BC SPCA Operational Bulletin #12A
Feral Cats, Neuter and Release Programs

Distribution:
All Branches & Agents

Date of Issue:
January 1994

The meaning of feral is described in the dictionary as: 1: of, relating to, or suggestive of a wild beast : SAVAGE 2 a : not domesticated or cultivated : WILD b : having escaped from domestication and become wild. In the case of feral cats having escaped from domestication and become wild, is the meaning we will subscribe to, realizing that the length of time since becoming wild may vary greatly from cat to cat and even from colony to colony.

As it has taken thousands of years of domestication by humans to domesticate the cat, it follows that a cat "gone wild" is not the same as a wild animal. Feral cats often locate themselves close to people in order to aid their survival and they do of course, benefit from humans. Their close proximity to people often causes them to become a "problem". Fighting, caterwauling, cat urine and feces, dead animals, animals in poor condition and more, all lead to complaints and requests to control these types of situations.

Since the early 1970's, attempts have been made at neutering entire colonies of feral cats and keeping those colonies in tact by providing a constant food supply. As of late, there are a considerable number of Animal Rescue Groups in North America that do this very thing.

Cats are caught, usually in a box trap, medicated if necessary, vaccinated and released in the same area. The theory behind this program is that these animals will no longer reproduce and the colony will remain stable. Volunteers, known as feeders, are then organized who provide the animals with their regular supply of food.

A method like this might indeed be a humane way of dealing with this problem. However, the following criteria must be met in order for such a program to be classified as humane. The first requirement calls for someone who not only attends to the animal's food requirements but also to their medical needs. Secondly, the cats should be located in an area away from roads, predators or people who would harm them. Finally, the animal should be in an area where the weather is constantly temperate. To satisfy all of these needs may not be impossible, but will generally be extremely impractical.

Neuter and release programs are attracted to many groups and individuals because of the no kill aspect. The question that must be asked is what happens to the animal after release and is this the best solution for the individual cat.

There is much evidence to suggest that this may not be the case as released animals will still end up in fights, be attacked by predators, suffer from motor vehicle injuries and numerous other unkind situations, such as "target practice" by kids with BB guns, firearms, etc. There is little doubt that other cats will somehow migrate and find their way into the colony. Cats do not defend their territory to the degree that they prevent new cats from entering it. People wanting to dispose of their cats but unable to find homes, may use the colony as a drop off and prefer this "solution to the problem" over the death of the animal.

Our organization is based on animal welfare and does not prohibit the killing of animals if that is the only solution. In fact, a quick and painless death is better than a slow and painful death, as experienced by some feral animals that are neutered and released to fend for themselves.

As with so many other animal related issues, the solution lies in education. Feeding feral cats may be perceived as very kind and for some individual cats, no doubt, is very kind, however, in doing so, perpetuates a problem. Dumping or abandoning cats, is also part of the problem and the public must be made aware that domesticated and feral cats do need human support and cannot fend for themselves.

Until this message sinks in we are still looked upon to find homes or if no homes can be found to euthanize the animals. Neuter and release programs, sometimes referred to as neuter and abandon programs by opponents, do prevent kittens from being born, in addition to providing the colony with food. The real solution is found when these animals are tamed and are placed with new and caring owners.