HomeMy WebLinkAboutHandouts_Workshop_Tab 07_03/04/2013_Abby Brennan �
In October 2008, the Pinellas County Board of Commissioners approved a
Citizen's Working Study Group to study the issues, problems, prevention, and
solutions regarding the feral cat population in Pinellas County. Members from a
wide variety of concerned groups of stakeholders were recruited and the work of
this group con#inued through October 20D9.
The Citizens' Working Group on Feral and Free-Roaming Cats presented the
following recommendations that were approved by the Pinellas County Board of
County Commissioners:
1. Approve the Establishment of a Feral and Free-Roaminq Cat Initiative in
Pinellas Countv, Florida that accomplishes the following:
• Humanely reduces the current feral cat population,
• Prevents free-roaming cats from becoming feral,
• Encourages and elevates the status of feral and free-roaming cats
back to that of a companion/pet with a residence and responsible
owner/family.
by
2. Promoting and participating in our Groups ongoing education campaign
that emphasizes the following points: necessity of early spay/neuter (by 5
months of age for kittens), benefits (to the cats, wildlife, and community) of
keeping cats indoors, and the availability of low cost spay/neuter
programs. Since the Group recognizes the budgetary limitations of the
county, we recommend that you provide input and advice to this campaign
through existing resources (veterinary and media experts, county
websites, flyers in utility bills, etc...).
3. Continuing to support and potentially expand the current spay/neuter
programs of Animal Services (including the Animobile) directed towards
low income citizens. Encourage humane organizations and local
veterinarians to participate in similar programs and publicly recognize
them for their contributions. The Board is also highly encouraged to
explore the possibility of sharing county resources such as the Animobile
with humane organizations conducting such programs.
4. Continuing to support the current animal control code that requires owners
to vaccinate, license, and prevent their cats from roaming free. This code
also discourages leaving food or garbage outside where it attracts a
variety of animals and encourages cats to free- roam and gravitate toward
a feral existence. �
5. The Group recognizes that some of the county's citizens are deeply
invested, both financially and emotionally, in the well being of feral cats
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and actively participate in programs that trap, neuter and return these cats
to the environment. Common sense tells us that if cats are already at large
it is better that they be sterilized rather than fertile and vaccinated rather
than non-vaccinated; however, BOCC support or opposition to TNR
programs would continue the controversy and this may or may not be in
the interest of the BOCC. We recommend, rather, that you encourage
private humane organizations to interact with those citizens involved in
such programs in order to work towards common goals that are in the
interest of the BOCC and citizens of Pinellas County. Our Group, on your
behalf, has ident�ed these goals as ones that humanely reduce the total
number of free-roaming and feral cats in the county, encourage
responsible ownership of all cats, minimize nuisance complaints attributed
to free roaming cats, protect the health and safety of our citizens,
protect the welfare of all cats as domestic and companion animals and
gives protection to our wildlife and encourages a peaceful co-existence
between domestic cats and wildlife and among the residents of Pinellas
County..
� : � ���� =3 C � �._" -°� �7k �_��� t__°°: �:� �_��I � �-� I�.} C _� 1� C_ :_ _� �-°���� ��� ��-� _ � [� ° � �__� ��I �`--� � C _� C7 C-� Ci C� � �
Because indoor cacs may slip out an open door, ic's The HSUS is rh.e nacion's largesc animal procection
imporcanc to keep in mind the odier essenrials of ��j !�s��, organization wich more than 5.7 million members Keeping Cats Indoors
responsible pet ownership: ^��..{ `�_,f'-�°� and conscituents. AHA, founded in 1877, is a na[ion- � t; , , v
Spay or neuter your kitten as early as eighc weeks
i al nenvork of individuals and organizations working ��p � � Ts' �;'�
to protecr animals and children. ABC is dedicated co
of age; `' .�.., „�s rhe conservation of wild birds and their habitacs
Provide routine veterinary care, including annual �� � � through partnerships throughout che Americas. We
check-ups and vaccinacions; -, � t� p � invice other groups and individuals to join us. �� N. � f' � �� f �� !� %$` �• s �
Put an identification cag on your cac's collar- ic's � 1'', For more information, contact: � t � �
her tickec home if she slips out; and Cats Indoors! The Campaign for Safer Birds and Cacs �'� t='j � !"
American Bird Conservancy j; � � ' �'
Where such ro rams exis�, license our cac. �' �
P g y Support efforts in your communiry to protect wildlife 1731 Connecricur Ave., NW, 3"' Floor ,� �;� \_� �
and thair habitats. All wild animals have three basic Washington, DC 20009 � T ` - " ' �
needs: food, water and plants chat provide escape Phone: 202-234-7181 :� �'" `�`" �✓�` '-- '•
Supporc local cac concrol and pro�ecrion plans; cover and nescing sices. If you feed birds in your yard, E-Mail: abcC�abebirds.org Web site: www,abcbirds,org '"; ' ~ `�
locace feeders away from windows and brushy vegeta- �' i t �� �
Suppott legislation requiring cat owners to reg- tion that permits neighborhood cats co hide. Keep T►ie Humane Society of che Unired States ! -" I�
isrer rheir cars and prevent chem from roaming; your feeders clean and well stocked. Where possible, 2100 L Street N`JV "' /�_ �' �� '—� �
Do not feed unowned or free-ranging cats with- establish a brush pile for wildlife away from feeders. Washingcon, DC 20037 �'' (�� -� � r._ . j � i
out making a commicmenc co giving or finding Avoid using pesricides. Phone: 202-452-1100 "�j � 4 -_� � r�• -- ,
them a permanent indoot home; and �� �' � p_t �'"" � ',
American Humane Association ' �* ' ' �
Take cacs for whom you cannox care ro your local �. � ; ��� `�
animal shelcer to give chem the best possible 63 Inverness Drive Easr a.-. � � \ 4 �_ � ,`:
chance of adopcion into loving, lifelong homes. ^,"� Englewood, CO $0112 � ��1, �
� � Phone; 303-792-9900 � '^� �
� ��� J � � Cats Indoors! The Campaign for Safer Birds and Cacs is ', �,, �+�����
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� made possible in part by the generous support of the '�,�; �,; �„ ;� � ,� : ,d �;
{;r�IS INDOOitS. , � '
Geraldine R. Dodge Foundadon, Endangered Species '� �-� 'S, V
� �;, <:j>.t;•ai � t�,�, tiacFxiiu�i� � e:;;; Recovery Counc:il, The Panaphil Foundation and .�`�' � '�V
��,► Frances V. R. Seebe Trusc. Bird Images by Alan Hopkins. �*'• �'�
Cats cannoc be blamed for killing wildlife. It is the �r j•;�'` � �'
�, ""*�, �, responsibiliry af car owners to ensure tliat theii� cats � r .� ��= E=-`1 C�7 C_
-� r ''1� are safely indoors. The Humane Sociery of che United ���;
�� � � Staces (HSUS), American Humane Associarion
���► (AHA), and orher groups are working wich Ametican �,
! `�.,,, � Bird Conservancy (ABC) on "Cats Indoors! The � '�
� Campaign for Safer Birds and Cats." Through rhis "='�-�
campaign, we will educate and encourage cat owners `�.;
co protect cats, birds and other wildlife by keeping AMERICAN �.�.AMERICAN
cats ittdoors. 'ISHl1MANE /� BIRD +G� �S°� G1'CS ItiDOORS!
A$$�GATION I CONSERVANCI' 1'nt (;tKi:vr,d Pua Sneer Btem A C.�is
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Human Cruelty - Each year, animal shelcers and ' '
ach year, millions of cats are run ovet by cars, veterinarians creac cats who have been shot, '� ? V(/e all know that cats don'c have nine lives, but there
mauled b}r dogs, poisoned and lost. Hundreds of mil- stabbed, or set on fire. Unsupervised cats may N ,� r,;, are three other mychs abouc cat predation we'd like to
lions of birds and small mammals are killed annually also be captured and used as "bait' to train fight- dis el.
by free-roaming cacs. The sufFering of boch cats and in do s. r p
birds is all the more tragic because it is so unnecessary. g g 1. "Belled" cats do kill wildlife. Cau with belis on
Overpopulation - Unaltered free-roaming cats \ � their collars can learn co s�alk cheir prey silendy.
Today's cac owners face an imporrant decision: are che single most importanc cause of cat over- a"`""- � Even if che don't, wild animals do not necessaril
"Should I keep my cat indoors?" For your car's sake, o ulation. As a resulc, millions of cats for ` Y y
and chat of che birds and other wildlife in your neigh- whom there are no homes must be euchanized ! associace che ringing of a bell with danger.
borhood, che answer to thax question must be "yes!" each year. �� �''�.%� 2. Even well-fed cats kill wildlife. The urge to hunt
and che urge to eat are concrolled by differenc por-
Disease - Cats allowed oucdoors risk exposure to r tions of rhe cat's brain.
fatal diseases, including rabies, feline leukemia, Piping Plover, Western Snowy Plover and California
The average life expeccancy of an oucdoor cac is just distemper, and feline immunodeficiency virus Gnatcarchec 3. Once caughc by a cac, Eew birds survive, even if they
nvo to five years, while an indoor cat may survive for (F1V). Vaccines are noc 100 percent effeccive. appear to have escaped. Infection from the cat's
17 or more years. Cats who roam are conscancly in Regardless of tbe status of che species, each wild animal ceeth or claws or the stress of capture usually resulrs
danger... Parasites - Cats allowed ourdoors are more likely suffers when captured by a cac. By letting our cars our- in death.
co concract debilirating parasices such as worms, side, we — perhaps wirhout incenc — place a higher
Cars - Millions of cats are run over by cars each ticks, mites, and fleas. value on the freedom of our pet than on the life of that
year. Seeking warmth, outdoor cacs crawl into cardinal, that chickadee or rhar chipmunk she kills.
car engines and are killed or maimed when che Poisons and Traps - Exposure ro pesricides, Kictens who are kepc indoors usually show no desire
car is restarted. Motoriscs risk accidents in rodenticides and antifreeze poisons and kills to vencure ourside as cats. With knowledge, patience,
atcempting co avoid hitting free-roaming cars. chousands of oucdoor cars each yeac Cats are and time, we can change most cats who roam out-
maimed and killed in craps sec for furbearing doors inco happy indoor pets. These cips will help.
Animal Attacks - Torn ears, scratched eyes, animals. A descendanc of the wild ca� of Africa and southwest-
abscesses, internal injuries, diseases, and some- ern Asia, the domestic cat instinctively hunts and Provide a safe, outside enclosure, such as a
cimes deach result from encouncers wich dogs, screened porch.
ocher cacs, and wild animals like raccoons, co - captures prey. However, wildliFe in che Western
y Today, birds and other wildlife Face more obstacles co Hentis�here di�i not evolve in the presence of a sinall, Provide window shelves co permit cacs co moni-
otes and foxes. cheir survival than ever before. Wildlife liabicacs are abundant predator like che domestic cat, and rhus did tor the outdoors fi•om che safery of che indoors,
destroyed and degeaded every day, and many sPecies not develop defenses agaiust them. Cats were intro-
are dedining as a result. Even the iinpacts of natural duced in Norrh America by European immigrancs Play with your eat each day. Paper bags and card-
p predacors on their prey is changing based on how only a few hundred years ago. board boxes are sources oF unending delighr
�'`'^> humans are altering namral environments. And the when you are away.
�"`� ,_ � While cats ma,� insrincrively hunt wildliFe, it is dear
presence of an unnatural predator — the domestic cat Planc kitxy grass (available from pet supply
— is having an impact as we1L chat they ate not adapted to life in the wild as are our scores) in indoor pots so your cat can graze.
�� � � native wild cats like the bobcac and mountain lion.
��.�•w, �, r^ Scientiscs estimace that cats kill hundreds of millions Outdoor domestic cat populacions are mosc com- Clean litter boxes regularly.
#.+�,,, � r . of birds each year and three times as many small monly found in and around human settlements; most
"+'+ �• �. mammals. Most birds killed by cacs are members of do not survive without direcc or indirect supporx by
'. �,,, relacively common species, like che Northern humans. They are in this way very differenc from
f `�., Cardinal, Song Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco; ochers native predators.
are race and endangered — che California Leasr Tern,
i — a L..,. r..� ■ — a � � — a R�. �_�7 �`� i�.J � — .i L___°___!1 @..`� �_��J a — s � l�! � �� � t.�_7 f — a L__.-_._t i - ! �._.� � � � �
,�.�.,"� THE GREAT OLITDOORS IS ?' ��-��� �,At� �yERI�AI�
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��,� NO PLACE FOR CATS ,� �� R�
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Outdoor cats, even otherwise well cared-for cats, face an e�ctraordinary array of dangers. According
to The Humane Society of the LInited States, free-roaming cats typically live less than five years,
whereas cats kept exclusively indoors often live to 17 or more years of age.
GENERAL H:ALARDS TO FREE-ROA1�1ItiG CATS FEI.[NE DISF.ASF.S
Cars Cars kill millions of cats each year in the LI. S. and maim Free-roaming cats are at risk from many diseases, some of
countless others, either from being hit or from crawling inside the which are acquired from prey animals_ Some diseases affecting
hood of a car to get warm in the winter. Automobile accidents also cats can be transmitted to humans. Vaccines are available for
occur as drivers attempt to avoid hitting a cat in the road. some of these diseases, but no vaccine provides 100 percent
protection.
PoisoninQ: �ats can fmd �her,�icals thai a:e paisonous to them
on treated lawns, in rat or mice bait, and on driveways and roads Frline Ceukemia Virus ( FeLV ) compromises a cat's
from antifreeze leaked or drained &om cars. Antifreeze tastes sweet immune system and is the leading cause of death due to
to a cat, but as little as one teaspoon can be Fatal. infectious disease in
cats. There is no � r ` d�' �
1 n i in a 1 A t ta c k 5: Outdoor cats can be injured or killed by free- cure. The virus is
roaminp dogs, wildlife, and other cats. Cats can suffer torn ears, shed in feces, milk, �� s' �' _
. �r �
scratched eyes, abscesses and other injuries requiring expensive and tears, but r „� L r ��
veterinary treatment. Fatal diseases can be transmitted by bites spread between cats �
and scratches from infected animals. primarily via saliva �'�'� � `�
by grooming, `` � � 'd �
Fluman Abuse Animal care and control agencies often learn of licking, biting, and '�'��� k ��
situations in which cats have been burned, stabbed, or hurt by other shared food dishes and litter pans. Kittens can be infected by
means. Free-roaming cats are also susceptible to theft. their mother before birth or during nursing after birth. Cluucal
signs range from chronic diseases to cancer. Once infected
Tra��s : Cats can get caught in traps set for other anunals and may with FeLV, the cat may develop immunity and become resistant
become injured or sufFer before being released. to future infections; become a"latent carrier" of the disease;
ar become persistently infected and die within three years.
Uverpo��ulation: Unaltered outdoor cats are the main source Death can be sudden or lingering and painful. A vaccine exists
of cat overpopulation, causing millions of unwanted cats to be and must be given annually, but is not 100 percent effective.
euthanized at animal There is at least one reported transmittal of FeLU to a
� ��+ � �� shelters each year. mountain lion.
� Humane societies and
� ' • � t
o � �. � anunal controi agencies I�cline Panieuko[�enia`'irus (FYV), also Irnown as feline
"• •� struggle daily to rescue, distemper, is extremely contagious either by direct cat to cat
i
a � ,� treat, feed, and house contact, or indirect means, i.e., transmitted on clotlung, by
" stray and unwanted cats. people, or inan;mate objects. Fleas can also spread the virus.
o —'�."t'=,
,� Dealing with this FPV attacks and destroys white blood cells in cats, effectively
� preventable tragedy disarming the cat's immune system, makirig it vulnerable to
costs taxpayers millions of dollars each year. other diseases. FPV also attacks the gastrointestinal system
linked to domestic cats. Plague causes fever, diarrhea, nausea, slurred I�uunchvc�rnis can reside in the intestinai tract oFcats, other
speech, mental confusion, sta�gering gait, coughing, enlarged lymph domestic animals, and wildlife. Cats can contract this parasite
nodes, coma, and death iF not treated immediately. A vaccine is no from eating infected wildlife, and mother cats can pass the
longer commercially available in the U.S. larvae to their kittens before birth or through milk.The kittens
can develop life-threatening disease as a result. Signs of infection
Cat-Scratch llisease (CSD) is caused by a bacterium, Bartonella in pets include vomiting, loss of appetite, or severe weight
henselae, and is transmitted from cat to cat by fleas. Over 90 percent 1oss. Cats infected with these worms contaminate their
of human cases are associated with either a scratch or a bite received surroundings by passing eggs or larvae in their feces. People
from a cat. CSD occurs in people of all ages, but most frequently get roundworms through direct contact with infected feces,
affects children under the age of 10. People who contract this by chance ingestion of contaminated soil, sand, or plant life.
disease sometimes require treatment including antibiotics, Children are more wlnerable than adults. Roundworms enter
analgesics, bed rest, and heat applied to painful lymph nodes.This the body when ingested as eggs that soon hatch into ]arvae.
disease can cause encephalitis in young children and people with The larvae migrate through the liver, lungs, and other organs
compromised immune systems can become seriously ill and may and tissues where they can cause damage and induce allergic
rec{uire prolonged treatment. Up to 80 pereent of the cats in some responses. Infection may leave children with permanent visual
studies were infected with this disease. Cats typically show no or neurological damage. Roundworms can remain infective in
symptoms of the disease, and kittens are more commonly infected the soil for a prolonged period. Drugs are auailable to kill this
than adults. parasite in cats and people.
Te�xuf�lasmosis is caused by a tiny protozoan parasite, ToxoPlasma Huokw��rms are a type of roundworm that lives in a cat's
gondii, which resides in the intestinal tract oF cats and in the tissues digestive tract and can infect human skin, causing lesions.
oi many animals and rocients. if contracted by a pregnant woman People acquire hookworm larvae through contact with wet
in her first trimester, it can cause abortion of the fetus or blindness, sand or soil.For example, sunbathers, children, electricians,
retardation, or seizures in the newborn. T. gondii can also cause plumbers and other
infected ewes to abort their lambs or produce stillborns. It is �.orkers who crawl =� �
estimated that 30% of cats and up to 50% of humans have been beneath raised {
exposed to T. gondii. buildings are more '.`•, f r- � •
susceptible than the �
iV
, �`+ � f
Cats and people can acyuire T. gondii from undercooked meat, generalpublic. The �� r• � o,
unpasteurized milk, contaminated water sources, soil or sandboxes larvae can remain �, "+' �,.�� �'
contaminated with cat feces, Elies, rodents, earthworms, and the alive and travel in �� !� �` ' �1,�
litter boxes of infected cats. Toxo lasmosis can cause serious illness the skin for u to �`'"° '` ' F ���'� a '
P p
in children and even death in individuals with compromised immune several months. One type of hookworm can penetrate into
systems. A suspected outbreak of toxoplasmosis occurred in British deeper tissues and cause more serious damage to intestines
Columbia in 1995. One hundred and ten people were believed to and other organs. Drugs are available for cats and people.
have acquired acute infections from the feces of infected domestic For more information, go to Centers For Disease Control and
feral cats which entered the drinldng water supply. Cats are the Prevenrion web site at: «« ��_c�lc.�cn / hcalth�,��ce,, .
only animals in which the organism can complete its complex life
cycle and be exereted in the feces. Signs of inFechon in cats vary ('�>ilciusion � While letting cats outdoors may seem the natural
from being unapparent to weight loss, fever, diarrhea, pneumonia, �g to do, the hazards that cats face when they leave home
encephalitis, and eye disease. Toxoplasmosis may be fatal in young �e clearly numerous. The best wa� to keep cats health�, and
ldttens. �rotect wildlife and human health is to kee� cats indoors.
For more information, contact:
AMERICAN BIRD CONSERVANCY
CATS INDOORS! THE CAMPAIGN FOR SAFER BIRDS AND CATS
1731 Connecticut Avenue, NW, 3rd Floor
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 202/234-7181; Fax: 202/234-7182;
E-mail: abc(Ja abcbirds.org;Web site• �+�ww-«_ahrl>irci5.ork
2004