Feral Cats Aren't Wildlife

TRAP-NEUTER-RELEASE has not been proven to reduce the number of feral cats through natural attrition. Colonies tend to grow in size since not every cat can be trapped, and those that remain are fed and better able to breed.

The Cape May program has been touted as a success for many years, but where is the proof? Reduced rates of euthanasia at shelters do not mean that the actual number of feral cats is decreasing.

Feral cats are not wildlife. Their home is not outdoors.

Many adult feral cats can be socialized and adopted. But releasing domestic companion animals to live and die in the wild is neither ethical nor compassionate. Euthanasia, as a last resort, is a more humane outcome for these cats.

These colonies pose a public health risk. The National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians has stated that there is no evidence that colony management programs will reduce diseases.

How disgraceful to allow this in a town that is an integral part of the Atlantic Flyway for federally protected migratory birds.

Linda Cherkassky
Voorhees, NJ

Comments

[Rachel & Jim Harwell]

Rachel says I forwarded the article from the FeedBlitz (American Wildlife Blog) to a few of the local Humane Society and Spay and Neuter members. Little did I know what an emotional response it would stir in this woman that it got forwarded on to:

Dont' believe everything you read. One has to ask one's self whose interests are being served here. Knowing that the choice seems to be between feral cats (who no one owns and therefore presumably cares about) or a Beach Management Program, it's obvious which one will be selected. If cats are killing bird and wild life, I'd like to see the studies that have reached that conclusion

The message Dr. Harwell sent says that "Reduced rates of euthanasia at shelters do not mean that the actual number of feral cats is decreasing." Maybe the feral numbers aren't decreasing.Who would know? But the intakes at the shelter certainly are. How do you count ferals if not through the numbers turned in at the shelter? If the shelter numbers are decreasing, something MUST be working. And maybe, just maybe it's the TNR program. The goal of the shelter is, after all, to KILL as few as possible.

"Many adult feral cats can be socialized and adopted. But releasing domestic companion animals to live and die in the wild is neither ethical nor compassionate. Euthanasia, as a last resort, is a more humane outcome for these cats."

I disagree. Adult ferals can be socialized and adopted, but only with great effort and tremendous patience. Most adopters would be unwilling and unable to socialize an adult feral. I'd love to see them try. Yes, releasing domesticated companion animals to live and die in the wild is cruel and inhumane, but ferals ARE NOT domesticated.

Feral cats ARE wild life. They are direct descendants of North African wildcats. They do just fine living wild. Most feral cats brought in to the Snip & Tip are in pretty good shape. Don't believe me? Ask the vets who spay & neuter them. No one would suggest trapping and killing all skunks,
possums or other varmints, would one? The ferals live just like the other varmints. They face the same dangers, predators, and food shortages that other species do. They are like coyotes and racoons though in that they have learned that where humans can be found, there also will be a likely source of food. So that's why feral colonies end up around fast food places. It's where the breakfast bar is.

"These colonies pose a public health risk. The National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians has stated that there is no evidence that colony management programs will reduce diseases."

Yes, there are communicable feline diseases that can decimate a cat colony. If a cat with feline leukemia is found during a Snip & Tip event, it is put down rather than returned to the colony. Any others that are trully sick or in bad shape, face the same fate. While that's only a band aid solution, but it hasn't been proved that killing all ferals is any better. Does the National Ass. of State Public Health Veterinarians have a study that proves that killing ferals reduces disease? If not, than I say S/N rather than kill.

I forwarded the article from the FeedBlitz to a few of the local Humane Society and Spay and Neuter members. Little did I know what an emotional response it would stir in this woman that it got forwarded on to.
In fact, I have seen studies of locations where the ferals in a colony have been trapped and killed only to be rapidly replaced by others. Their death leaves a void that another feral will quickly take advantage of.

So what? Keep killing and keep our fingers crossed?

Anyone who would like to view the video mentioned in the following Ally Cat Allies article, should call me and I will be delighted to lend it to you. Anyone further interested in investigating thisissue should do a little more on-line research.

[Linda]

The impact of cat predation on wildlife has been well-documented and researched. There are several papers that have appeared in peer-reviewed journals. Find the citations on the References page of www.TNRrealitycheck.com or on the website of the American Bird Conservancy at www.abcbirds.org/cats.

Define working. If the goal is to reduce the number of feral cats through natural attrition then TNR is not working. The reason the rates of euthanasia are reduced for cats at some shelters is because the cats are not brought in and euthanized – they are brought into spay-neuter clinics that the shelter may operate and then released or funneled through rescue groups that do TNR or don’t even arrive at the shelter because calls are getting redirected to rescue groups that do TNR. The same number of cats is around – they are just not getting euthanized at the shelters.

Colonies consist of true ferals, semi-ferals, skittish cats, strays, and pets permitted to roam. They are ALL domestic animals. Those that are not socialized or domesticated are still the same species of comapanion animal as those we have in our homes. Felis catus is a domesticated species – a separate species from the wild ancestor Felis s. lybica. Felis catus is not a wild animal and is dependent upon humans to survive. Wild animals are not. Thousands of years of domestication do not disappear because a cat is feral.

Skunks and other true wild animals and their numbers are managed, often through lethal means. Cats do not live outside just like these other animals. If they did, we would not be feeding them in order for them to survive.

We are responsible for these cats and we are their decision-makers. Whether we choose to make responsible decisions for domestic companion animals or not is another story.

Many folks practicing TNR release cats infected that have fatal feline diseases and others do not even test. If you entirely remove a colony cats there is no disease. Having a colony of cats has at least some risk and what is problematic is the fact that many of the TNR folks and organizations are saying (having no scientific proof) that these colonies are creating a buffer for disease transmission. But, any time there is a dense concentration of animals in an area there is an increased risk for the spread of disease. That is a public health concern. If colonies are to be managed, then the burden of proof that something positive for public health is happening as a result of TNR should be on the folks who promote this method.

If the cats are removed as well as the food source, Trap and Remove works.

[Joe O'Hara]

I've known all too many "unwanted" humans who grew up with "mothers" who were too busy partying and feeding their drug habits to raise their children properly. Result: feral humans. Do we kill them? Generally not, despite their massive contributions to violent crime in America and their own out-of-control breeding. I fail to see how anyone who claims to value life can spare a feral human and yet want to snuff an innocent animal who cares only about being allowed to life out his/her life in peace. Those who are so concerned about feral cats killing other creatures should pay more attention to homo sapiens.

[Jack Lewnes]

I find my respected friend, Dr. Jim Harwell's comments somewhat puzzling

The damage that feral cats do is extensively documented. The documentation is, quite frankly, overwhelming. Study after study shows that feral cats are responsible for millions of song bird deaths each year.

[Robert Kuret]

I have seen first hand the devastating impact feral cats have on the song bird population, just in my backyard. Pet ownwers need to be educated about these serious impcts to the wildlife poulation. In some cases cats have to be captured and taken to the local animal shelter and unfortunately some of them get euthanized. Ther has to me some kind of control measure.

[Jack Lewnes]

I become more confused with the comments of my dear friends, Jim and Rachael Harwell.

Feral Cats are NOT native wildlife, nor are they decendents of any native cats. This is known, accepted and recognized scientific fact. I say this without fear of contradiction. This fact is taught in second grade animal science class.

Jim, to say that no one cares about feral cats is wrong. You must mean no one cares about SAVING feral cats. Many people, especially those who value song bird life and survival, care enough to do every thing they can to eradicate feral cats. Without the slightest moment of hesitation, I stand with those that favor total and complete elimination of every single feral cat...by whatever means possible. I will go so far as to say that anyone who cherishes their habitat and the birds in it..who sees a feral cat and has the means to kill it and does not..does a grave disservice to their habitat...and the birds that are trying to live there-in. Amen.

[Linda]

Feral humans? We, as humans, have the capability to rationalize. We have the ability to choose. Cats are advanced to some degree, but WE are the decision makers for these animals. We domesticated them - they are human artifacts. We have dominion over them and have assumed responsibility for them. That is the difference and why this analogy to "feral humans" does not work. Whether we make responsible decisions for the cats or not is another story.

[Matthew T Sneddon]

We must make cat owners more responsible for their pets. As the owner of a German Shepherd I'm sure I would be charged with some crime or other if I put it out at night in spite of my dog probably sitting and crying on the doorstep all night.Yet irresponsible cat owners nightly allow their cats out to roam and hunt at will. It has been stated that animal/wild life lovers do not keep cats. Their cruelty is easily seen ie playing with a terrified mouse before killing it.

[Rick Boschen]

I for one will eliminate every feral cat I come across from my property, I don't need to review any of the extensive studies on the impact free-roaming pet and feral cats have on native wildlife, I have personally witnessed the "gifts" little Fluffy has brought home for their owners many times - native small mammals, song birds and reptiles/amphibians. TNR programs are useless in protecting native wildlife which I make no apologies should take priority over this invasise species. In fact I believe there should be a state sponsored bounty on these animals, this would have quick and significant impact on this problem.