Trap, neuter, release is not answer
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Editor,
The piece of the practice of “trap-neuter-return” for feral cats was a one-sided view of a very difficult problem.
There are no credible studies that show that TNR reduces the number of feral cats. In fact, some evidence suggests that colony size increases as dumping cats becomes “normalized” by this practice.
Cats need more than just neutering, one round of shots and food. They need shelter, a home, and ongoing vet care. Cats in these colonies are often dirty, frostbitten, suffering from wounds, mites, infections, feline AIDS and feline leukemia.
Cat colonies don’t exist in wealthy neighborhoods — it’s only poor people who are forced to live near these unsanitary practice areas. Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite in outdoor cat feces can affect other animals and humans in a dangerous way.
In addition, scientists have found recently that outdoor cats kill not millions, but billions of wild birds every year. This is a huge ecological problem, upsetting the balance of nature. As a Pennsylvania state licensed wildlife rehabilitator, I treat more than a thousand birds and mammals every year who have been tortured by outdoor cats.
For people who practice TNR, only one thing matters — that cats are not euthanized. Cat suffering in the extreme cold, wildlife suffering and dying, property rights are pushed aside so that cats can be trapped, neutered and re-dumped back on the streets. It’s not effective, it’s not humane, and it’s not working.
TENVAC is the solution: Trap, evaluate, neuter, vaccinate, adopt, contain. If cat enthusiasts want feral cat euthanasia to be reduced, they need to contain the cats after they neuter them. Releasing them into our neighborhoods and parks to suffer and decimate our wildlife is not the answer.
Michele Wellard
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
