It would seem to be a matter of perspective. He disagrees with the ASPCA, which endorses the Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) method as the only humane solution. He believes that cats should be registered the same way that dogs are (I am assuming “licensed”) and identified with a collar and ID. If captured, the owner can be notified to come get their cat. If there is no ID, he reasons it is a feral cat and should be euthanized.
This reminds me of a saying by Albert Einstein, “Condemnation without investigation is the highest form of ignorance.” Unfortunately, there are many holes in this theory of the “final solution” for cats. Furthermore, the mass euthanasia of cats puts an unfair physical, financial, and emotional burden on the shelters and staff who would have to deal with this.
In Europe, scene of the historical bubonic plague, cats are protected by law in many places, including Rome and the Vatican City. The Catholic Church finally changed its stance on cats when it realized that cats didn’t cause the plague; populations of flea-infested rodents did. When cats kept the rodent population in check, this reduced the threat to humans. FLEAS carry the plague; ANYTHING that can become a host for fleas acts as a vector to expose humans—again, rodents.
There are numerous reasons that human beings get sick. Remember the Hanta virus? This virus is spread to people by—again—rodents through saliva, droppings and urine. As of July 3, 2012, there have been 15 cases of Hantavirus in Oregon, per the CDC.
Talk to the veterinarians, trappers, shelter staff, and volunteers who deal with feral cats. Do we have any documented cases of the plague with this group? Between them, they have dealt with thousands of feral cats in the TNR program. More then one of them have been bitten, more than once. Why the fear mongering?
Regarding the registering (licensing?) of cats, one need only look at the noncompliance of many dog owners with the licensing mandate. And, as any cat owner knows, cats can easily slip their ID collars. Yet, a cat coming in without a collar would be a feral, according to Mr. Anderson’s reasoning.
The vast majority of so-called feral cats are “throwaways”—dumped, abandoned pets. True feral cats were born and raised in the wild; abandoned cats will often join or coexist with the feral.
Well intentioned adoption of kittens or intact adult cats without follow up spay or neuter is one of the main reasons for the existence of wild and feral cats, as is pet abandonment. Folks who do this suggest that cats can catch mice, etc, and survive (unlike the family dog).
Unfortunately, we have met the enemy, and it is US.
A comprehensive program of community education, truly responsible pet ownership, safety nets such as pet food banks; and ultimately high quality, high volume spay and neuter programs to reduce pet homelessness is the only reasonable answer.
As Gandhi said, “the greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” It is time for common sense, and community wide responsibility.
This article appears in Aug 2-8, 2012.
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It is a lamentable situation indeed – (I ask as somewhat of a newcomer to the area) Is it unfeasable to try to instill some sort of feral cat/spay/neuter/release program in this area?
Thank you,thank you!Your wonderful!Nice to hear from someone capable of using logic and common sense.
Why are so many people like Mr. Anderson so quick to condem a species to death. With his logic we might as well exterminate all birds as they might transfer bird flu to humans at some point in the future and they leave those turd bombs all over peoples cars. There is an excellent Youtube video of Phillip Wollen a former Citibank Vice President and now head if the Kindness Trust talking about this discrimnation of certain species http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNED7GJLY7I
As a lifelong animal advocate, I agree. Further, the ONLY long-term answer is spay/neuter done in a big way, regardless of the status of the cat (owned, abandoned, feral), and regardless of the financial status of the owners/caregivers. The local shelters do NOTHING towards pet spay/neuter services for the public but spend a LOT of time & money telling people how great they are. They are on TV/radio every week but never ONCE mention the importance of spay/neuter. Without the work of struggling, grassroots groups like Bend Spay/Neuter and CRAFT, there would be thousands more animals fighting to survive on the streets, but the shelters have the real funding & media support to do what is needed. It is time for this supposedly pet-loving area to support spay/neuter in a big way to stop the tragedy of shelters turning away, or warehousing & killing hundreds of potential pets behind closed doors. This program has been done successfully in many places. It costs more up front but results in a no-kill community that can be proud of itself & will save money in the long run. Contact shelters and the city/county governments that support them with your tax money, and insist on positive change. It is the least we can do for these unfortunate animals that are the victims of ignorant or uncaring humans.