Sunday, July 06, 2008
Alley Cat Angels are on the right track
From the RoundTable blog
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Victoria Brownell
Brownell, of Troutville, is a volunteer for several animal rescue groups in the Roanoke Valley. She was a board member of the Guilford County, N.C., shelter.
I encourage those who read Jane Raymond's letter regarding feral cat clinics ("Don't release feral cats back onto the streets," June 30) to reference Alleycat.org for comprehensive information on Trap-Neuter-Release. It will shed light on the mission of Alley Cat Angels and promote an understanding of what the clinic is attempting to accomplish.
It explains why previous attempts to eradicate this population of cats have failed. Many U.S. cities are embracing TNR as the most viable option for feral cats. TNR stabilizes colony numbers, decreases free-roaming cats, decreases behavioral problems associated with mating (fighting, spraying and noise) and provides for adoption of tameable kittens.
Raymond could have investigated and found that the clinic accepts cats from designated caregivers. These cats are well known to individuals bringing them to the clinic; these people sign forms declaring themselves responsible for ongoing care of the cats. Caretakers feed cats daily and monitor for any health issues.
This is a different situation than that of a scared cat that has been lost. Rest assured these people are not setting traps in an attempt to trap a pet cat that happens to be out for fresh air.
Until this clinic opened, caretakers had no place to take these cats for vaccines and spay/neuter services. The vets who donate their time to this endeavor would be quick to share statistics they have compiled about caretakers and origins of the colonies.
Euthanasia is an unfortunate and necessary practice in animal shelters/pounds. Shelters are overcrowded, and companion animals meet that fate if they are deemed unadoptable because of age, illness or behavioral problems. I understand that, but feral cats are a distinctly different population.
Since Raymond is a trained attendant, I believe the clinic would be happy to have her volunteer to familiarize herself with services provided. Perhaps Raymond would gain some insight into the plight of this underserved population of cats. I appreciate her right to an opinion, but I am sorry that she attempts to use her title at the Roanoke Valley SPCA to promote her personal feelings as authoritative.
