Spay and Neuter Release Ferals Program - Page 2

ennui1 · ‎06-23-2013

On 1/8/2014 LipstickDiva said:
I think what the OP is getting at is people spay or neuter an animal and release it back out and then it is stuck out in weather like we've been having which could kill them?

How do wild animals survive? No one brings the squirrels indoors.

ccassaday · ‎10-21-2010

We do this catch and release where I live and it eventually brings the population down.

Rununculus · ‎08-12-2013

Trap neuter and release is a very good strategy for ferals. Ferals can quickly multiply into groups of 2-3 dozen cats, and cannot always be brought indoors as pets. Making a shelter/bed in cold climates is a good idea.

I've done cat rescue for years and 3 of my 5 cats started as ferals, two of them are complete cuddle muffins now and the third is too skittery to be picked up but likes to be petted and is having a wonderful life indoors where he and his compadres are safe.

Feral cats can be tamed, the younger they are the easier, but TNR is MUCH more humane than doing nothing at all, because one cat can literally multiply into thousands during their lifetime.

ETA - a lot of people think ferals are vicious. None of mine has ever had a mean bone in their bodies, they just get frightened.

Lipstickdiva · ‎03-10-2010

On 1/8/2014 ennui1 said:
On 1/8/2014 LipstickDiva said:
I think what the OP is getting at is people spay or neuter an animal and release it back out and then it is stuck out in weather like we've been having which could kill them?

How do wild animals survive? No one brings the squirrels indoors. ${#emotions_dlg.rolleyes}$

I've always figured animals who are used to be out doors all the time have a natural instinct to know what to do to keep warm. A domesticated animal like a dog or most cats don't have that.

I know my friends has a stray cat that roams her yard and she trapped it and brought it in Sunday night so it wouldn't die out in the cold. When the weather warms up, she'll release him back out.

I cannot imagine anyone being stupid enough to leave a domestic animal out in what we've been having but I know there are some. There were stories on the news about people being ticketed for animal cruelty. I feel the same way about leaving animals out in extreme heat as well.

mimi5775 · ‎03-10-2010

On 1/8/2014 Vamp said:
I haven't seen any feral cats around my home, but I was just made aware of this idea the other day. For those of you who take care of ferals, you can make an inexpensive shelter for them out of an old Styrofoam cooler. Google for more ideas.

This is a great idea for short-term cold weather strays...ty for sharing.

My Nicky went to Heaven 4/15/2018
I love & miss him so very much. God Bless him and all mom's who ahve lost

Lipstickdiva · ‎03-10-2010

On 1/8/2014 jaxs mom said:
Ferals are not the same as abandoned pets. Those are two separate issues. The whole point of TNR ( trap neuter release) is to reduce the amount of ferals by stopping them breeding. You can try and catch the kittens and socialize them and find them homes but true feral cats are not just someones ex pet. They aren't socialized to humans, and once they are over about 6-8 weeks it just gets harder to sometimes impossible to socialize them and turn them into house cats. At which point the only choice is to let them live outside, usually in a colony with other ferals or put them down. Most of these cats are not tamable. A few of them are though if they were exposed to humans young enough and someone has the patience and facility to keep them and socialize them. It's a ton of work.

I know they are two separate issues but I was bringing up the fact that because we have such a huge stray cat issue in my area, many people trap the strays, spay/neuter them and release them. Rescue groups, APL and kennels are absolutely full and can't take anymore. In order for some kennels to take on anyone they'd have to kill one. The only other option would be to trap them and have them euthanized.

My sister has tons of strays in her yard (because she feeds them) and they aren't feral. They will come right into her house if she leaves the door open, you can pet them, etc. Anyhow, she went on a mission to get them all taken care of so they don't keep reproducing.

memyselfandI · ‎03-21-2010

A favor? Who knows. But I spay/neuter and release and the cats that we have in our neighborhood are fed and protected (and I live in northern Minn). We provide shelter and food and warm clean drinking water - even in the cold. No, it is far from ideal. What would be ideal would be if idiots out there would STOP bringing animals to us to dump because we are in the country and these stupid people think that out in the wild they can take care of themselves. I have found homes for over a dozen kittens that these ferals have had. If you get them young you can tame them. The ferals that I feed and protect will NEVER become tame. They have been too abused, scared and betrayed to ever trust again. I know, I have been working with one little girl for almost 5 years. I can now get within 5 feet of her but that is it. I would love to see her in the lap of a nice person in a warm house but we all know, that isn't going to happen. However, since her spay and release she is not having 2 or 3 litters a year. That makes her healthier too. We do what we can. She has a very very thick coat and that helps. She, like the other ferals, is a wild animal. Nature does help out and we fill in the rest. In return, I have NO mice in my house or even near my house. So that helps me too.

sipp · ‎03-10-2010

On 1/8/2014 ennui1 said:
On 1/8/2014 LipstickDiva said:
I think what the OP is getting at is people spay or neuter an animal and release it back out and then it is stuck out in weather like we've been having which could kill them?

How do wild animals survive? No one brings the squirrels indoors. ${#emotions_dlg.rolleyes}$

Ennui-what a "cute" )NOT!) and stupid remark!! -- Cats and Dogs were domesticated many many years ago-it human fault and ignorance that think they can now fend for themselves. Even ferals came from most domestic breeds--- it's misplaced conceptions that they should "be let out at night". Do you realize the disease and fleas they can then bring into your home if you do that? Ferals can't help their existence but they still go in gardens, sandboxes etc. where children play- they climb on cars, they scratch the surface and sometimes are unfortunate to get caught up in the inside of the vehicle when it gets started. They get run over by vehicles. They get into fights. And who's to blame?

They don't deserve that treatment (or lack thereof). Check out their lifespans- How would you like to be out in sub-zero weather with no shelter, no warmth, scrounging for food. Average lifespan for ferals is a heck of alot shorter and considering the miserable conditions they live under-as stated "there is no easy answer". Except for humans to finally take responsibility. Catch and release programs are well- intentioned- to control population- but look at the picture.

That styrofoam box is probably better than nothing---will keep the snow and wind off but it is heated? Is euthanizing humane? I don't have the answers-I just wanted to put this picture out there. People here need to be responsible!! Even pedigree dogs contribute to over-population- those breeders that are making money off their pure-breds- maybe should be limited at least..there are pedigreed cats and dogs that end up in shelters because people just don't THINKand some don't care. And then the mixed get tossed by the side of the road-- figuratively and literally.

Newshound · ‎03-10-2010

I have alot of experience with spay and neuter programs -every one that I know of also creates shelters and feeding stations -the populations definitely stabilize. What exactly are you -OP ,doing to help homeless animals that is more humane? I have first hand experience with this-these cats that I know about are not trapped ,spayed ,neutered ,and released to just fend for themselves alone.

sipp · ‎03-10-2010

I volunteer at 2 rescue shelters- we often discuss this situation- you are lucky you have the money/resources to followup on your programs- we are in a big city- we are totally dependent on donations- and the kind hearts of veterinarians who provide lower costs or no cost spay and neutering. There is just not enough room to provide shelter and food for the many (cats,-especially) and dogs. We rely on pets stores and private donations for the food as well. Our temps are below zero these nights. There is simply not enough of us to foster all the animals that ignorant people have loosed on the streets. Aren't you lucky that you do have the resources!