Feel kinda crappy.....had to shoot a cat

[amazondoc]

Quote:
I suspect that you may not fully understand the population dynamics involved here.

If you spay/neuter/vacc/release, you create a more stable population than if you kill. Killing creates gaps in the population, which can be quickly filled by either migrating cats or an increased birth rate. That creates an unstable population -- which, in turn, can increase the spread of disease. If you create a more stable population instead, disease spread goes down -- and, if you spay/neuter long enough, overall population numbers gradually go down as well.

Also -- cats ARE hunters. Fortunately, this also means that they can work FOR us. Poultry keepers are always complaining about rodent problems. Well, guess what a hungry cat is good at?

And incidentally -- this forum insists on respect -- and that needs to mean respect on BOTH sides of a discussion. Comparing spay/neuter/release programs to a "crazy cat lady" doesn't exactly foster that nice atmosphere of respect that we all need here.

 

[nzpouter]

population dynamics... must be under the illussion that nobody dumping new cats after the old ones are neutered...

Seriously offer the free neutering or speying to pet cats that still owned by people..... let us deal with those already released...

 

[amazondoc]

Quote:
Hey there NZ --

I agree with you, spaying/neutering pet cats would be a great help -- and all the rescues I know of strongly encourage it. Just keep an open mind to alternative solutions to your problems, as well.

 

[nzpouter]

Quote:
Hey there NZ --

I agree with you, spaying/neutering pet cats would be a great help -- and all the rescues I know of strongly encourage it. Just keep an open mind to alternative solutions to your problems, as well.

That is correct, but over where I am there are 2 groups that went on different approach.

1. trap, fix, release (which I really against because it doesn't actually decrease the feral population, it only serve as a feel good band aid for the rescuer).

2. organise a free neuter/ spey day (this was done with a few vet volunteering their time for a day) which I reckon is a far better option.

 

[bluey]

I suspect that you may not fully understand the population dynamics involved here.

If you spay/neuter/vacc/release, you create a more stable population than if you kill. Killing creates gaps in the population, which can be quickly filled by either migrating cats or an increased birth rate. That creates an unstable population -- which, in turn, can increase the spread of disease. If you create a more stable population instead, disease spread goes down -- and, if you spay/neuter long enough, overall population numbers gradually go down as well.

Amazon...we're talking about a domestic species introduced in the wild, not a "native" wild population. There will never be population gaps for feral cats because they shouldn't be in the woods to begin with. They compete successfully for food with many native species, including unfortunately, birds of prey.

As for their hunting prowess for keeping mice/rats at bay in barns, I whole-heartedly agree with you. But a person shouldn't rely on feral cats to do this job, they should choose to keep their own tamed animals (preferably spayed/neutered/vaccinated) to do this. Unfortunately, our animal shelters see this as abusive to a domestic cat. I'd like them to come visit to see my "abused" cats. I'd put their health and happiness on par or above any indoor cat.

I think trapping and releasing feral cats is wrong, period.​

 

[speckledhen]

Sorry, I am not spending a dime to neuter some cat that is not mine. I'm trying to feed myself and keep my head above water. I'm not buying traps, risking being bitten, using gas money to take it anywhere, even if someone is offering free neutering. My porch roof is falling in and my DH's truck needs an exhaust system and I can barely afford to get my own dog's rabies shot every year. Cats attacking the birds will be disposed of, if possible. If they leave the birds alone, they are welcome to be roving mousers around here. If I end up with cats having kittens on my place, I'll have to decide what to do about them. Practicality is the name of the game here.

 

[gypsy2621]

Quote:
Speckled Hen ,
I totally agree with you here. why is it the dumpee's responsibility to spay neuter a dumped cat?
When did it become the recievers problem to have to tend to an animal they didnt seek out to own.

I used to take every cat dumped into my yard to the ves for spaying/nuter, it got to the point that my vet offered a family plan for every 10 altered I would get one free alter.
It wasnt untill I ran into a different vet with a hugely pregnant cat with complications that I stopped doing this.
That one stray ended up costing me nearly $1,000.00.
vet viisit, C section, spay, over night stay, kittens in ICU. kicker was paying for the c-section and spay counted as 2 different operations even though they were already in the correct place,
I ended up rehoming cat and kittens for FREE !
never again . dump offs are now disposed of.

 

[amazondoc]

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These two approaches are not mutually exclusive -- in fact, they are complementary to each other.

 

[amazondoc]

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That's not how it works. "Nativeness" or lack thereof does not alter the fact that they ARE here. And non-native species are just as affected by population dynamics as native ones.

You and I both agree that there should NOT be a feral cat population. But there IS one, whether we want it or not. So it behooves us to figure out the best way to manage it -- best in terms of such considerations as expense, disease control, predator control, ethics, and so on.

Reasonable people can reasonably disagree about which option is the best overall. But there IS more than one option.

 

[amazondoc]

Quote:
I don't think it IS your "responsibility", any more than it's a boy scout's "responsibility" to help an old lady across a street. Humans are capable of doing many good things even when it isn't our "responsibility" to do so.