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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
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FAQ: What is a
feral cat? CAT in
Action: You
can help: Join us Governance: By-Laws and Policies |
What is a feral cat? Feral cats are the offspring
of stray or abandoned pet cats, raised without close human contact. They
typically live in colonies where food and shelter are available. What is a trap-neuter-release program? With trap-neuter-release (TNR)
programs, cats are humanely trapped and neutered so that they won't
contribute to the growth of the cat population, and they are provided with
other necessary veterinary care. Upon recovery, the cats are released back
into their colony. Colony caregivers then provide them with food and water
daily, and monitor their numbers and health. Why TNR? Studies have shown that
controlling feral/stray cat populations through ‘trap and kill' programs are very
ineffective and costly. In addition, they are widely felt to be inhumane.
When feral/stray cats are removed from their colonies and euthanized, those
left behind become more fertile and reproduce to fill the territory vacated
by those removed. Removal programs must therefore be constantly repeated. To
help better deal with feral/stray cat overpopulation, many communities in TNR is considered to be the
most humane and economical solution to the problem of feral and stray cat
overpopulation by experts such as the American
Veterinary Medical Association, American Humane Association,
Humane Society of the United States,
and the Cat Fanciers' Association. TNR
helps to stabilize and maintain healthy feral/stray cat colonies with the
least possible cost to local governments and residents, while providing a
better life for the animals themselves. Benefits of a TNR program
include: ·
Stabilization
of feral/stray cat populations ·
Reduction
of problematic behavior such as fighting, spraying, howling, predation of
native wildlife ·
Reduction
in the spread of disease (rabies, distemper, feline immunodeficiency virus,
feline leukemia) ·
Reduction
of stress amongst feral/stray cat populations resulting from fighting and
pregnancy ·
Allowing
feral/stray cats to live out their natural lifespan in good health ·
Fostering
of compassion in neighbourhoods ·
Reduction
of costs to taxpayers and humane societies. TNR programs are less costly than
repeated attempts at euthanization or housing of feral or stray cats at a humane
society. Who is the Cat Action Team? The Cat Action Team (CAT) of
Prince Edward Island (PEI) is an all-volunteer registered charitable
organization working to care for and control the feral and stray cat
population throughout the province. CAT was founded in November 2000 in Our
goals are:
How does the CAT
program work? TNR Feral or stray cats are caught using a
humane box trap. Once trapped, cats are brought to a veterinary clinic and are
surgically spayed or neutered, and are also tested for disease, vaccinated,
treated for parasites, and tattooed for later recognition. In an effort to
protect the health of the stray and feral cat population, cats who test
positive for feline immunodeficiency (FIV) or feline leukemia (FeLV) are
humanely euthanized. Veterinary care is provided by private veterinary
clinics and by volunteer veterinarians and students at the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC). Costs for veterinary care at
the AVC are currently funded by grants from the Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre.
CAT also receives a grant from the Pegasus Family Foundation, and financial
support from Pegasus for a "Five for Fridays" Feral Cat Neuter
Clinic at the AVC. CAT pays a discounted rate or approximately $100 per cat
at private clinics. There is currently a waiting list of over 400 cats who
are waiting to go through CAT's TNR program. Colony care The Cat Action Team also
operates a Colony Care Program, which goes hand-in-hand with our TNR program.
CAT is contacted by members of the public who are concerned about stray and
feral cats in their area. An initial assessment of the area is done to ensure
that it is a safe location for the cats. However, relocation of cats is kept
to a minimum as there is usually no alternative area to place the cats. CAT
then forms partnerships with those citizens who are willing to act as
"caregiver" for a group of feral and stray cats, or a
"colony". A caregiver agrees to provide the cats with food and
water daily, and to monitor the health and numbers of the cats in the colony.
In exchange, CAT provides caregivers with supplies of cat food, and with a
wooden shelter and straw bedding, if necessary. Also, cats in the colony are
enrolled in the TNR program as soon as possible. CAT remains in contact with
caregivers to provide assistance as necessary. Other programs The Cat Action Team also provides limited emergency veterinary care for stray and feral cats who are injured or ill, and an informal adoption network for kittens and tame adult stray cats. |
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For more
information about the Cat Action Team, contact the president. |
