  |
||
      |
"Fixing" the Stray Cat Problem
The problem is, when left unmanaged, stray cat colonies reproduce prolifically, cause a noxious odor by the spraying of unneutered male cats, can be loud if fighting or mating is happening, dig up gardens, and generally can be a nuisance. Often people are not ill-disposed or unkind to the cats, but don't want to deal with all their baggage. The first solution that usually comes to mind is to simply remove them - take them away and problems be gone, is the thinking. Trouble is, simple though that may sound, removing stray cats from an area doesn't work. New cats inevitably move into the newly vacated territory and replace the old ones, keeping the cycle of reproduction and nuisance behavior alive. The faces may change, but the numbers don't. This is why more and more animal control agencies shy away from trap and remove programs when it comes to cats - they realize it's a waste of time and resources. Trying to deprive the cats of food in the hope they'll go away also is futile - they won't leave, but by becoming sickly, will cause other problems, like flea infestations. But there is a real solution, known as Trap-Neuter-Return, or TNR. Using this method, the cats in a colony are trapped, neutered, marked for identification, vaccinated for rabies and then returned to their territory where they are provided food and shelter. The now neutered population no longer reproduces, no longer creates a foul odor, makes dramatically less noise, and generally guards the territory from a new wave of unfixed cats moving in. Over time, through attrition, the cats' numbers drop. The improvement is profound and swift. Easy techniques for keeping the cats out of yards where they're not wanted can be implemented. TNR
is now practiced all over New York City and is supported by the member
organizations of the NYC Feral Cat Council, who include the ASPCA, the
Humane Society of NY and the sponsor of the Council, the Mayor's Alliance
for NYC's Animals. Spay/neuter and help with trapping can be obtained at no
cost. All you need to do first is attend a three-hour workshop to learn to
do TNR safely. For a schedule of the next upcoming workshop and for other
services, check out our Services page. |
|
If you wake up in the morning, sniff the roasting coffee, open the
window for a bit of fresh air, take a look outside - and see a whole lot of
cats hanging out in the backyard, then you're far from alone. Throughout
the five boroughs of New York City, there are tens of thousands of stray
cats, often called "feral" because they are no longer tame. They originate
from cats who were lost or abandoned and have learned to fend for themselves
as best they can, usually with some help from a compassionate soul who
provides them food. They tend to live in groups or family units called
colonies.
