- MENU
- HOME
- SEARCH
- WORLD
- MAIN
- AFRICA
- ASIA
- BALKANS
- EUROPE
- LATIN AMERICA
- MIDDLE EAST
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Benelux
- Brazil
- Canada
- China
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- India
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Korea
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- Poland
- Russia
- South Africa
- Spain
- Taiwan
- Turkey
- USA
- BUSINESS
- WEALTH
- STOCKS
- TECH
- HEALTH
- LIFESTYLE
- ENTERTAINMENT
- SPORTS
- RSS
- iHaveNet.com: Pets
by Steve Dale
Domestic cats have been living with people for around for about 10,000 years, according to recently uncovered archeological evidence. Sometimes the cats provide great benefit. Credit cats for killing rats who spread the Great Plague. Today, we know living with housecats is beneficial for our health.
However, for as long as the species we call the domestic cat (Felis catus) has existed, there have been feral cats living in colonies in piazzas (town squares) in Italy, down London alleys and in fields and cities around the world. Likely at least two cats accompanied Columbus to America. Scientists estimate there may be as many or even more unowned cats in America than the 82 million owned cats.
At first, the only means for eliminating these unwanted cats were attempts to poison them. Of course, today that method is considered inhumane, and it's against the law. But attempts to poison never worked to control their numbers anyway. Cats are pretty smart, and hard to fool (try sneaking a pill into your cat's food),
The preferred approach in many places has become animal control: Culling a colony by humanely trapping, and then bringing cats into the shelter for humane euthanization or adoption.
It turns out people mostly don't want even nuisance cats trapped and killed. At one time, adoption seemed an option for ferals, but it turns out to be a bad idea. Housing the generally unadoptable feral cats meant valuable cage space was being taken up while adoptable cats were being turned away or euthanized. Also, most feral cats become exceedingly stressed in shelters; some don't even survive the experience.
"These cats have never been socialized to people, and they're extremely fearful," says Becky Robinson, who had a better idea for feral cats around 20 years ago. She noticed how some European nations were dealing with their feral cat problems and imported the idea, called trap, neuter, return (TNR) to one Washington, D.C., alley.
Robinson began to TNR a colony, which flourished in an alley not all that far from the
"There was a huge need for a humane way to deal with feral cats; as soon as people heard we were using TNR successfully, they called wanting to know more," says Robinson, the founder and president of Alley Cat Allies, based in Bethesda, Md. Today there are 225 organizations dedicated solely to TNR, not to mention the many shelters that offer TNR programs. Alley Cat's mission is to end the senseless cycle of trap and kill when there's a better way.
Thousands of volunteers participate in TNR, which also includes overseeing a colony. If a colony cat is deemed friendly, this is likely a lost cat since true feral cats are so very fearful. Friendly cats are scanned for a microchip, and hopefully returned home. Otherwise, the friendly cats and any young kittens are given to shelters to adopt.
There are lots of additional benefits to diminishing stray numbers. "In this country, rabies is a public health victory because we vaccinate," says Robinson. "Experts agree the more stray cats vaccinated for rabies, the better. Historically (using trap and kill) some cats in a colony would be removed, but their numbers would only increase again, and meanwhile none are vaccinated."
Other species also benefit by lowering feral cat populations. Songbird lovers have a lot to worry about these days as species are frequently being added to the endangered species list. Cats may contribute to their decline, though habitat destruction; air- and light-pollution, and climate change seem more contributable factors. "People who care about cats care about nature in general -- no one wants to see songbirds disappear," Robinson adds.
To support feral and stray cats where you live learn more, contact Alley Cat Allies, www.alleycat.org or call 240-482-1980.
AUTOS | HOBBIES | EDUCATION | FAMILY | FASHION | FOOD & RECIPES | HOME DECOR | RELATIONSHIPS | PARENTING | PETS | TRAVEL | WOMEN
PET STORIES and PET ARTICLES ...
- Is Your Dog Cut out for Field Trials?
- Should You Crate-train Your Puppy?
- How to Play Soccer With Your Dog
- The Best Way for Your Dog to Ride in the Car with You
- Good Dog Park Etiquette
- What Is Freestyle Dancing With Dogs?
- Canicross: An Easier Way to Run With Your Dog
- Reading Your Dog's Body Language
- Kitten Kindergarten
- Tips to Keep Your Dog Safe While Flying
- Keep Your Dog Warm in the Winter
- Scottish Deerhound: The Ideal Exercise Buddy
- Teach Your Dog to Fetch
- Is Your Dog Bored?
- 7 Ways to Pamper Your Cat
- The Best Games to Play With Your High-Energy Dog
- Dog Feeding Mishaps Corrected
- How to Succeed at Off-Leash Dog Play
- ID Your Relationship With Your Cat
- Photographing Your Elusive Feline
- How to Keep Your Pet Safe During the Holidays
- When Good Dogs Turn Bad
- From Finicky Fido to Chowhound Charlie
- Insure Your Kitty's Health
- Unconditional Love: My Cat Forgives Me Every Day
- From Feline to Family Member
- Is Water From a Christmas Tree Stand Harmful to Cats?
- A Day in the Life of a Sheepherding Dog
- Go on a Desert Retreat With Your Dog
- Dog Food Goes Natural and Holistic
- Determining a Food Allergy
- Exercise Gone to the Dogs
- Find the Right Sport for Your Dog
- Make Your Dog a Part of Your Wedding
- Hydrotherapy Helps Dogs Get in Shape
- How Your Cat Says 'I Love You'
- Lost Cats Found
- De-stress Veterinary Visits for Your Cat
- Keeping Cat Food Fresh
- Second-Hand Cat, First-Rate Pet
Copyright ©
Pets | Celebrating Feral Cats