Emotion Packed Letters to the Editor - no facts

Re: Feral Cat Problem – Kristi Mallinson Vogel’s letter, (The Tribune, Feb. 25)

Thanks to Ms. Vogel and others for their sentiments on free-ranging stray/feral cats in Port Colborne. Most comments were emotion based, rather than factual.

I’ve contributed nearly 30 years of my life to hands-on, animal welfare work. A large part of it willingly, and voluntarily helping stray/feral cats, housing over 30 such cats (at one point) paying for spay/neuter and providing medical care for them. Some are still here - an integral part of our family.



I agree that education is primary but this proposal doesn’t have that component. To tackle the problem at its source, rather than its sorrowful ending, spaying/neutering and licensing (identification) of cats (and dogs) must be made mandatory by by-law. If this TNR proposal is allowed to go ahead, Port Colborne will be in violation of their own cat by-law (No. 4949/5/07 - 22 January 2007), “No person who owns or possesses a cat shall allow or permit his or her cat to be at large."

The city can be a leader if it were to facilitate a concept called Animal ‘Care’ and Control, rather than bare bones Animal Control - which is no more than a never-ending, round ‘em up system. This proposed TNR program only guarantees these cats won't reproduce. It won't stop the ongoing dumping of more cats – that takes far more than what is being proposed here.

The current concept does nothing more than return the animals to possible death from fights, contagious diseases like FeLV, FIP, FIV, and FP – in short, a horrible life spent as free-roaming strays/ferals. Some of the cats may be disease carriers and won’t die immediately, but they do put other cats and wild animals at risk of exposure. Average life expectancy of an indoor cat? 12-15 years. Strays/Ferals - if lucky, 3-5 years. Your proposal is missing a key element and that involves keeping the cats in an enclosure, more commonly known as TNRE (Trap/Neuter/Release/Enclose). A TNRE program could be a benefit only if those key elements to prevent the problem are established first.

Cats who are healthy enough must be released into a secure enclosure that protects them from predators, prevents other cats from entering the colony, keeps them from becoming road kill, and prevents the killing of native wildlife. Large enough for all colony cats, it should contain a permanent form of shelter for them - not Styrofoam boxes parked on the landscape. Caretakers could ensure the cats remain healthy, and spend time to earn their trust to re-home some of them. There is no current plan in writing, in the form of a bylaw (these do exist) to demonstrably measure the success of the proposal and guarantee proper care.

UK studies show that 9 million pet cats were responsible for killing nearly 150 million wild animals in a one-year period. If 50 trapped/neutered and released cats continue roaming they will be responsible for the death of approximately 800 wild animals and birds. If the cats contribute to the needless destruction of even one of Ontario’s species at risk, does that not matter? Who will take responsibility for saving those fragile wild lives?

The Society for Conservation Biology is about to publish a paper in its Journal titled ‘Critical Assessment of Claims Regarding Management of Feral Cats by Trap-Neuter-Return’ (Longcore, Rich, Sullivan 2000) which scientifically contradicts all claims made in favour of managed feral cat colonies. Domestic cats are on the list of the 100 most invasive species globally (Lowe et. al 2000). Before these cats are allowed to continue to live there (TNR or otherwise) I’d suggest Port Colborne conduct an environmental study to gauge the impact on species conservation, and human health.

Alternatively, building an enclosure to safely house the cats would cost far less and would more than humanely solve the problem of any additional expense. The cats would be safe and so too would our native wildlife. Most letter writers advocate the humane treatment of animals, and purport no-kill philosophies. Sadly, those values appear to exclude native wildlife.

Note: If anyone would like to obtain a copy of the published study that debunks the myths about feral cat colonies, you can view an abstract and order a copy of the Conservation Biology Journal here: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122216162/abstract