ICOSA
More on Feral Cats
RECEIVED Wed., March 30, 2005
Dear Editor,
Thanks so much for publishing the article “City Searches for a Feral Cat Fix” [News, March 25]! As a participant in SpayAustin, Black Cat Rescue, and several other groups that carry out feral cat TNR in Austin and environs, I am grateful to the Chronicle for bringing this information to light. However, there were a few statements in the article that I disagree with.
First, the number of feral cats in Austin and environs is estimated by Central Texas Cat Hospital, Shadow Cats, and Black Cat Rescue as between 500,000 and 1 million rather than the somewhat more optimistic figure of 150,000 cited in your article.
Second, SpayAustin does not yet have nonprofit status. However, prospective donors can rest assured that 100% of their donations to this group will go to benefit animals. More information about SpayAustin can be obtained at www.spayaustin.com or by leaving a message at 512/417-8673.
Third, while it is true that more than half of the kittens born to feral cats die before reaching one year of age, not all feral kittens are "scrawny and diseased" – at least not to the point that they can't be rehabilitated and placed as pets. Many people who do feral TNR routinely take potentially adoptable kittens out of feral colonies and work hard to place them as pets.
And finally, it is important to note that the No. 1 reason feral cats exist is human abandonment. Not only is having a pet a lifetime commitment, but a big part of the pet owner’s responsibility is controlling the fertility of their pets.
These comments in no way diminish my gratitude to you for publishing this overall excellent article. The Austin feral cat community needs all the help it can get.
Thanks so much for publishing the article “City Searches for a Feral Cat Fix” [News, March 25]! As a participant in SpayAustin, Black Cat Rescue, and several other groups that carry out feral cat TNR in Austin and environs, I am grateful to the Chronicle for bringing this information to light. However, there were a few statements in the article that I disagree with.
First, the number of feral cats in Austin and environs is estimated by Central Texas Cat Hospital, Shadow Cats, and Black Cat Rescue as between 500,000 and 1 million rather than the somewhat more optimistic figure of 150,000 cited in your article.
Second, SpayAustin does not yet have nonprofit status. However, prospective donors can rest assured that 100% of their donations to this group will go to benefit animals. More information about SpayAustin can be obtained at www.spayaustin.com or by leaving a message at 512/417-8673.
Third, while it is true that more than half of the kittens born to feral cats die before reaching one year of age, not all feral kittens are "scrawny and diseased" – at least not to the point that they can't be rehabilitated and placed as pets. Many people who do feral TNR routinely take potentially adoptable kittens out of feral colonies and work hard to place them as pets.
And finally, it is important to note that the No. 1 reason feral cats exist is human abandonment. Not only is having a pet a lifetime commitment, but a big part of the pet owner’s responsibility is controlling the fertility of their pets.
These comments in no way diminish my gratitude to you for publishing this overall excellent article. The Austin feral cat community needs all the help it can get.
Carol A. Adams
Black Cat Rescue, SpayAustin, and the City of Austin Animal Advisory Commission
Black Cat Rescue, SpayAustin, and the City of Austin Animal Advisory Commission
[Editor's note: The 150,000 estimate for feral cats referred to Austin, not all of Central Texas (or "Austin and environs").]