I admit it, I laughed out loud. As I recall, just 48 hours after a politician proposed to legalize shooting feral cats in Wisconsin a few years back, some doofus shot his neighbor while aiming at a cat.
Now, they're thinking of shooting cats in New Jersey, of all places.
I understand all the issues with feral cats, potential for rabies transmission, preying on native species (particularly songbirds), and just a nuisance. I am also concerned about the humane lives those cats lead. Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) gets these guys vaccinated for rabies, and because the cats are all spay/neutered and then re-released, they can no longer reproduce. Over time, the colonies diminish in size, eventually reaching zero. Meanwhile, caretakers watch over the cats' welfare. TNR is humane, and it does work.
I can't believe I have to outline why shooting cats may not be the best plan:
- What if you do shoot your spouse or neighbor by accident - as pointed out, it has happened.
- Cats are tough to shoot and kill. Mostly, the cats would be injured (dying an agonizing death), and learn to be even more cautious of people.
- What if you are shooting an owned cat? Listen, I want people to keep their cats indoors. But cats do get out by mistake. And even for those who allow their cats out, I'm not sure a bullet to the head is a punishment that fits the crime.
- What if you shoot the neighbor's puppy or a rabbit by mistake?
- TNR does diminish numbers, we know that. How efficient is shooting? We don't know.
- What are we teaching our families, our children as a solution to problem solving...apparently, just get a gun, point and shoot.
Filed under: cats
Feral cats are a huge nuisance. The spayed/neutered cats can live a long time after they've been released and in the mean time they're still being feral cats. The idea that someone might accidentally shoot their neighbors rabbit is made even more ridiculous by the fact that feral cats kill way more baby rabbits each year than I would if I were allowed to shoot them. You can laugh out loud if you want, but people are getting tired of all these stray cats killing songbirds, eating trash, breeding like crazy and crapping on their lawns. You say they'll mostly be injured but not with a 35 Remington. You don't want your cat to get shot? Put a tag on him/her. And as far as our children go if they have good parents they'll still grow up to learn the difference between right and wrong. We already use guns to cull wild pig populations, and if you disagree with that then I'd like to see you try to trap, neuter and release one.
Wow, the way humans treat animals in this country is sad. But I'm not going to go off on that point because I could be here forever.
We have something like a TNR program where I live as well. Actually, while I was a college student, I went to them to get my cat fixed (a stray I'd found) because I didn't have the $120 the local vets wanted, on average, to do the job. The day I went, some lady was unloading about 14 stray cats she'd caught, and would subsequently release. She said she did that once a month. Good woman.
P.S. @TheFonz: my neighbor is *really* a nuisance. They knock my trash over, make a mess in the hall, are really loud, toss crap on the lawn, park me into my space, and are generally all-around pains in the neck. I've tried being humane with them, you know, talking to them, and I figured I'd continue doing so but...hey thanks. Your comment has enlightened me: a 35 Remington is the way to solve all of our annoying little troubles.
Maybe you should call the cops on them then, or file some other form of complaint with the housing authority in your area? Animal Control won't deal with the cats in my area though because they have so many other animal control issues to worry about and they get too many cat complaints. So I'll just take matters into my own hands. A cat is NOT a human, no matter how much you want to believe your pet is your own child it is not. If my dog ever bit my kid or any other kid I would have to put them down. If my kid ever hit another kid I would not be expected to have them put down. Likewise, comparing feral cats to unruly neighbors is equally ridiculous. I hope this law passes because a 35 Remington - while not able to solve ALL my annoying little troubles - would at least be able to solve these little whisker-bearing ones.
I was searching for an answer to a dilemma when I came across this site. I had to reply to this thread so pardon the late entry.
My friends have over 50 feral cats (yes, 53 at last count!!!) that have invaded their property. They not only find an abundance of cat waste but also find many half eaten rodents, birds, chipmunks etc, strewn across their front back and side yards. Decomposing critters attract other scavengers and insects. For whatever reason, the local population of prey isn't enough for these feral cats and they are constantly in my friend's trash. The smell around their house is unbearable and forget about opening a window in the warm weather. They are cat lovers and maintain 3 humane society adopted and well cared for indoor cats in their home (which some people think is cruel - go figure). They have no canines (booo!) They made the mistake of feeding a pregnant stray several moons ago and even though they stopped feeding these feral cats, they continued to gather. Feed them and they will come!!!! They are surrounded by farmed land and all the farmers have their own cats and feral cat killing dogs. Other friends have suggested trapping them and bringing them to shelters. The problem is, many shelters will not accept feral cats. Someone suggested poisoning them... thats a slow and painful death that they didn't want to live with. In this State, feral cats are classified as nuisance animals and live trapping is permitted. Releasing them for relocation requires permission from the owner of the land and not many people want a colony of feral cats doing to their property what they are doing to my friends'. TNR still costs $$$. I can donate some money, but in this economy, I have better things to spend my money on. Like food, gas and other bills. What would it cost to TNR 50+ FERAL cats? So if they cannot breed anymore, will they stop soiling the land and air around my friends home?
The Fonz brings up some valid points. The many replies to him seem overly emotional. I dunno, maybe living within a big urban jungle (Chicago right?) allows some to stand on higher moral ground than their fellow Americans who live in the rural parts of this country (world). You have the privilege of having your own opinion and not having one forced down on you.
A cat is not a person. A feral cat is not a pet. Around this part of the country, dogs need licenses, cats do not... maybe that is part of the problem. Another problem is the fact that although we treat our PETS as part of the family, they are considered property. Property, just like deer (Mmmmmm venison!)... even if you own the land that you HUNT on, you have to report to the GOVT (State) that you harvested one of THEIR deer. Funny how deer don't know where the state borders are to change their residences and report that to their govt owners. Why doesn't the DNR (fish and game) want to help me get their feral cats off my land or charge me a fee for the permit??? Oh thats right, they are destructive nuisance animals.
If your apartment (condo/coop) complex's hallway regularly smelled of cat urine and feces and had a plague of flies, I'd bet some of you would be singing a different tune.
My friends are considering adopting a dog... or two. Not sure they're not opening another can of worms.
Maybe my friends should adopt a pack of dogs
Come on, how bad are feral cats? I've known people who lived near a colony and didn't even know it. I live near one, and the cats who visit my house and do the most "damage" are my neighbor's cats, not the ferals in a managed colony in the woods. Ferals don't mix with humans if they have the choice. Most colonies have responsible caretakers, and don't forget--IT'S THE HUMANS WHO DUMP THOSE CATS AND THEIR ANCESTORS OUTSIDE, NOT THE CATS WHO PUT THEMSELVES THERE. They don't deserve to be shot for what irresponsible people have done.
TheFonz: I feel bad for baby rabbits, except that rabbits breed that way because they are a food source for predators higher up on the food chain. Do you complain when owls kill way too many baby rabbits? Or hawks and falcons? And I'm sorry, hunting small prey is a skill greater than hunting larger prey like deer. I know people who've hunted all their lives and who won't hunt small prey because, as Steve says, they'll usually just injure them and a responsible hunter won't let that happen. A vengeful cat-hater will, and I've seen the results. By the way, are you still combing your hair in a ducktail?
No, I complain when the cats eat all baby rabbits, mice, songbirds and don't leave any in my area for the larger birds. Owls, hawks and falcons are protected because their numbers are dwindling. Do you believe the pythons that have been introduced to the Everglades should be allowed to prosper and live freely? What about the wild pigs that tear up farmland and are also exploding in population? Do you believe we should try to trap, sterilize and release them too? Or do you not care because they aren't *cute*? Feral cats are exploding and the TNR isn't doing nearly enough to stop it. Meanwhile we're spending how much to trap, neuter, and shelter the cat during it's recovery? A bullet costs about 13 cents while we could be using the money we save on health care for HUMANS. I don't know many vengeful cat haters who will shoot a cat and get a kick out of watching it slowly die. I guess cat-lovers see anybody who don't share their enthusiasm for felines this way? It should not enjoy its protected status simply because it is a *cute* animal and so many people own them as pets.
What about homeless people ? Can I shoot them ? Or how about your dogs that bark all night and shit everywhere, filthy animals - can I shoot them ? Can I shoot you if I catch you without ID ? It would be worth catching one of you in the act ...
Yeah, they are going to shot the cats. Like they successfully diminished overpopulation of deer (by hunting for it)? Same way? I came to US in the 1980s. There was an overpopulation of deer then. It's still here. And deer reproduces only once a year. Cat does it 3 times. With 5 cubs at a time (at least). Good luck. Incompetents. So are the TNR opponents judging from the post by Fonz.
Legalizing strays as "wildlife" will put cats on the same definition as "game" which means you can legally shoot with a gun or bow and arrow, and kill cats, skin them for fur, and use their meat for chicken dishes, which is done all over China. But I'll tell you one thing-if one of my cats accidently escapes from my home, and some numb-nut shoots it, I will personally sue the person involved, the County, and all of you State law makers - I will see you ALL in Court for violating animal cruelty laws, and legalizing cat meat because they will be defined as "game". Yep-I will see you ALL in Court - that's a PROMISE.
I'll be looking forward to it. If you didn't have a tag on it and your cat was on my property I'd be within my rights. Keep your cat inside or on a leash, mmmmkay? I have to do that with my dog, but I guess cat owners feel like they're above this.
Seriously, how often do you think someone has shot another person while aiming at a cat? You call it instances but you only quote one instance (and no source for the story). When you compare it to all the violent crime, hunting accidents and other gun-related injuries that one instance is barely even worth mentioning. I guess it works for your side of the story, though, right? Nevermind the millions of songbirds and small animals at the bottom of the food chain that are wiped out by an unnatural predator we introduced, a HUMAN was shot! A cat is not the same as a person so comparing shooting a feral cat to an uncooperative neighbor is like comparing apples to oranges. Cats should have tags, and if they don't and I shoot their cat then they were just being negligent. If you actually get out of your house and meet your neighbors then you can get to know them and their pets. That should be pretty easy, right?