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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHandouts_Regular_Tab 06_03/14/2013_Abby Brennan ASPCA Position Stat�ne�t on Feral Cat Management ' Background ' Feral cats are free-roaming domestic cats who were r�ver socialized by humans qr have lived outdoors for so long that they have reverted to a wild state. Adult feral cats typicailly cannot be handled and are not suitable for placement into homes as companion animals. As a result, cats deemed "feral" are often euthanized once admitted to animal shelters. The kitten� of feral cats may be able to be handled and socialized if efforts begin when they are less than eight weeks of age. ' Free-roaming cat populations generally consist of a mixture of truly feral cats, semi-socialized cats and lost and abandoned pe�s. No one krmws f�ow many ft�ee-roaming cats live!in the United States, but estimates are about twenty million. Free-roaming cats, sometimes r�ferred to as "community cats," are found in all areas of the country and tend to gather togeth�r in colonies. Most attempts to eradicate free-roaming cat colonies have failed; cats who are'removed are replaced through reproduction, movement of the remaining cats and the addition of lost and abandoned animals, who repopulate the vacated space. Feeding bans are diffic�lt to enforce and are ineffective because c.ats are generally adept at finding alternate f�d sourue.s. However, for those cats who have become dependent on food provided by a caregiver, a f�eding ban is inhumane, usually forcing cats to subsist on insufficient resources. At this time the most humane, effective and financially sustainable strategy for controlling free- roaming cat populations is trap-neuter-return (TNR), whereby free-roaming cats ar�e trapped, sterilized, vaccinated, and returned to their colony of origin. A related approach ar� "Feral Freedom" initiatives, or neuter-return programs in which free-roaming cats taken ih by animal welfare agencies are transported directly to be sterilized, vaccinated, and then ret�rned to their original location. Trap-neuter-retum programs have the ability to stabilize the population of a free-roaming cat colony and, ove� time, reduce it (Levy ar� Crawford, 2004; Roberrtson, 2008). At the same time, the objectionable spraying, vocalizing and fighting behaviors of Cats in the colony are largely eliminated. ASPCA Pasition In order to stabilize and eventually reduce the free-roaming cat population through attrition, the ASPCA supports the management of free-roaming cat colonies through TNR arMd, when the resources of animal welfare agencie.s allow, through "Feral Freedom" prograiins. It is the ASPCA's position that truly unsocialized, free-roaming cats are best served' by focusing re.sources on TNR and Feral Freedom programs, distribution of exclusionary devices and deterrents, and public education regarding the humane management of free-�?oaming cats. Ideally, the management of free-roaming cat colonies should include trapping, sc�nning for the presence of a microchip, vaccination, sterilization, ear ��tipping" (surgical removau of the tip of one ear as a visible sign that the cat has been sterilized) and, when feasible, micro�chipping. Recognition by animal control officers and shelter staff that an ear-tipped cat has already been spayed or neutered allows for healthy, unsocialized cats to remain at or to be returned to their origin, rather than be admitted to an animal shelter.TIVR and Feral Freedom programs should only return cats to their origin if they are receiving adequate food, water and shelter, and if the environment is conducive to successful outdoor living. The programs should also! advocate for the well-being of the cats, mediate cat-related neighborhood nuisance complairits and assist with installation of exclusionary measures or deterrents to limit cats' presence i� dangerous, emlogically sensitive or cont�sted areas. The ASPCA advocates placing well-socialized free-roaming cats and k'ittens in new� homes when feasible. Testing for feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia, while not practical for feral cats in general, is recommended for any kittens or adult cats who are to �e placed for adoption or who are showing signs of illness; a positive test result should be �confirmed by subsequent testing in order to rule out false positive findings. The ASPCA does not support man� colonies in ecologically sensitive areas; ir� areas where demolition or development is impending; where cats are being subjected to harm or abuse; or, where despite �st efforts, nuisance complaints cannot be satisfactorily mediated. In such cases, the ASPCA recommends re-location of the colony according to the guidelin�.s outlined by Alley Cat Allies (2005), the adoption of sociable animals and the placement o� unadoptable animals into legitimate, humane sanctuaries. In addition, after the cats �re removed, exclusionary measures and deterrents can be put inbo place to prevent immigration of new cats to the area. Levy, ]. K., & Crawford, P. C. (200�4). "Humane strategies for controlling feral cat pjopulations." ]ournal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 225(9), 1354-1360. ' Robertson, S. (2008). ��A review of feral cat control." Joumal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 10, 366-375. Alley Cat ANies (2005). Guidetines: Safe relocation of feral cats. Bethesda, MD. �� o �� � 3 � o o � � o�� � � � � � v �� i a o � c � � � � �' c f' � •„ �? Y�. >. � r o � a �- � ,. .. :o -c .� �, ',� � Q � ° -C G w 6 � ° �" ° v� -� y � ' c3 � � � ..Y y p .ca � � � r.�A � e��y - „ A � . __ � � Q � � GW .� ca a� �; � � � o � f "a o �' � u � � . � � ~ � c � �, �, N ° � ;� � '' � , � ,� c .Y y ' m o �, '' N �„ b° '� �a n ° G �a „ �' °� y ... 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