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Letter: Missed the point

For the Monitor

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

The Monitor’s Feb. 22 editorial on feral cat colonies seems to have missed the point of Trap-Neuter-Release, a humane method of limiting the feral cat population.

Of more concern than the colony near the river are people who feed stray cats without TNR, allowing them to reproduce exponentially until they become a problem. Then some of the several hard-working TNR people in the area are called in to deal with them.

A smaller number but still of concern are unneutered pet cats who are allowed outdoors. If cost of surgery is an issue, there are a number of spay/neuter programs in the area – including a state program which last I knew was unfunded (hello, legislators – it won’t take a casino to fund a spay/neuter program!) and one recently started by Petco.

Feeding feral cats reduces their need to kill wildlife in order to survive. Cats, being very intelligent creatures, are opportunists who know which side their bread is buttered on. While they will still catch some prey, they are happy to get a meal they don’t have to work for.

Also, there is ongoing research into methods of birth control that can be delivered by food. When a successful method is found, delivery will be quick and easy to colonies that are already being fed.

We all want the numbers of feral colonies and shelter populations decreased. Those of us who live with cats know them to be affectionate, intelligent beings full of heart and soul and humor. As stewards of the planet we must treat them humanely.

JUDI WISHART

Concord

Nature_Advocate wrote:
07/03/2013

Anyone who feeds these stray and feral cats is actually training them to approach humans for food (contrary to them always claiming feral cats run from humans). What happens to the child or foolish adult that reaches down to pet or try to pick up that now seemingly friendly "cute kitty"? The wild animal lashes out and bites or scratches the hand that has no food for them. Google for: feral cat attack rabies Don't be surprised at the number of search-hits you get or the horrendous stories that go with them. The number of suspected rabies cases and the then required mandatory rabies shots for each individual costing them well over $1000 out of their own pockets, has been growing as exponentially fast as cats breed. Ask a cat-feeder to pay for your shots and lost work-time and suffering? Neither they, nor shelters, nor the local government who supports TNR carry ONE PENNY of liability insurance for the deadly dangers they are bringing to their communities by allowing them to feed and TNR stray cats. Two recent reports even document rabid cats entering a home through their pet-door and one even came through their ceiling searching for human-supplied foods -- one attack so bad it required hospitalization for the family. Let's make 2013 the year where ALL aspects of TNR are ILLEGAL nationwide. It's the only solution.
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