From Franny Syufy,
Your Guide to Cats.
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The problem of feral cats is one that has been with us for generations, but over the past few years has come to the attention of catlovers everywhere. Feral cats are in most cases the direct result of ignorance on the part of cat "owners", who do not attend to timely neutering of their pets, then choose (perhaps by the kindest, though misguided intentions) to dispose of the unwanted kittens by dumping them in a public place to fend for themselves. Cats' basic air of independence leads many to believe that they do not need the same kind of care and attention that a dog owner would take for granted. Thus, those few kittens that can survive will, of course, breed a new generation of basically "wild" cats.

My own beloved Bubba and Shannon could have easily fallen into that category. Bubba, as I've mentioned in previous features, was found on a riverbank where he had apparently been abandoned by his owner. Shannon was discovered in a large park, near starvation, and showing evidence of intentional mistreatment. They (and we) were the lucky ones; thousands of other cats in similar situations do not survive.

Although most cat afficianados agree that feral cats are a problem, the solution is one of dispute among humane groups. Many still believe that trapping and euthanasia is the solution. However, feral rescue groups, inspired in a large part by Alley Cat Allies, have had huge successes with TNR (trap, neuter, and return to the colony) for feral cats. Alley Cat Allies' mission statement describes this philosophy best:

Founded in 1990, Alley Cat Allies is part of an international effort working to promote, foster, and develop humane nonlethal control programs for feral and stray cats through sterilization programs that effectively reduce their numbers over a period of time. Alley Cat Allies respects the sanctity of life and the rights of individual animals and embraces proactive preventative control methods, i.e. trap-neuter-return.

In December of 1996, animal rights groups were enraged when the East Bay Regional Park District Board (California) hired a contractor from a Federal Agency: "Animal Damage Control," to shoot and kill feral cats that were part of a human-fed colony in Garin Regional Park near Hayward, CA. Members of Community Concern for Cats and other cat lovers, who had been feeding the feral cats as part of a trap-neuter-release program, raised an outcry of rage at these killings. The cat-killing incident was widely publicized and led to a surge of attendees at an EBRP Board meeting.

Becky Robinson of Alley Cat Allies told the board that traditional programs to eradicate cats never work. A program of managed feeding, trapping and sterilizing is the best way to go, to prevent the "Vacuum Effect" (As existing cats are killed, new cats move into the colony).

District officials, backed by various Audubon Society leaders and other environmentalists, said hunting cats take a serious toll on native birds and rodents and should not be encouraged to live in lands that were set aside to preserve the natural environment. However, board members agreed to conduct an 18-month study that would:

1. Work to increase public understanding that it's illegal to dump pets on park lands.
2. Follow a pilot program in San Mateo County's Coyote Point Park, where cat lovers can feed and trap feral and abandoned felines for neutering. Most are put up for adoption, but some are returned to the parks.
3. Attempt to work with animal welfare groups on nonlethal methods of removing cats from parks.

At issue remains re-release. Board member John Sutter said, "I cannot support the idea of releasing cats back in the parks. It is absolutely contrary to the mission of the district. Angry cat lovers disagree. "There must be a site where we could let these cats that are totally feral live out their lives," said Doreta Chaney Reinhart of the group Community Concern for cats.

In any case, we would like for cat-loving taxpayers to mull over the justice in our tax dollars being used for the Federal Government to hire killers for the purpose of shooting feral cats. We don't think so!! If you agree, please write your Congressional Representative.

In recent years, the United States and Canada have seen a surge of volunteer cat rescue organizations devoted to the process of "feed, trap, neuter and release". This alternative, combined with other groups who target their efforts to the finding of homes for the homeless and returning cats to their original "owners", with the philosophy that "euthanasia is not an option", promises a glimmer of hope in the long range for our feline friends.

Photo of feral cats in Venice, copyright Art Today, used with permission.