Why does this happen? How do we wind with horrific estimates of 300,000 stray and feral cats in this province?
Part of the problem is that cats are particularly vulnerable. A cute cuddly little kitten doesn't cost a lot to feed .... so the well intentioned folks who actually can't afford to have a pet still think they can manage having a cat. Folks who don't have the wherewithal to get the cat fixed all seem to have the romantic notion that it will be enough to keep the cat indoors. Cats are usually pretty quiet too, so folks with 'no pet' apartments can easily keep one 'undercover', at least for a while.
Part of the problem of course lies in the fact that it has been going on for so darned long. During the last few months, the society has developed an official position on Feral Cats and TNR Population Control Programs .... as well as orchestrating an unprecedented Town Hall to , in their words, "initiate a holistic approach to the solution" There is no denying that their support for TNR is going to make a world of difference in the years to come.
But the real crux of the problem lies in the difference between stray and feral cats. TNR is definitely the most humane solution for the feral cat problems. There have already been successful precedents for municipal support for TNR in NS. Even though there are still some places that do not want the "R" or Return of the equation, there is no denying that with more publicity and public education, TNR will be here to stay in NS
It is the stray cats that seem to slip through the cracks:
- No room at the inn for them with shelters and groups
- Feed me - I'm yours Some kind folks will not feed strays because of the legal obligation this carries ..... and they know they don't have the resources to vaccinate/test/fix them. Others start feeding anyway and the cats multiply until the situation rapidly gets out of hand
- People who live in popular dumping areas often turn a blind eye to the fate of cats that AC will come and collect
- Most TNR groups only 'work' with ferals, not strays. That doesn't make them the villain.... they have a big enough mandate as it is, eh?
In other words ..... its inhumane not to feed them.... but its not humane to feed them without getting them fixed. Most of them don't have the survival skills to manage on their own, but there are rarely any 'slots' open for them with any rescue or group.
I'm just a middle aged granny, but it seems to me that strays would be better protected in the short term if:
- cat adoption incentives were more commonly used, such as two for one adoption fees, smaller fees for more mature kitties ( in adoption speak anyone over three), things like Tabby cat tuesdays, Black cat fridays .... etc
- more Cat only off site adoption fairs.... groups have done this have found they are quieter and adopters have a better chance of staying long enough to fall in love without any barking
- wide promotion of early age spay neuter could 'nip things in the bud' as early as this season's kittens. ( unlike low cost spay neuter, this could be successfully promoted at all vet clinics), and of course, last but not least,
- if our new NDP government is looking for a low cost way to help the animals, they could pass a law prohibiting the traffic of living sentient beings in free online ad sites. Yeah, yeah, I know that CFHS has this fancy new partnership with Kijijii, but here in the real world that doesn't change a thing. Such a law would be consumer protection legislation and make it more difficult to find a pet 'no questions' asked.
What time is it? While it is time to recognize the value of the long term plans that are being laid now, its also time to implement the things that can be done in the interim.
PS ...in the really short term .... if anyone has space to foster a stray mother cat with two 2-3 week old kittens, please email me at the webmaster link
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