Cats on our minds

I just watched video from the July 26 council meeting where there was much talk about cats.

|There are three types of cat populations. Owned cats are family pets, some who spend time outdoors. There are free-roaming cats, usually ones abandoned by their people or the offspring of the abandoned. Many free-roaming cats fend for themselves; others have caring people providing food. The responsible feeders also embrace TNR, trapping their cats so that they can be altered and vaccinated. During our discussion, we need to be clear whether we are talking about owned cats, cats that are part of a TNR program, or free-roaming cats that receive no medical care.

One resident’s situation illustrates why it is important for us to continue an aggressive spay/neuter program for cats. She lives next door to a neighbor who is feeding cats that are not being fixed. This year there have already been three litters, with the first litter already reproducing. A population that quickly will be out of control.

When caregivers participate in TNR, the results are cats that are vaccinated and cannot reproduce. Kittens are socialized so they can be adopted. Nuisance behavior is reduced dramatically. It is not an overnight solution, but it is the best option that I am aware of.

At council, there were complaints and concerns about public health. We actually want free-roaming cats to help control rodent population and the resulting risk of disease. We all agree the outside cat population should be controlled. But how? Decades of trapping and killing has proven ineffective. So what is your solution?

Cruel neglect

People do not have a clue as to the inhumane treatment of animals. Animals are part of our divine creation and God instructed people to care for them. We have lived near Lake Heath for 44 years. When we moved to Windsor Park, we had no animals.

Through the years, we and some of our neighbors have owned cats. The sad news is what we have learned about the treatment of cats in the area. Some neighbors do not have them neutered or spayed, and starving cats are running around the neighborhood looking for food. Even worse, people drop cats off at the lake and at nearby houses. These persons should be fined, so Animal Control can afford to try and get the cats. The city should be thankful that some people are caring enough to help the poor starving creatures.

We have experienced neighbors moving away and leaving their cats behind. I think my couple of cats say, "Come over here, we will feed you." We have spent a fortune having stray cats neutered and spayed, to at least cut down on the multiplication and starvation. Sometimes you may find someone to take them.

The same happens to dogs. If anything, the city should give people who try to help the animals a tax break. If all would help the city rid the neighborhoods of strays, and/or, if they would at least feed their own animals, life would be easier for all.

You can help

Re: “… Sears Woods feral cat,” Ledger-Enquirer, August 5. You can’t help but feel bad for the residents of Sears Woods who have lost the enjoyment of their gardens due to the proliferation of feral cats.

The residents of Sears Woods assumed the Best Friends Community Cat Project was to blame for their dilemma. As it turns out, the project does not have a managed colony in this neighborhood.

No, in fact, Sears Woods is a case study in what doesn’t work. About a year ago residents contacted Animal Care and Control to complain about a cat colony in the neighborhood. Animal control officers picked up the cats who were then adopted, placed in a managed colony, or euthanized depending on their temperament, health, and the options available at the time.

Now the problem has returned and this is no surprise to those who work with community cats. The “vacuum effect” is a phenomenon affecting all wild animal species. Any given geographic area has a caring capacity based on available supplies of food, water and shelter. When animals are removed, new animals will move in and females will produce litters with higher survival rates to fill the void.

Trap-neuter-release, or TNR, is the methodology practiced by the Community Cat Project. It includes vaccination for rabies. It is humane and effective. Existing cats eventually die off and are not replaced. It requires patience but it works. Residents who wish to keep the cats out of the yard are provided with information and the tools to repel them.

Help us save the Best Friends Community Cat Project. You can show your support by attending the City Council work session scheduled for August 30 at 9:30 am.

This story was originally published August 11, 2016 at 3:11 PM with the headline "Cats on our minds."