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.
kitchen deep cleaning Deerfield ..You can't imagine the kind of varieties of Goldfish there... Read More
Out of all the pet animals, the cat is most... Read More
Has your pet recently been coughing, eating less, or being... Read More
Just because we moved out to the country a couple... Read More
An essential to your dog's health is his/her regular annual... Read More
Good filtration is the prime priority in the discus tank.... Read More
Congratulations on your choice to bring home a West Highland... Read More
Top five dog breeds for homes with children* Beagle *... Read More
The proper selection of a training collar can have a... Read More
Yesterday we talked a little about the 6 Keys for... Read More
While your friends and family are amazed that you're raising... Read More
So you're thinking about trying cichlids. A good choice. In... Read More
The 6 Keys To Building A Life Long Partnership With... Read More
If your feline friend could speak your language, here a... Read More
Potty Training Your Puppy:Make sure you feed your dog at... Read More
What is Canine Infectious Hepatitis?The word hepatitis refers to an... Read More
Boxer dogs are an all around great breed, especially skilled... Read More
There is nothing more adorable than a new puppy. Large... Read More
Are you thinking about dog obedience school? Do you know... Read More
Anyone wanting a new kitten should be a cat lover.... Read More
One of the reasons I strongly encourage horse owners to... Read More
As many of you know America is serious about our... Read More
Is your cat talking to you?Many cat lovers claim that... Read More
"You've created your own monster, you know", my mother said... Read More
Let me begin by saying that I am not an... Read More
interior house cleaning Highland Park ..You might think the most important bit of dog health... Read More
When Lucky was starting to show signs of aging, we... Read More
These days, it's hard to know what decisions are the... Read More
Wondering how to begin crate training your puppy or dog,... Read More
We've recently moved into a new apartment complex that really... Read More
This has been one of the most rewarding adventures I... Read More
Everybody loves a baby animal and Westie puppies are adorable,... Read More
Would you like to save money and have a healthier... Read More
There is nothing more adorable than a new puppy. Large... Read More
A major part of a horse's diet is hay or... Read More
Eclampsia, or milk fever, is an acute, life-threatening condition which... Read More
"Mom, can we get a puppy?" Who hasn't heard that... Read More
If you are beginning to feel like an endangered species... Read More
Your poor pooch is scratching himself all over. Plus, you... Read More
I get a lot of horse training questions about stopping... Read More
Uh-oh, it's that time again. The dreaded vet visit, and... Read More
Are there so many great dog breeds out there that... Read More
Has your pet recently been coughing, eating less, or being... Read More
Ok, so everyone who stays on top of the show... Read More
Just like children, westie puppies learn through play. Playing games... Read More
A respiratory tract ailment can be fatal to your parrot... Read More
I would like to address some of the statements I... Read More
Boarding, Breeding, Training & Showing Stables:1. You need to fill... Read More
Dog fashions are all the rage and have become quite... Read More
If you are seriously considering keeping fish as pets or... Read More
Pet |