There is a lot of talk going on about what to do with the issue of feral cat population.
Some measures have been proposed which will allow residents to kill what they perceive to be feral cats on their property. This suggestion has caused a bit of a stir, and amongst cat lovers, it is quite understandable. Cats are natural wanderers and a treasured feline may make a mischievous dash out of its home only to find itself hunted quarry in a neighboring property.
There are more humane solutions being practiced right now which entail trapping feral cats, neutering and then releasing them back to their environment (TNR). Critics of this method maintain that the problem of cat predation on local small animal populations still exists after neutering, and that a continuous supply of stray cats are finding their fertile way into these feral communities every day. Thus, any positive gains realized by the TNR program are being constantly negated by the actions, or inactions, of irresponsible pet owners.
There doesn't appear to be any immediate, cut and dry solution to feral cats except to keep employing the TNR program and educating the public about how to be accountable for their cats. Local laws can be enacted to impose fines on owners whose cats are caught wandering on a frequent basis. Social pressure can be fostered in the form of campaigns that suggest it is absolutely not cool and downright irresponsible to have unneutered or unspayed cats wandering around. This, of course, would not be applied to owners of show and working cats where planned breeding is necessary for their specific breed.
It comes down to the fact that over 64% of U.S. households have pets, and the majority of these pets are considered as family members. Cats are the rebellious, independent members of the family unit. They shouldn't be left to their own devices nor should they be discarded like disposable lighters. Similar to any wayward teenager of a family, special measures and tolerances have to be adopted in order to get the loved ones through a difficult time in their lives and bring them back into the fold of family unity. Cats are a bit different in that they are "wayward children" for life, however, they can be conditioned to accept a house-bound lifestyle. Having them spayed or neutered (we're talking about cats now - not teenagers) will help temper their wanderlust a little, and there are some great outdoor "playpens" and containment equipment designed just for the benefit of felines. Some cats can be trained to walk on a leash for nightly jaunts, however, that may not be particularly healthy for you or the cat if there are too many unleashed dogs in the neighborhood.
Do what you can to help alleviate the problem of cats turning feral. The animal welfare organizations and volunteers are doing what they can to deal with the current populations by using TNR, rescuing and adopting of cats. But the flow of new, fertile, domestic cats into the feral communities must be stopped at the family, neighborhood and regional level. This is accomplished through public awareness campaigns, teaching school children about responsible pet ownership, social pressure and individual involvement. It's a long uphill road, yet it can be accomplished, one or two kitties at a time.
Cris Mandelin-Wood owns several websites covering domestic animals as well as Web information services and products. Animal welfare issues are of special interest. To sign up for the monthly Critterbytes Ezine, go to http://shelters.theanimalnet.com and select the state you live in. Once there you will find a listing of local animal welfare organizations and a sign up box for the ezine.
disinfecting cleaning services Winnetka ..We've all heard the phrase, "Free as a bird." In... Read More
I'd like to talk to you about pet vaccinations. I... Read More
For the first 8,000 years of their relationship with humans,... Read More
Witnessing your precious dog or cat having a seizure can... Read More
Dogs need mental and physical stimulation. They're also very inquisitive... Read More
Dogs mature and age at much different rates, usually according... Read More
1.) Versatility- A good dog trainer will use techniques and... Read More
Everybody loves puppies. Who can resist those cute little faces... Read More
In a recent discussion about pet safety, the services provided... Read More
If you are seriously considering keeping fish as pets or... Read More
Internet Fraud, Classifieds Scams, Abuse and Suspicious Replies are world... Read More
I've been around many people who try to lead a... Read More
Grooming means taking care of the physical maintenance of the... Read More
While excitement and anticipation will be at the top of... Read More
How do you build a goldfish pond outdoors?The tools you... Read More
Natural preventative pet care isn't a new thing but it... Read More
1. Accidents and medical emergencies in the home happen frequently.... Read More
Our pets give us so much. They entertain us, listen... Read More
Losing a family pet can be a traumatic experience, especially... Read More
Do I Need A Quarantine Tank?Ah, yes, the often dismissed... Read More
Nobody likes ticks.In fact, when it comes to ticks I... Read More
Over the last 20 years, vaccinations have generally been started... Read More
Perhaps the best way to train your westie pups not... Read More
When looking to purchase a purebred dog, you need to... Read More
The American Kennel Club recognizes 150 different dog breeds. There... Read More
last minute cleaning help Highland Park ..Vitamins for Pets - How Essential Are They?A vitamin supplement... Read More
Animal welfare organizations and humane societies have been very successful... Read More
Which is the noisiest species of all? Nope, not the... Read More
What is Separation Anxiety?When you leave the house, it is... Read More
The 4th Of 6 Keys To Building A Life Long... Read More
Mistake #7 ? Assuming You Can Get On Any Horse... Read More
For a cat, scratching is a natural, necessary act. Besides... Read More
Canine Parvovirus, is a viral disease that attacks dogs and... Read More
Let's face it ? everything is cute when it's small... Read More
Which parrot is right for me? This is a question... Read More
Cats are becoming increasingly popular as pets these days, and... Read More
Have you ever wondered what a dog thinks, or if... Read More
As a parent, you want to be able to give... Read More
Looking for some quick Rottweiler dog facts? Here's a quick... Read More
You may be hearing more talk these days about "Essential... Read More
Purebred dogs of all breeds can be found in shelters,... Read More
Making our lives better includes protecting our families, and also... Read More
Keeping your dog safe is similar to keeping a child... Read More
Grooming means taking care of the physical maintenance of the... Read More
So you're getting a Rottweiler puppy? Here are some general... Read More
Almost without exception, breeders will advertise that their favorite terrier,... Read More
While dogs tend to get lots of exercise, cats are... Read More
Some say it started with the Taco Bell dog. A... Read More
Meow! Meow! Meow! I bury my head underneath my pillow.... Read More
To the uninitiated horse owner, there are timely facts about... Read More
Pet |