I don't have a cat . . .

I would say that doing the same thing that has been done for decades should not cntinue, because clearly it is not working. But that is not "nothing.". What has been done for decades is killing.

Certainly wildlife people should be looking at whether or not a reduced/aged cat population correlates to an increased bird populations. If it does not, then other factors are at play.

Many asssertions are made that cats are having a negative effect on bird populations. And yet, where I live now and where I lived last, are both areas with substantial feral and free roaming cat populations and both have robust and varied bird populations as well. The tree outside my bedroom explodes in sound every morning and the blackbirds have two nests per year in the blue spruce (cat proof as it is too nasty to climb) outside of my livingroom window. I have seen birds here that I have never seen before.

As a crazy cat woman, I do not want to see cats living as ferals. I would love to work with the bird people, say, on reducing and eventually eliminating that issue. And like a lot of cat people, I am not a fan of cats roaming freely outside even if they do have homes. And again, as is the case with most cat people, I think that we need a lot more spay and neuter and a much smaller cat population of wanted and well cared for cats.

You would think that those positions would create some sort of starting place to work with wildlife (bird) advocates. But you would be wrong. The only "solution" Audobon will consider is killing cats, in spite of decades of evidence that killing cats does not work. To the point of suggesting publicly in writing that people put out tylenol laced food to poison them.

So unfortunately, collaboration does not occur. Progress is being made as communities move from killing to TNR. But it is slow.

One of the biggest problems I can see with most of the studies is that they only focus on one aspect of the ecosystem (feral cats or wildlife). You see the change in the cat population but don't measure the change in the wildlife population (you assume a result on wildlife based upon changes in the cat population). Wildlife studies focus on the wildlife without really monitoring the changes in the cat population. Population predictions usually assume no migration into the colony; an unrealistic assumption in most regions. Both groups (animal welfare and wildlife conservation) need to work together to find the best solution for the entire ecosystem, not just their interest (feral cats vs. wildlife). That, being said, doing nothing is not a viable solution.

At this point I have strayed long enough off topic and will stop here.

I don't generally spend time reading research on what I have seen with my own eyes, and I have watched TNR work over and over again. And I have seen the results of trap and kill policies, which are simply dozens of cats awaiting execution in a shelter while the streets and fields are still full of ferals, a quarter of which are pregnant at any moment. Whether or not TNR is a perfect solution, decades of killing have made it clear that killing feral cats produces no benefits to anyone because it simply does not work. This is why communities that have slaughtered cats by the thousands, year after year, are switching to TNR. They still have a feral problem, because they have killed and killed and killed and accomplished nothing. And yes, that means more birds being eaten.

Of course, it is harder when surrounded by those who produce a steady stream of unwanted cats. The real solution in the end will need to include spaying amd neutering the tame cats that are producing the ferals, as well. More forward thinking communities are also working on that by providing low cost/free spay and neuter, especially in targeted areas.

The effectiveness of TNR depends upon who you listen to, Veterinary articles support the effectiveness of TNR while wildlife/conservation articles do not. For example:

Critical Assessment of Claims Regarding Management of Feral Cats by Trap–Neuter–Return
Use of matrix population models to estimate the efficacy of euthanasia versus trap-neuter-return for management of free-roaming cats

In terms of humane treatment; what is humane for the predictor may not be humane for the prey. It will all depend upon your focus (predator or prey).


Interestingly, I did read one article that suggested releasing cats may be illegal.

releasing cats into the wild and supporting
feral cat colonies is a violation of the Migratory Bird
Treaty Act and the Endangered Species Act, as well as
laws prohibiting animal abandonment source

Our feral cats do not keep out other cats; I have had to run them off which does not fit very well with the "place holder" hypothesis.

I, personally, do not know what is the best control method for ALL species involved.

It really is not a quandary. Killing is not simply inhumane, it is ineffective and decades and decades of killing cats has proven this. Populations in areas where killing is practiced do not go away or even shrink. Kill one, get two or four....just like coyotes.

TNR, on the other hand, typically results in a substantial reduction in the population in a given area. A %60-75 reduction in population is common and the remaining cats tend to slow down and hunt.less as they age. Especially if they are being fed. As an example, there used to be seven cats in my little colony. Now there are three. They used to climb trees and slaughter birds at night. Now, they demolish my garage. Its all good.

So from both a humane standpoint for the cats and a wildlife preservation standpoint, TNR is the better bet.

TNR will only work well with territorial animals. That probably lets out snakes and fish.

Feral cats are like any other non-native invasive species which will have adverse and possibly devastating effects on native species. How you choose to deal with an invasive spices will depend upon where your focus lies, with the welfare of the invasive or the welfare of the native.

Snakehead fish and pythons are other examples of pets that were released into the ecosystem. I wonder why these former pets are not being trapped, altered and released?

Personally, I am torn as to what is the best way for the overall ecosystem to deal with the feral cat problem: Trap/alter/release (accepting the resulting long term impact on native species) or trap and destroy (reducing the impact on native species).

We maintain 3 feral cats and one tame cat in our barns. They are supplemented with kibble to keep them here but we expect them to mouse. We also find pigeon kills which is okay with us. Unfortunately we also find occasional song bird kills which we are not happy about but cannot prevent which IS the issue with outdoor cats.

I will say this.... When I inherited a bunch of ferals from neighbors that moved away, I initially continued feeding them the same grocery store garbage chow that the neighbors had provided. After a little while, I realized that I could spend the same and provide a better diet with less work by upgrading. Now they get Taste Of The Wild kibble with a little canned food for flavor and water to keep them hydrated. They love it, of course. In winter, I use hot water.

I spend the same or less per cat and have half the hauling to do of cat food, and half the waste generated per day.

Fillers (and yes, that includes grain) make more poop and you feed more food. The cost is no less because they need so much more. Who the heck wants more poop or more food to lug in? Get the good stuff.

And no, feeding feral cats does not do them or anyone else harm. If you have a brain and get them fixed, it creates a smaller, stable placekeeper population living more comfortable lives.

Killing cats does them harm. Or trapping them for others to kill. Killing is just about as harmful as it gets.

Wanderlost wrote:
Avoid foods with grains in them; cats can't digest them. Meats, vice meat by products, serve them best. Some producers add vegetables and fruits, which cats may/may not like the taste of, but don't contribute to the cat's overall health.

Ideally, a raw food diet, just as they catch in the wild, is best. But if you don't like trapping/raising mice, squirrels, rabbits, voles, garter snakes, etc., best to stick with the cat foods.

Sorry, poor information not supported by a majority of the evidence out there.

Both wet and dry, Our cat like Avoderm. a family owned company that uses some avocado's to help with their fur. I would not trust a corporation with our family members health.

I for one am happy to serve our feline overlords....;-)