A catch and release program for feral cats?

The province's chief veterinarian stepped into the debate in Prince Rupert over feral cats and dangerous dogs this week, advising local residents that while their hearts may be in the right place, they aren't helping the situation by feeding the increasing number of feral cats that wander the city.

As part of the information session, Dr. James Lawson said that if a proper sterilization and vaccination program is put in place the city will need to trap and sterilize 90 per cent of each cat colony.

The Daily News provided complete details on the thoughts of the doctor as well as the concerns raised by the public at the open meeting.

SPCA's TOP VET CALLS ON CAT LOVERS TO STOP FEEDING FERALS
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Friday, October 05, 2007
Pages one and three

People who are feeding the feral cats that populate the alleys and dark corners of Prince Rupert are only increasing the suffering of these animals, said the chief veterinarian for the B.C. SPCA.
Speaking at a meeting about feral cats and dangerous dogs, Dr. James Lawson said people may feel a desire to "feed these poor, wretched souls," but, without sterilization and vaccination, it is not helping.

The city is considering a bylaw to deal with the feral cat problem and has proposed three solutions - doing nothing, trapping and euthanizing and trapping, sterilizing and releasing.
Lawson said that if the city's proceeds with a trap and release program, it will need to trap and sterilize 90 per cent of the population within each cat colony.

"This is only the answer if it is done correctly," he said.

In addition, those cats that have been sterilized need to be easily identifiable either through a clipped ear or tag.

Dr. Paul Kennedy of the Pacific Coast Veterinary Hospital said the number of abandoned/feral cats has increased since the downturn in the economy.

"People call me and say their neighbours have moved, they have been gone for four days, but the cats are still there," said Dr. Kennedy.

He also believes more can be done for the feral cats that are in good health, by having them brought in and sterilized and vaccinated. Those in really poor health should be relieved of their suffering and euthanized.

If a bylaw is brought in to licence cats, he said the city should use any money collected to deal with the feral cat situation.

"I don't want to see that money go into general revenue."

In addition, both Lawson and Kennedy encouraged people to be responsible pet owners, to have their cats spayed or neutered and to have outdoor cats properly identified through tattoos or microchips so they can be returned if they get lost.

"I don't think domestic cats should be contained. If they are licensed, they should be identified and if they are spayed or neutered there should be a lower cost for the license," Kennedy said.
A shelter worker for the SPCA agreed with the need for cat identification. She related the story of Mario the cat. Mario spent a year in the shelter, taking up space, food and supplies, before his owner found him because he did not have a tattoo.

Currently, the city has no limit on the number of cats a person may own.

A number of people at the meeting complained about having their gardens overrun by cats, either domestic or feral, while others noted feral cats have an enormous impact on the local bird population.

Ken Shaw presented a study that showed worldwide cats have been involved in the extinction of more bird species than any other cause.

He suggested the city tell people to keep their cats indoors.