ARTICLE: The Anti-Cat Campaign that Seems to Be Rising Particularly with Stray/Feral Cats

(Originally Published as a "note" on Facebook~July 27, 2013 and at Yahoo.Voices formerly Associated Content~August 2, 2013)

ABSTRACT: For quite sometime now there seems to be a very aggressive, negative viewpoints about cats, particularly stray/feral cats in which the idea is to eradicate them completely.

CONTENT:

Every once in awhile I come across an article that makes me want to roll my eyes and go "Huh?" The article in question may be so outlandish and absurd that it makes me wonder if it shouldn't have been a feature in The National Inquirer instead of a so-called legit news source that people might take more seriously.

Well, late last night I came across a "winner." The article was published on July 26 and is featured on the NBC NEWS Science website and written by a Marc Lallanilla, a writer for LiveScience and entitled "Gang of feral cats attacks woman and her dog in France."

Here's the opening sentence of the article:

"One more reason to love dogs: A gang of feral cats in France attacked a woman and her poodle, forcing both victims to seek medical attention for their injuries."

Well, sorry folks, but right off the bat one gets the sense that the writer isn't exactly a cat lover. I can't help thinking there has to be a lot more behind the story, which was first featured in the UK's The Independent (1) who had taken the original story of which appeared in France'sl'Est Republicain. (2)

If anyone knows anything about cat behavior, and I'd like to think I do as I've had pet cats ever since I was five years old and in the past did feed stray cats (way back in the 1980s), cats are by no means vicious, aggressive attackers, and it doesn't matter whether a cat is an indoor pet cat, stray or feral. One also has to understand the difference between "stray" and "feral." A stray cat will often refer to a cat that may at one time have been a pet cat belonging to someone but was abandoned by the owner(s). Stray cats will often be more friendly since they had been used to human companionship and interaction, feral cats on the other hand, are true "wild" cats that have never had any close contact with humans. Many feral cats are often the result of the offspring of the abandoned stray cat who most likely was not spayed/neutered. Since feral cats haven't had any socialization with humans, they are wary and cautious and will hide from humans. For this article to suggest that a "gang" of feral cats viciously attacked this French 31-year-old woman while she was walking her dog is beyond ludicrous. This is not feral cat behavior in the least.

Sad to say, this latest article seems to be just one in a series of what seems to be a downright anti-cat campaign that has been going on for awhile now and of which suggesting the concept of killing off any stray or feral cats. For instance, I've come across articles about New Zealand's plan to totally eradicate all feral and stray cats. Some states in the U.S., such as New Jersey, had in the past even toyed around with the idea of changing the status of stray/feral cats to "wildlife" which in effect would then make it perfectly legal for people to downright kill any stray/feral cat they encounter.

Then, of course, there was that "infamous" article earlier this year featured in the Orlando Sentinel written by guest writer Ted Williams, whom is a writer for Audubon Magazine. In the full original version of the article, Mr. Williams suggested the idea of poisoning feral/stray cats with Tylenol; his "suggestion" about poisoning was quickly later deleted from the article. This article created such a furor with animal rights activists that petitions were set up demanding to have Mr. Williams dismissed as a writer for the Orlando Sentinel. For awhile he was let go from his guest writer status, but he was unfortunately later reinstated. However, even with the deletion of his original remark to outright poison cats, the article still remains rather antagonistic toward stray/feral cats and is also against the TNR (Trap/Neuter/Release) program and would prefer to see a TE (trap/euthanize) program initiated instead. The article continues to ramble on about how stray/feral cats harbor infectious diseases and are a danger to other wildlife such as the bird population. How ludicrous, in my opinion, as cats are not only the animals that can harbor infectious diseases and are not the only predators to other wildlife.

Yes, I do recognize that a growing stray/feral cat population exists, but who has been the culprit in creating such a problem? Humans. To this day, I will never understand why a cats owner would allow their cat to run around outdoors unsupervised. Cats can be very content with being strictly indoors and will live longer, happier, more diseased-free lives. Pet cats, on the other hand, who are allowed to roam free are more likely to pick up on diseases, go missing, run away, or worse meet with some horrible fate as being run over by a car. Also, if that pet cat was never spayed/neutered and allowed to roam, chances are that cat will meet up with another unfixed cat and breed, thus now causing unwanted litters. The cycle of the over population of cats has now started and thus in turn will then create a feral population.

Now the whole essence of the TNR program is to diminish the ever exploding feral cat population and has met with huge success in many areas nationwide. Feral cats often form "colonies" that is a good number of feral cats who in effect band together and form their own territory. When rescuers get involved with the TNR program trap these feral cats and have them spayed/neutered it greatly lessens and reduces the chance of more unwanted feral cats. Also, not only are the feral cats fixed but have also been given vaccines for such diseases as rabies, herpes and calicvirus, lessening the chance of the spreading of such diseases. (4) How can one tell if a feral cat has been given veterinary care of in such a manner? One ear is usually ear-tipped, that is, a section of one ear of the cat is cut off.

Now a person may ask and wonder why these feral cats are then re-released into the wild again instead perhaps placing them into shelters where they may get adopted? Number one, pet shelters, for the most part, are overflowing with unwanted pets dumped into shelters by owners for a variety of reasons to begin with. Number two, these are feral cats, wild, unsociable and not used to human contact; the likelihood that a feral cat can ever be a cuddly pet lap cat is near zero; in fact, most feral cats that are caught and placed into shelters are most likely to be euthanized.

So now getting back to this latest seemingly anti-feral cat article by Marc Lallanilla. I can't help thinking there has to is a lot more to this than what was related by the so-called "victim" Josette Galliot who claims she was viciously attacked by a gang of six feral cats who knocked her to the ground while walking her dog. Sorry, I just can't visualize cats knocking a person down to the ground; we're talking about cats folks, not a wild loose bear terrorizing the neighborhood. Feral cats are not in the habit of making their presence known; if anything, they remain hidden. However, all animals, repeat all animals, whether wild or domestic might go into "attack" mode if they in anyway feel threatened. One can't help ask then, did this woman somehow provoke these feral cats, did they feel threatened, were they perhaps trying to protect their kittens?

Going back to the idea that stray/feral cats can carry infectious diseases and therefore a health menace. As I've indicated other forms of wildlife can carry diseases as well and here's just a partial listing. One can see a full lists of diseases here:
Diseases Of Wildlife

1). Deer: carriers of ticks~Lyme disease; also Brucella and Mycobacterium tuberculosis
2). Raccons and Skunks: Most likely to have rabies
3). Wild Rabbits: Tularemia
4). Wild rodents and mice: Lymphocytic Choriomeningits, Tularemia, Plague (Yersinia pestis
And of course let's not forget about mosquitos. One would probably more likely to be bitten by a mosquito that carries the West Niles virus that being suddenly attacked and bitten by a stray/feral cat.

Mr. Lallanilla's article is the latest in this trend of the hysterical mania and negative mind-set of how dangerous stray/feral cats are and therefore they should be totally eliminated. I can't help think this is the same hysterical mania mind-set that occurred during the Middle Ages when cats were considered evil, Devil's advocates and familiars to witches and were also killed off. Sadly, I hardly think Mr. Lallanilla's article will be the last that we hear of such nonsensical drivel.

Sources:

Feral Cat Attack Article

http://www.nbcnews.com/science/gang-feral-cats-attacks-woman-her-dog-france-6C10765319

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/tourists-warned-after-french-woman-and-her-dog-are-attacked-by-gang-of-six-feral-cats-8733229.html (1)

http://www.estrepublicain.fr/faits-divers/2013/07/23/attaquee-par-une-meute-de-chats (2)

Ted Williams article:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/03/130320-feral-cats-euthanize-ted-williams-audubon-science/

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-03-14/news/os-ed-feral-cats-031413-20130313_1_feral-cats-feral-cat-problem-alley-cat-allies (3)

Good article by Alley Cats Alley About Stray vs. Feral Cats:

http://www.alleycat.org/strayorferal

Another good article about feral cats:
http://www.vftafoundation.org/programs/feral-colonies/ (4)

New Zealand Feral Cats Articles:

http://www.lifewithcats.tv/2013/02/01/new-zealand-veterinary-association-supports-eradication-of-wild-feral-and-stray-cats/

http://www.livescience.com/26525-cat-eradication-new-zealand-save-birds.html

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/culturing-science/2013/01/29/killer-cats/

Article concerning New Jersey to change status of feral cats to wildlife

http://petsweekly.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=290%3Anj-attempts-feral-cat-hunting&catid=42%3Acatshome&Itemid=71&lang=en

ARTICLE: New Jersey to Propose Legislation to Label Feral Cats as "Exotic": Legislation that Could Mean Open Season to Feral Cats and Hunted as Wildlife

(Originally Published at Yahoo.Voices formerly Associated Content~9/7/2010)

ABSTRACT: New Jersey is proposing legislation to reclassify feral/stray cats as wildlife and therefore could be hunted down and killed. (UPDATE: While this legislation wasn't passed in New Jersey, there are similar proposals in other states to change the status of feral and stray cats to "wildlife")

CONTENT: Yes you heard right. This idea by the New Jersey Game, Fish and Wildlife is not exactly a new one, as it was first proposed as long ago as 2007. The whole idea is to change the status of feral and stray cats into "exotic" and dangerous animals that pose a threat to the natural wildlife in New Jersey, and by changing the status would allow people to hunt cats in the same manner as deer, rabbits, bear, etc.

I think most people are aware that in many areas, there are large populations of feral and stray cats and yes perhaps considered a nuisance, however, the many TNR (trap, neuter, release) programs available have proven effective in that by trapping the cats, spaying/neutering them then releasing does bring the cat population down. One such advocate of the TNR means is Alley Cat Allies, a forerunner in this program. To do the TNR method is also more cost effective, rather than the other means of dealing with the feral/stray cat issue, which is for Animal Care and Control to trap, bring to a shelter then euthanized. To do this latter method means that these feral/stray cats in effect take up shelter space in a system already bulging to the seams with unwanted cats, and little or zero hope of them being adopted out.

I don't think passing legislation to include feral/stray cats as "wildlife" and can be hunted down is the answer. The rational of the people proposing this idea is that feral cats interfere with the natural wildlife of New Jersey by hunting rodents, rabbits and birds. Like duh? I see this as a natural order of the chain cycle, and especially in the case of rodents keeps the population down of such animals--one only has to remember what happened in the Medieval period of history where cats were rounded up and killed due to superstitions of the time that cats were evil and witches familiars...what happened? Since the cats were killed off the rat population went rampart, and created the devastating Black Death since the rats were carriers of the Bubonic Plague.

As I see it too, if such legislation is passed, I almost guarantee that sooner or later domestic cats belonging to people will become the unfortunate victims. Yes, in my opinion, cats should be kept indoors when they belong to someone, but often cat owners will allow their cats to go outdoors to roam, and also, even when pet owners do confine their cats indoors sometimes there is the chance of the cat(s) escaping.

If you're interested in reading up more about this proposed plan just google Legislation Proposed For Cats To Be Hunted In New Jersey, not only will you find articles but many petitions to sign should you wish to do so, however I've included sources at the end of this article one can click on.

Here is one such article, and with it is a link to the on-line contact form to the NJ Fish, Game and Wildlife should you wish to voice your opinion.

While I'm not a resident of New Jersey,I decided to email the New Jersey Fish and Wildlife to voice my opinion and here's my letter to them:
________________
I, as well no doubt many other people, totally oppose plans to pass legislation in New Jersey that would reclassify feral and/or stray cats as "exotic and therefore dangerous" and thus allowing the idea that cats can be hunted down in the same manner as deer, bear, coyote, etc., when TNR is and has proven to be an effective means to keep the feral/stray cat population down.

Those who are pro for the idea of reclassifying feral/stray cats as "exotic" claim that feral/stray cats threaten the natural "wildlife" of New Jersey since they hunt rabbits, birds, rodents, etc. Somehow I and many others don't buy this as an excuse to change the status of feral/stray cats into the "exotic" status that would allow them to be hunted down and killed. One only has to reflect what happened during the Medieval period of history when cats were systematically rounded up and killed due to the superstitions of those times, being that they were considered as "evil" and familiars of witches. The result? The Black Death due to the rise of the rodent population that carried the Bubonic Plague.

Also, by changing the status of feral/stray cats into targets for hunters to be killed in the same manner as deer during hunting season, we in effect would be no better than China, a country noted for skinning cats alive for the fur trade, and selling live cats in open market places as a food; something many of us in the USA are totally and fervently opposed to. Here in America, cats whether wild or as pets are associated and considered companion type animals, not wildlife and certainly not an animal to be hunted down, skinned for fur or eaten.

Lastly, if such legislation is passed, I almost guarantee that sooner or later domestic cats belonging to people will become the unfortunate victims. Yes, in my opinion, cats should be kept indoors when they belong to someone, but often cat owners will allow their cats to go outdoors, and also, even when pet owners do confine their cats indoors sometimes there is the chance of the cat(s) escaping.

Passing such legislation to reclassify cats as "exotic" is NOT the answer--cats should not be classified in the same manner as other "game" and wildlife, but in my opinion, further efforts for the TNR means and system should be encouraged.

______________

Well lo and behold I got a response back from them and here it is:

______________

I do not know where the misinformation you and others are reacting to is coming from.

There is no legislation or proposal of any sort to allow the hunting of cats.

There is a developing body of information and research findings that indicate feral cats pose a significant threat to wildlife through predation and transmission of diseases.

The NJ Endangered and Nongame Species Advisory Committee (Committee) and the NJ Fish and Game Council (Council) have responded to this by passing a joint resolution acknowledging the detrimental impact of free-roaming cats on wildlife and strongly stating that TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) is not an effective means of reducing the feral cat populations and thus not an effective means of addressing the impacts of cats on wildlife.

Both the Committee and the Council have stated that there is absolutely no consideration being given to allow hunting of feral cats. The Committee and Council have convened a working group to gather information regarding the issue of feral cats and to propose recommendations for effective policies and management measures to address the impacts of feral cats on wildlife. This working group will get input from local governments, including local animal control officers, and animal welfare organizations, wildlife experts and wildlife rehabilitators in formulating its recommendations.

These recommendations will be presented to the Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish and Wildlife for consideration in formulating a response to the concerns regarding feral cats and native wildlife. PT

Paul Tarlowe, Wildlife Education Specialist
NJFishandWildlife@dep.state.nj.us
The N.J. Division of Fish and Wildlife is a professional, environmental agency dedicated to the protection, management and wise use of the state's fish and wildlife resources.
http://www.NJFishandWildlife.com/

____________
As Jerry Seinfeld would say to such a response, yada yada yada. So much gobbledegook double-speak to my mind. Not only has the TNR system of taking care of the feral/stray cat population been an extreme success in many states, in most cases, these cats aren't always necessarily roaming free, but are confined to feral "colonies" where they are taken care of, that is volunteers and rescuers regularly feed them.

One can even read success stories of helping feral cats especially through the TNR program by the organization Alley Cat Allies which was founded in 1990.

To my mind, any legislation such as New Jersey is proposing could have detrimental effects, one being that it could create an open season for any cat, whether truly a stray/feral or a cat that is a pet caught roaming loose. Two, it could also attract people who hate cats and have a tendency toward animal cruelty and abuse issues and would thus give them "legal" cause to shoot cats.

Whether you're a resident of New Jersey or not, voice your opinion. Here's one petition via the Change.org site one can sign. Also I encourage people to write to the New Jersey Fish and Game itself.

Sources:

My Central Jersey

Lovemeow

Cats as Venison

Animals.change.org

Pets Weekly

CatDefender article 1

CaDefender article 2