Feral cats, or a better name, community cats, exist in every community. They are the same species as domestic cats, but because they are not socialized to humans they can't be adopted into homes. They live a happy, content life outdoors in family groups called colonies. You may see them ducking behind supermarkets and restaurants, or sunning in your yard, and many of us dig into our wallets to feed them.
The most cost-effective, humane method to help feral cats is through a program called Trap-Neuter-Return. The cats are humane-trapped, surgically altered, vaccinated and returned to their outdoor home. This ends the breeding cycle and helps deter the unwanted behaviors of unfixed cats such as spraying and fighting. Outdoor cats and humans can co-exist peacefully like they have for thousands of years.
Contrary to what some people would like to believe, outdoor cats are not the reason for songbird decline in our country. Loss of habitat due to human encroachment, rampant development and related pollution cause far more bird deaths than cats. An Ohio State University study concluded that urbanization is the chief cause of declining populations of migratory birds. A 2005 study by the U.S. Forest Service estimates that six times more birds are killed annually by flying into buildings and power lines than by cats.
You may be shocked to learn that being killed in an animal shelter is the number one documented cause of death for cats in the United States. Milwaukee is no exception. Approximately 50 - 60% of all the cats that enter Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission are killed. In 2011 6818 cats entered the "shelter". Of those, 4235 were killed - or 62%. You can see all of the statistics at this link.
The traditional method of "catch and kill" has not worked to reduce the feral cat population. It is cruel, expensive and our tax dollars are funding it. A study done by Alley Cat Allies shows that the majority of Americans do not support the "catch and kill" method of animal sheltering.
Cities across the country are realizing that rather than the endless catch and kill, our tax dollars and donations would be much better spent on Trap-Neuter-Return programs for outdoor cats and low-cost spay and neuter for all cats. Isn't it time for Milwaukee to join the ranks of humane, cost-effective animal control?
Craig doesn't hate the cats, he hates the people who lack respect for their cats. The problem has grown, now several people have free roaming cats that are not spayed or neutered. This I know because there was a litter recently, and have seen kittens in the road at midnight.
Hoffa agrees - you've been a stand up neighbor and your neighbor who owns the cat refuses to be a stand up neighbor in return. That's exactly why Hoffa prefers having no neighbors ;-) If you pursued a civil small claims case against the neighbor who owns the cat, once the bad neighbor realizes that it might start costing him some time and money, the neighbor might actually start showing some respect towards others in how he cares for the cat. Remember, in addition to the damage caused by the cat, you could also recover nominal damages for the trespass that the neighbor's cat commits against your private property. As all of the other options you've tried failed to produce the results you seek, your neighbor is really leaving you with no alternative. I guess it depends on how much of a problem the cat poses to you. Just remember that it is an option that you do have in case it starts to become overwhelming or unbearable.
A childless 34 year old preaching about child rearing. Really?? YOU are the piece of work. Need the manual? So you admit a feral cat is a wild animal, like possums, coons, skunks and other potentially disease carrying wildlife. Are you claiming to be St. Francis of Assisi? Ever see what 2 or 3 coon hounds do to cats or other critters when doing business in the "wilds" like where you claim to grow up? It isn’t pretty. You would scream like a panty waist girly man. Yes, I have a clue. When the cross hairs cover the desired location, carefully squeeze the trigger. My son is a good shot too. $$ loves your nonsense! Please send more because you are getting to be fun! Don't forget to check out my other postings for you as well! Auf Wiedersehen!
Sounds like you prefer life to look like scenes from Deodato's Cannibal Holocaust (1980) - must be the German in you! Hoffa is more like Sean Patrick Flanery in the film Powder (1995) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Uz80zTMO40 You and your offspring could actually learn a lot from Powder - perhaps you should check it out!
Just be discrete and one or more of the options you mention do work.
OK Dr. Mengele, whatever you say!
It's not that Hoffa's a "libtard," far from it in fact if you ever bothered to read any of Hoffa's comments. It's just that Hoffa realizes that animals are innocent, while man is capable of betrayal, malicious behavior, back-stabbing, lying, disrespect, etc... basically evilness. You admit that your problem lies with the cat's owner, and yet you killed the innocent cat. If you were any kind of a real man, you would have killed the negligent owners, as they're the ones who committed the harm against you and your offspring - not the poor cat! The fact that you don't realize and apparently can't see the reality of this earns you a very special award: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6h0rSTRrQeQ Congratulations - douche bag of the year!
OK Dr. Mengele, whatever you say! Thank you, Dames no like Doofa.
Sorry, still a libtard (hee hee hee!) “Congratulations - douche bag of the year!” (hee hee hee) Where is your girlfriend on your “country estate”? Still your right or left Rosie? (hee hee hee). Can’t make kids with her if your daddy didn’t tell you already. (LMAO)! Time to go.
That's right, it is time to go - back into your trailer, as your wife/sister is calling for you!
JRH: I try to be a good neighbor most of the time. In Winter I get my tractor out to do my driveway, and wind up doing 10! By the way...I know authorities were searching for you. Looks like maybe they found you under a cement slab???
Keep it up and someone is going to get neutered.
(Insomnia sucks)
It's really rather amazing that despite our ages, we still get 'scared' by stuff like that, isn't it?
Our Wisconsin winters are no place for homeless cats and dogs. I think it's more cruel to let animals freeze to death or suffer in weather their bodies were never designed to handle. But so more needs to be done to educate people about responsible pet ownership.
Is it less expensive to catch, spay, and release feral cats who will never have the prospect of becoming pets, or is it not? Some people see them as vermin. others see them as wild animals that serve a purpose (controlling rodents) with a place in the urban ecosystem.
Dogs should not be allowed to run free like a wild animal and the same should apply to cats. FYI: the other night was quite cold....neighbors cat was caught by a serpentine belt, how humane is that? This should be viewed as animal cruelty, on the part of the cat's owner.
information about feral cats/feral colonies and more. YOU need to educate thineself and not display your blatant ignorance about 'declaw'..... my God, it's a 'manicure'.....they remove the FIRST JOINT OF EVERY TOE. It's as if someone amputated the first joint of every one of your toes on your feet or your hands; then told you, "Go learn to walk again without pain or work with your hands with the first joint of every finger missing." Speaking of WITCH, you are cold-blooded and need to think less than one- dimensional !