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Originally posted by newcovenant
reply to post by cloudyday
There are various trap and release programs already. I don't think as a general rule releasing anything into the wild for any reason other than they belong there is a good idea. We cannot change eco systems randomly and every time we try we end up making matters much worse. Would it also be a good idea to spay and neuter dogs and then re-release them back into the wild? Not really. Besides, there is no "wild" left.
Originally posted by oggleboggle47
reply to post by cloudyday
There are already millions of feral cats in the US, and they are already decimating wild bird populations. Adding more cats to the mix will only make things worse. Also, there are feline diseases that cats usually aren't vaccinated for- FIP is a terrible disease without a reliable vaccine. On top of all that, increasing the already massive population of feral cats will just increase their competition for resources, such as food, water, and shelter, which would make their tough lives even harder. So, releasing more cats to the huge feral cat population would just make things worse, IMO.
Unfortunately, a lot of irresponsible people adopt animals and abandon them without having them spayed or neutered. This adds to the huge number of feral cats, and puts a lot of unlucky animals in shelters that are short on resources to care for them. The only option a lot of those places have is to euthanize perfectly healthy pets. I hate that this happens; it really makes me sick because I've always loved animals. Sadly, the problem will continue if people keep adopting pets without realizing the responsibility that comes with them.edit on 16-2-2012 by oggleboggle47 because: wanted to add something
Originally posted by snowspirit
I've heard of various veterinarians from various areas doing this. It's helpful, and they make sure that if they take them from a certain area, they are returned to that exact area.
We don't have tons and tons of wild cats in Canada, as far as I know, and they don't destroy our bird population, because they have so many mice and other rodents. They also have their own natural predators, which keeps the population down too.
Originally posted by IkNOwSTuff
There are small localised programmes here in some parts of Malaysia that catch feral/stray/abandoned cats, desex, vaccinate, deworm them etc etc then take them back where they found them.
Its not ideal but its better than destroying them.
To drop a domesticated cat out somewhere its chances of survival would be slim and in my opinion just cruel
Originally posted by SweetKarma
I have 2 adopted ferals I adopted as 4 week old kittens, 1 rescue from a breeder, and 1 stray that had been out well over 2 years in the wild and had become quite feral. All are healthy and happy, with the exception of an FIV+ male, who we aren't worried about spreading the disease as he is quite gentle and doesn't like to fight. They also stay inside at all times.
Cats that are outside cats have a life expectancy of about 2-3 years. Indoor cats can live their entire lifespan of some 15-20 years.
I have participated in spay/neuter/release programs, and in the end, it makes for healthier cats. The females aren't having litter after litter, the males aren't fighting as much. This in return not only reduces the population overall, but the population that does exist is healthier. Only one kitten per litter on average survives in the wild.
SK