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The tragedy of homeless cats has reached epidemic proportions in the
Twin Cities area. Abandoned domestic cats who have had minimal
contact with people, and of course, their offspring develop a
natural fear of humans. Such cats are referred to as feral.
Failure to spay and neuter these formerly domestic cats allows them
to breed uncontrollably. It is shocking to learn that a pair of
breeding cats can produce two to three litters in a year, which over
a seven-year period can result in more than 400,000 offspring.
Feral cats
live in colonies that can be found behind abandoned buildings,
shopping and business areas, parks, universities and rural areas.
Tragically, their lives are filled with suffering. In Minnesota,
many freeze to death during the winter months, while others die of
starvation. |
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At first
glance, one might think that trapping and euthanizing is the answer;
however, it is impossible to trap all feral cats, and since their
rate of reproduction is so rapid, large numbers of offspring
continue to add to the population. Studies on how to deal with this
growing problem have shown the most successful method is known as
trap-neuter-release. Once sterilized, these cats can no longer
reproduce. Trap-neuter-release also involves a feral caregiver who
helps manage the food, water, shelter and, when needed, medical care
for the cats in the colony. While having a loving home is an ideal
situation, this method allows these cats to live out their lives as
comfortably as possible—without adding to future generations of
misery. |
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The
Minnesota Humane Society, Animal Ark, and Feline Rescue have joined
forces to fight the war on feral cat overpopulation. Feral cat
colonies are identified; cats from the colonies are trapped,
sterilized, medically checked, and vaccinated for rabies. Their
left ears are tipped so they can be later identified as sterilized.
Medical care is administered in Animal Ark’s “Neuter Commuter”, a
mobile surgical unit, partially funded by the Minnesota Humane
Society. After a 24-36 hour recovery, the cats are returned to
their colony areas with a caretaker assigned. The Minnesota Humane
Society is committed to continuing these trap-neuter-release
partnerships to ensure the feral cat overpopulation war is
eventually won |
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