Feral cat problem

We do have the occasional hawk in the city. Rare to see a stray dog due
to strict leash laws. Didn't know Roundup was a threat but even I'm
choking when the lawn companies come round spraying those chemicals.

Poisoned rats would be dangerous (not sure we have a rat problem).
I could tell horror stories about the "teen age boys".

But what's this about snails????
- Pon

Fan belts- I think of that every time I get into the car. Have to look
under it too, esp. as the weather gets cold!

The dogs have had to get a lepto booster (2 shots/yr. now) because of
increased risk. Wonder if cats can contract West NIle from birds they've
brought down.

This is the 1st yr. my dogs have had fleas in 8 yrs, prob. because the
yard is constantly reinfested by the cats.

Ok, I'm just thinking out loud... Wonder if after TNR they're just as
likely to perpetuate these particular problems.
Thank you all!

I've got research to do before I punk down a big hunk of change on traps
for the TNR.
- Pon

Pon o wrote:
We do have the occasional hawk in the city. Rare to see a stray dog
due to strict leash laws. Didn't know Roundup was a threat but even
I'm choking when the lawn companies come round spraying those
chemicals.

Poisoned rats would be dangerous (not sure we have a rat problem).
I could tell horror stories about the "teen age boys".

But what's this about snails????
- Pon

Cats will eat snails.... Especially hungry feral cats. - They will eat
anything thet moves. Snails are frequently poisoned by zealous gardiners....
So, anything that is poisoned and moves is a hazard to cats. And people. I
had a friend who ate garden snails. He would put them in a terrariam for a
week or more first, and feed them cornmeal to make sure they weren't
poisoned before he killed them, cleaned them, and ate them. They are a lot
of work, but they sure are good... (when you put that much butter and garlic
on anything, it tasts good)

Pon o wrote:
Fan belts- I think of that every time I get into the car. Have to
look under it too, esp. as the weather gets cold!

The dogs have had to get a lepto booster (2 shots/yr. now) because of
increased risk. Wonder if cats can contract West NIle from birds
they've brought down.

This is the 1st yr. my dogs have had fleas in 8 yrs, prob. because the
yard is constantly reinfested by the cats.

Ok, I'm just thinking out loud... Wonder if after TNR they're just as
likely to perpetuate these particular problems.
Thank you all!

I've got research to do before I punk down a big hunk of change on
traps for the TNR.
- Pon

I've been told that cat fleas and dog fleas are different,and one won't
bother with the other. I know that cat fleas are very small.... They are
difficult to see with the naked eye.

I've got research to do before I punk down a big hunk of change on traps

for the TNR.


Pon, you should not have to buy traps if you don't want to. I trapped and got a neighborhood feral spayed this spring, and borrowed a trap from the local humane society. I had to put down a deposit of $40, which I got back after returning it.

I am sorry you had the terrible experience with your finger! However, if you use a live trap and cover it with a blanket when transporting, you won't need to touch the cats at all.

Thank you for wanting to help.
Rene

On Mon, 15 Oct 2012 07:29:04 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:



I've got research to do before I punk down a big hunk of change on traps

for the TNR.


Pon, you should not have to buy traps if you don't want to. I trapped and got a neighborhood feral spayed this spring, and borrowed a trap from the local humane society. I had to put down a deposit of $40, which I got back after returning it.

I am sorry you had the terrible experience with your finger! However, if you use a live trap and cover it with a blanket when transporting, you won't need to touch the cats at all.

Thank you for wanting to help.
Rene


Most livetraps I have used / seen have a plate under / around the
handle so you can not get bit.

On Sat, 13 Oct 2012 19:31:52 -0700, "Bill Graham"
wrote:

Pon o wrote:
Fan belts- I think of that every time I get into the car. Have to
look under it too, esp. as the weather gets cold!

The dogs have had to get a lepto booster (2 shots/yr. now) because of
increased risk. Wonder if cats can contract West NIle from birds
they've brought down.

This is the 1st yr. my dogs have had fleas in 8 yrs, prob. because the
yard is constantly reinfested by the cats.

Ok, I'm just thinking out loud... Wonder if after TNR they're just as
likely to perpetuate these particular problems.
Thank you all!

I've got research to do before I punk down a big hunk of change on
traps for the TNR.
- Pon

I've been told that cat fleas and dog fleas are different,and one won't
bother with the other. I know that cat fleas are very small.... They are
difficult to see with the naked eye.


It's been a very bad flea year here in the east coast. My cats had
fleas though it looks like I might have wiped them out. We haven't had
fleas in over 16 years - I know because that's when I bought the house
and we haven't had them since I moved in.

After TNR the cats won't roam as far so they are less likely to pick
them up. Plus you can give them the flea treatment while you have them
either trapped or under sedation so they can start out clean.

There is a national group called Alley Cat Allies. Their headquarters
is in Maryland, but they have people all over the country to advise
and help with feral cats. Here is the URL of their FAQ

http://www.alleycat.org/page.aspx?pid=924

In the FAQ:
You can also find local help with our Feral Friends Network. Request a
list of Feral Friends in your area using our Email Assistance Form.
The Feral Friends Network is a nationwide database of individuals,
organizations, and veterinarians who can provide guidance about Trap-
Neuter-Return, borrowing equipment, and obtaining affordable neuter
services for feral cats.

That form is at http://www.alleycat.org/page.aspx?pid=444

They don't come out and solve the problem, but they can help, advise,
and give guidance on what the best thing to do and may be able to
connect with someone in your area who has experience. They are TNR
(Trap, Neuter, Release) Advocates and have a lot of information about
spay/neuter clinics around the country.

I hope this is of some help.

Debbie


On Oct 11, 5:25*pm, (Pon o) wrote:
Hi,
I've never posted here before. Thought someone might have at least an
idea for a long-term solution.

There must be 30 - 40 feral cats/kittens in one city block, crying,
fighting, getting killed in traffic, caught in trees, injured, sick,
etc. etc.

I understand that this is a growing problem throughout many states.

I've phoned & spoke with with the local SPCA, cat rescues, the DEC, city
animal control. The list could go on almost endlessly.

I'd like to be part of the solution but don't know where to find ideas.
Does anybody have thoughts on this?
TIA,
Pon

On Thu, 11 Oct 2012 22:35:17 -0400, (Pon o)
wrote:

"Trap, neuter, and release is one
"solution". At least, a partial solution.
You can help either by donating money
to organizations who do this, or catch
your own feral cat, have him/her
neutered, and release him back where
you caught him. (when we do this, we
usually end up owning another cat)."
Ok, thanks! That's what one local cat org. is doing. But they rely on
private donations since there is no legislation/no funding, concerning
domestic cats, feral or not, in the state of NY (& other states as
well).

For all their good intentions, this expensive neuter/release program is
a drop in the bucket. Donations are scarce; cats' lifespans are short
because of disease, traffic, starvation. frigid winters, & this
summer--drought! It's heartbreaking to see what these animals go
through.

So I guess there is no good & lasting solution?

Do you expect this to be a growing problem in the future? I don't
remember feral cats being a problem until a few yrs. ago.
Thanks,
- Pon

Oh, if you're in New York City get in touch with Neighborhood Cats
(www.neighborhoodcats.org). They have classes in how to do TNR (I'm a
graduate) and it helps a lot to know the ins and outs. Someone in my
neighborhood asked me how to deal with the cats, I told her to take
the class, and she just did around 15 cats on her block. Pretty
amazing work. Once you take the class, the ASPCA will do the neutering
for free, otherwise it's $100 per cat.

But it still does look like a growing problem even though TNR is a
good solution. I think a lot of cats got dumped when folks were losing
their homes and it seems to have upped the population. There sure are
a lot of cats around though.

On Fri, 19 Oct 2012 09:19:39 -0400, dgk wrote:

On Thu, 11 Oct 2012 22:35:17 -0400, (Pon o)
wrote:

"Trap, neuter, and release is one
"solution". At least, a partial solution.
You can help either by donating money
to organizations who do this, or catch
your own feral cat, have him/her
neutered, and release him back where
you caught him. (when we do this, we
usually end up owning another cat)."
Ok, thanks! That's what one local cat org. is doing. But they rely on
private donations since there is no legislation/no funding, concerning
domestic cats, feral or not, in the state of NY (& other states as
well).

For all their good intentions, this expensive neuter/release program is
a drop in the bucket. Donations are scarce; cats' lifespans are short
because of disease, traffic, starvation. frigid winters, & this
summer--drought! It's heartbreaking to see what these animals go
through.

So I guess there is no good & lasting solution?

Do you expect this to be a growing problem in the future? I don't
remember feral cats being a problem until a few yrs. ago.
Thanks,
- Pon

Oh, if you're in New York City get in touch with Neighborhood Cats
(www.neighborhoodcats.org). They have classes in how to do TNR (I'm a
graduate) and it helps a lot to know the ins and outs. Someone in my
neighborhood asked me how to deal with the cats, I told her to take
the class, and she just did around 15 cats on her block. Pretty
amazing work. Once you take the class, the ASPCA will do the neutering
for free, otherwise it's $100 per cat.

But it still does look like a growing problem even though TNR is a
good solution. I think a lot of cats got dumped when folks were losing
their homes and it seems to have upped the population. There sure are
a lot of cats around though.


http://tinyurl.com/8k7l4cd

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