Trap; Euthanize Feral Cats - Says Top US Veterinarian

A Top Veterinarian’s Perspective on the Feral Cat Issue

By ABA, on March 27, 2013

At the Mic: Brian Monk

Brian Monk is a veterinarian, birder, photographer, and professional orchid grower and lecturer. He received his DVM from Virginia Tech in 1997 and currently resides in Ft. Lauderdale, Floirida, with his wife Mary-Margaret and his 5 rescued cats. 

 Let me make myself perfectly clear:  I love cats. I am a veterinarian, quite a few of my patients are cats, and I count five of them as my pets. I believe that cats have an inherent value to us, both as living things and as companions. I also love birds, and have been watching them before I was old enough to know what they were. Without question, birds also have inherent value, both to our planet and our hobby. My position as both a birder and a veterinarian lends me a unique perspective about the current controversy surrounding feral cats, and the various solutions offered up to address this issue.

A recent study has determined that 1.4-3.7 billion birds are killed by feral cats per year, and its publication has pitted wildlife conservation groups against feline advocacy groups. The controversy centers around the most important question, “What is the
solution to this problem of cat overpopulation?” The only thing that these two groups seem to agree on is that feral cat overpopulation exists.

Feral cats lead short and brutal lives. Kittens suffer a 50-75% mortality rate.  Disease is prevalent in feral cat populations, as expected.  They are plagued with parasitism by various worms, arthropods, and protozoa; viral diseases like Feline Leukemia, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, Herpes, Distemper, and Rabies; bacterial infections such as Toxoplasmosis, and Haemobartonellosis. Traumatic injury is common. Feral cats suffer....

Doctor's Professional Comprehensive Conclusions

This problem of feral cats is a difficult one. Although it is only a part of the greater question of avian conservation, it is obviously an important part. Further, it seems to be a part where real progress could be made, with benefits that are not so vague as biodiversity for biodiversity’s sake.

 Improving feline health in general, while keeping our precious wildlife safe, is a noble goal, that we can only approach ignobly. Feral cats exist because of man’s ego and carelessness. But TNR does not adequately address the issue. It does not ease feline suffering or eliminate feline predation on our wildlife to a point that is acceptable, to me as a veterinarian and a conservationist, or to anyone else who considers the facts. 

 As difficult as it may be, the elimination of feral cats via Trap and Euthanasia is the only truly viable solution.

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TNR for Feral Cats is Horribly Cruel and Only Makes People Feel Better

Feral Cats are Invasive Species

Manqsquan, NJ - -(AmmoLand.com)- There has been much made of the supposed “Positive Results” of Trap Neuter and Release (TNR). What proponents fail to mention is that Feral Cats are not outside pets and suffer horribly from the lack of food, water, shelter and regular medical care while living outside exposed to the elements.

The number of feral cats suffering under the guise of TNR is staggering. It is estimated that the township of Jackson, NJ has 1000+ feral cats, while Point Pleasant Beach NJ Animal Welfare Committee estimates there are some 200 -300 feral cats in Pt Beach, NJ alone.

The popularity of TNR programs has been put forward as an acceptable solution by animal rights extremist organizations.

Under the guidance of radical NO-Kill groups, whose admitted goal is equal rights for animal and humans, they have been promoting TNR as a way to prevent the euthanization of cats and pushing forward their “Feel Good” policy of keeping animals alive at all cost.

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Animal Rights Extremists 

 Urban Terrorists or Kooks???