JC area when Industrial Revolution rolled in. Entire downtown up to foot of Palisade ridge was a tidal bay.

As to dog walkers who do not clean, they should have their noses rubbed in it.

Good points, and true enough. Unless one is a dog owner. In which case what used to be a peaceful evening walk is now like crossing a minefield. I've lost track of the number of times my dog has gotten skunked in my own back yard. Its awful to see.

Agree that feeding wildlife is a significant problem in this neighborhood. I see kibble left on the sidewalk at numerous locations along Liberty between North and Thorne, as well as at the corner of Thorne and Columbia. Skunks and other wild animals can carry rabies and pose a real threat to pets.

It is very difficult to enforce these health ordinances. You basically have to have the health inspector catch them in the act.
If you can get photos of the offenders, it's helpful. No one should be leaving food for animals on sidewalks, streets, in tree pits, etc. We have a couple at Garrison / Romaine who would walk the neighborhood with two 25-lb bags of rice, feeding pigeons. It took two full years of effort by numerous neighbors to get them to slow down a bit. But they have probably just gone to different streets.

I, for one, do not consider these animals to be vermin (except, maybe, the rats). They are part of our environment and, for the most part, were here well before us. Seeing them survive in the hostile environment we have created is a minor miracle. But, I agree about the feeding, it should be stopped, with more efforts in catch and fix to keep the cat population down. As for the wild animals, it is a fact that if you remove one from your environment another will simply take its place. It's what environmentalists call 'density per acre', Nature abhors a vacuum.

Skunks are wildlife and protected by NJ law and we have to share the environment with them. They are attracted by food so you can avoid running into them through deterrents (ie moth balls, sprinklers) or just by making sure your trash is secure.

The photo you posted is of caretakers feeding community cats, which is part of a Liberty Humane sponsored program of TNR (trap-neuter-return). Feeding is an essential part of TNR and you cannot reduce cat populations without feeding. TNR is the only humane solution to reduce community cat populations. Responsible cat colony caretakers will feed cats and then remove food, ensuring that it is not a lure for wildlife like racoons etc, who are dangerous to the cats. If you have a concern that your local colony caretakers are not following good foot protocols, call Liberty Humane or just politely speak with your neighbors.

As others have noted, there's not an explosion of non-human animals, there's an explosion of humans. We have to live together and share the outdoor spaces.

If your dog is lunging at wildlife, it's an excellent opportunity to engage in behavioral training, and all the more reason to respect leash ordinances and use designated off-leash areas like dog runs.

*food not foot obviously

Interesting points. However, none of the feral cats in this neighborhood seem to have the clipped ear which would indicate that they have been taken in by a caretaker for trap, neuter, release. I've seen at least two batches of kittens in the past year. So I find it difficult to believe that the folks in question are in fact working with Liberty Humane or a similar program. Perhaps they will be inspired to do so. That would indeed be the ethical thing to do. You mentioned the key word: "responsible." A caretaker works with a specific colony of feral cats. To travel many blocks to feed cats or other animals at multiple locations, on others' property, is not just irresponsible. Its anti-social.

Unlike domestic cats, skunks and raccoons are of course native to north america. Cat food, however, is not part of their natural diet. Their presence in an urban neighborhood, at such elevated population densities, is the result of irresponsible behavior by people.

Yes, if the colony caretakers you have photographed are not participating in earclipping, they might just be ignorant about proper caretaker procedures, and again, the best way to improve the situation is to contact Liberty Humane, who will happily get in touch with the caretakers to educate them and give them resources. No one anywhere in this conversation or your photos *wants* a fresh batch of hungry, scared, cold, kittens, ever. We all want fewer cats on the streets.

There are many colonies in Hoboken which do have proper earclipping etc.

Colony caretakers often travel to take care of colonies; relocating cats to new colonies is a very labor-intensive process. But caretakers use public property or ask for homeowners permission. They should not be doing caretaking on your property - again, if this is happening, call LHS. But public property is a big part of how it is feasible to do TNR work to humanely reduce the number of cats on the streets. Traveling many blocks (or to a different city entirely) is very common not just in cat trapping and TNR but in any animal rescue work whatsoever - resources in one place are thin and right next door they are plentiful. This is purposeful cooperation across blocks, municipalities, and the communities, which is definitely not anit-social.

Yes, domesticated cats get abandoned on the streets (horrendous and irresponsible behavior) and then have generations of kittens. TNR work seeks to address that for the benefit of people, cats, and wildlife. Again, feeding is not supposed to be done in such a way that it's also feeding wildlife. If you spot that, contact LHS.

Thank you for reporting an issue to the City of Jersey City. It is not appropriate to leave food out on public sidewalks. The Animal Response Team did dispatch an Animal Control Officer to provide education in the area regarding prohibited nuisance behavior.

Great information provided by other residents regarding securely fastening garbage containers and about the TNR provided by Liberty Humane Society. If you have other questions, please call the Animal Response Team at 201-547-4888