In a country that invests more money annually on pet care related products and services I only come to one conclusion regarding the ambivalent attitude that exists concerning the well being and treatment of feral and homeless animals.

 A majority of the public must not realize the magnitude of the horrible circumstances feral and stray animals are faced with each day.  It is even sadder for stray cats and dogs in comparison to feral animals being these animals were once loved, had a home and now are on their own. A feral animal is a domestic animal that lacks human contact and socialization. These animals are born in the wild and are afraid of human contact.  Stray animals are pets that for a variety of reasons have become displaced from their owners.  These unfortunate animals search for a savior so they might once again lead the life of a happy and cared for pet.  Frequently death in a shelter or succumbing to the elements is what awaits these ill-fated animals.  This continues year after year, the word must get out that this must stop.   

We shower our dearly loved pets with adornment and often coddle them like babies.  Having such warm hearts for our pets it is not likely that these animal lovers just don’t care that an estimated 11-15 million animals are being destroyed in shelters each year for the offense of being homeless.  These animals can be considered kin of the pets we care for in our homes.  Frequently this is the case because feral animal colonies usually result from careless animal owners who allow their fertile animals into situations where they propagate with outdoor living animals.  I am dismayed that this condition exists in a society that places so much importance on the rights of humans but often lacks respect for other species. 

 Why is such a lack of attention given to these problems?  Many factors combine to create the crisis but human ignorance is to blame. Feral populations are the product of careless persons caring for their own domestic animals. Responsible pet ownership starts with the neutering and spaying of domestic pets.  Demonstrate your concern by spaying or neutering now.  Animals are happy, healthy and content afterwards and often make better pets. 

Animal execution is not acceptable it is wrong and there is an alternative.  In fact there is solid evidence that selective extermination programs widely used do not accomplish there intended effect.  The slaughter of animals makes way for new animals to inhabit the areas where the dead animals previously lived.  The new inhabitants reproduce at the same very high rates as the previous ones which allow the same problem to reoccur within a short period of time.  A single female cat is capable of producing thousands of descendants in its lifetime.  This terrible situation is not corrected or even aided by these programs.  The killing of innocent and extremely frightened animals has occurred however. These frightened forgotten feral and stray animals are victims of neglect and abuse.  There should be consideration given to the ethical implications of slaughter millions of animals each year and the neglect of the suffering of countless others.  This problem requires a compassionate response; treating animals as though they are worthless objects is horrendous.

 Many municipalities, towns and cities are motivated by saving money and it is this reason that there is hope for this situation.  The selective trap and kill programs in use in many areas require significant resources to sustain them.  Enormous funds are spent annually on these highly ineffective programs.  The fact that they are unsuccessful should give elected officials reason to consider alternative approaches.  Trap, neuter and release (TNR) programs have proven to be an effective alternative to many of the problems and challenges we are facing.  Most agencies should be interested in reducing funding for programs that have not produced the desired results. The fact is most TNR programs are run and organized by volunteers. These programs can save money and more effectively deal with these problems.    

Volunteers trap the feral and stray animals and bring them to a veterinarian where they are neutered or spayed and given medical attention they may require.  The fixed animals enjoy greatly improved lives. No longer mating and fighting for a mate they become more docile animals that healthier.  Returning these animals to their communities keeps new animals that are fertile from moving into the area and restarting the situation over. A small group of healthier and sterile animals allows their population to dwindle as they perish for an assortment of reasons.  The altered animals have the tip of left ear clipped that leaves them distinguishable from fertile animals helping volunteers in the management of the colonies.  Colony management is a lifelong process for the volunteers who perform this enormous service.  It is a good system that works and the volunteers are performing valuable community service.     

   Please help educate others by informing friends and neighbors so they may be encouraged to help.  Tell others it is wrong, immoral and must stop. Feral cats and stray animals have a right to life. They have the right to be free from starvation, the right to be cared for with love, and the right to be stay in a managed colony with their families. These animals cannot cry out and speak of their anguish, they can only cry. We must be their voice