EDITOR'S NOTE: Over the last six months or so, I've heard rumblings of a future county-wide registration program for household cats, and restrictions on feeding strays.
In the Miami Herald's Sunday Edition of Dec. 3, an article appeared in the Keys Section about the county's concern about feral cat colonies entitled "Colonies Supported as Feeding Ban Urged." The following is a response from Becky Barron Arnold, the director of Feline Manor and past president of Lower Keys Friends of Animals. Part II to come next Friday, Dec. 22.
Feral, stray, homeless, marginally owned. These are some of the terms used to describe cats that live in colonies throughout the Florida Keys.
With the recently increased popularity of cats as pets, there has been increased debate over finding a solution to the massive overpopulation of these animals and the outdoor "feral cat colonies."
Unfortunately cats, owned or unowned, are being seen by some misinformed groups as not only spreading disease, but devastating local wildlife. There have been quotes in local newspapers stating that cats are the number one reason for the decline in numbers of migratory birds.
These statements are not only untrue, there is no research to even suggest it. There has been no definitive study published to uphold these allegations.
Yes, cats do prey on small animals, whether fed or not-- they have an instinctive trigger to hunt.
But it has been proved over and over again that the overpopulation of humans and the destruction of habitat and pollution from pesticides, is by far the overwhelming cause of migratory bird population decline. These findings have been repeated by biologists and ornithologists worldwide.
Yes, cats make an impact, but so do we. There are solutions to this problem that can be carried out without killing all of the cats.
There has been recent discussion around the county about introducing a proposal to the county commission that would make outdoor feeding of cats illegal, or feeding of feral/unowned cats illegal.
Here are some questions for the proponents of such a proposal, and some predictions if such an inhumane idea should get enough support to pass into an ordinance:
Would you sleep well at night with an ordinance that just called for the inhumane cessation of outdoor cat feeding?
Where would the money come from to carry out a humane and effective trapping and euthanasia project? Hiring and training more employees, housing cats and humanely euthanising them as well as disposing of the bodies all carries an expense, an expense that can be as much as three times the cost of trapping, sterilizing, vaccinating and releasing.
What will happen if a treasured pet is inadvertently trapped and euthanized?
Where will the money come from to hire and train additional enforcement officers for animal control agencies to enforce the no-feed ordinance?
How will it be possible to catch all homeless cats in Monroe County? On a small (12x8-miles) isolated island off Africa it took 16 years to eradicate a colony of 2,500 cats, using a variety of methods-- including disease introduction, dogs, hunting and finally poison.
If it is against county ordinance to assist homeless colonies of cats then the local humane groups that work tirelessly at no expense to the county will no longer be involved in spaying and neutering and vaccinating for rabies, thousands of these cats each year. You can do the math. It will be a short time before the numbers of stray/feral cats that are the progeny of the few remaining, will be even higher than they are now.
Many local companion animal rescue veterans in Monroe County feel that people will still be feeding cats, they will just be going "underground"-- reluctant to call humane groups for help for fear of the cats being killed or getting themselves into trouble.
Let's work together for a humane solution to the pet overpopulation in our county, not have a knee-jerk reaction to bring about a perceived quick fix.
A project that has proved successful in many places is the trap, neuter, vaccinate and release program. This program can be very effective if simple rules are followed:
•All colonies are registered with the municipality.
•All cats are cared for each day, given fresh food and water, and no excess food is left behind to attract wildlife.
•All cats are spayed, neutered and vaccinated and have a notched ear to identify that they have been sterilized.
•All new tame cats and all kittens removed for adoption.
•All sick cats are removed and cared for or euthanized.
•Caretakers of the cat colonies can identify these cats.
The key to making this work is to get ALL people who care for cats to comply. Let's work together for a humane and sane solution to our homeless cat population here in the Keys.
Next Week: Becky Barron Arnold has some suggestions about what we as individuals can do to help.