Roaming cats

[cavemanrich]

@belindaschicks
Not sure is you missed reading post 11. BTW. that is not my video, but a you-tube clip that describes the Trap-Neuter-Release program. It explains how it works. A picture says 1000 words. A video says 10X that. Yes, when I see a feral and it makes my grounds home, I trap and do the deeds. When I bring them home the next day, trust me they are not But I take care of them and in no time they are back to normal.
@Chickassan
I'm sure you know the Disclosure, Cia, and Black Helicopters, were put there to make this thread interesting to read. I don't feed a colony of sickly cats. All resident ferals are well fed and healthy. (maybe lazy as well) 24 pounds in 2 weeks does not stretch to feed that many animals. There are some cats that come to dinner and they are fine cat specimens, well groomed. They belong to homes probably not very far away. (I don't know where they live) They meow for dinner as well. They arrive occasionally. I'm not going to chase those away ether. I also do not try to trap and fix somebody's' known cat. Not all cats are together at same time, so nothing overwhelms me. In all my years of chicken keeping, I only had to chase one cat away from my chickens. I suspect, that cat was a house cat runaway or something. Never seen chickens in his life. The chickens looked interesting to him.

 

[belindaschicks]

To those of you who think keeping outdoor cats is fine. I worked at an animal shelter as a veterinary technician. Cats who are allowed to be outdoor felines almost always test positive for parasites. Not to mention ear mites, and fleas and other health issues. Most of those problems are not seen to the naked eye. These cats use anything as litter boxes while outside exposing young children, pregnant and elderly to illness. Would this be the same debate if I allowed 3 large pit bulls or terriers to come and go as they pleased because they liked the freedom.

 

[Chickassan]

Well heck caveman I didn't figure you did feed a colony of sickly cats going through all that chow lol! That lady I mentioned those cats are in pretty good shape too, all the same flipping color but look pretty good. I was just curious if there was anything to that crazy cat lady/man thing. Like if you get more than a handful of cats do you just automatically become one. Not that I think you're a crazy cat man .

 

[cavemanrich]

The TNR program is a GREAT SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM. Prior to it, the city/county authorities would just catch animals and euthanize them in mass. That left much fresh territory for new cats to populate and propagate in. One endless cycle. When area is populated by sterile cats, other cats are not able to take over territory. Those sterile cats are able to control the area, by consuming the available resources, thereby not allowing fertile cats to propagate. If subject interests you I suggest reading up on it further. Many cities are doing it.
Just for the record. I feed the cats during day when I am there. I do not leave food out overnight. I would attract everything alive.

Now to make a comparison debate on pit bulls running loose VS cats loose. That equals to a comparison of apples and raisins. (not oranges). When a nice size loose running pit bull approaches me and wants a bone.......... it is the bone in my leg that he is after. Their jaw strength is tremendous. I have not seen cat attacks that happened unprovoked.
As to parasites............ many people especially in underdeveloped areas have them as well. I believe good nutrition leads to better health, and in turn better parasite control.
I cant save the world. I do not have all the answers. I just do what I think is morally right.

 

[AlleysChicks]

I wish we had TNR programs here. It'd make life a lot easier. As is, it's $80+ for a cat spay and I can't swing that for every cat that shows up here. Especially since they won't go in traps lol