Winneshiek County's "Recycling Cat" is retiring

Ash, the recycling center cat

Winneshiek County Recycling Center's "top cat" is retiring on Wednesday.  "Ash" has been patrolling the recycling facility, keeping it free of rodents, for many years. 

Winneshiek County Recycling Director Terry Buenzow says a facility like the recycling center needs a good cat to chase away or kill rodents and other pests.  That's because poison can't be used in a recycling center, but rodents can do damage if they're left to roam around.

"Ash killed everything in sight," says Buenzow, who says the cat even chased away feral cats from the recycling center grounds.  "We treat him like a co-worker," says Buenzow.

However, Ash's battle with feline leukemia has become too much, so he will be moving to the home of a Decorah area resident for respite care.  Ash will pass along his recycling center duties to his grandson, "Ash Kitty," and his granddaughter, "Ashley."  "They perform such a service," says Buenzow.

But before Ash leaves, there's an open house for him all day Wednesday.  The Recycling Center is inviting the public to stop in at the facility in Freeport on Wednesday to say goodbye to Ash.