Whitefield officials dealing with ‘huge’ feral cat problem

Some of my sweetest and best cats have been formerly ferals, including the adorable and world-class cutie I currently have, Zizu. Feral cats didn't ask to be dumped by cruel heartless humans to starve or be eaten by coyotes. They deserve the chance to be vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and have some reasonable shelter. Kittens caught young enough can be socialized and make very fine companions. You don't see many dumb street cats, so you're pretty much guaranteed to have a right smart little kitty.

Some of the "suggestions" posted here are just downright stupid and cruel. If that is the image the posters wish to cultivate, I'd say they were successful. They are no one I'd want to waste a minute on.

First, let me say that I have adopted at least 3 or 4 stray cats, and found that they made good house pets, when neutered, and if you are patient about socializing them to humans. Loved them all, and in their own ways, they were loyal and affectionate companions.

They are also an invasive predatory species, hell on the native wildlife, and carry weird diseases that Vetinarians trained on domestic small animals don’t seem to be able to diagnose or treat. They will spread these illnesses to your other pets, and to you.

So I have had to capture and take to the County Animal Control shelter at least one of these ferals and her litter, tho’ it broke my heart.

If you can, and it’s a big if, tame, socialize, and adopt one of these wild brothers/sisters of our usual domestic pets, more power to you, and you will earn an interesting and amusing companion. But it is isn’t easy, and it isn’t cheap (the vet bills can be higher than for domestic cats). And if you can’t handle it, finding some humane, and effective means of euthanasia is your responsibility.

“they were also very clear that feral cats bear no relationship to household cats and that they are wild animals that cannot be housebroken”

In 2011, we brought in four feral cats — two adults and two babies. It took a while, especially for the adults, but they’re the most cuddly and loving cats we’ve had. They were housebroken on Day One. We kept them in a small bedroom the first week with food, water, and litter box. Never had an “accident”.

I’ve got two former ferals that showed up in my yard and they are now tame housecats. I’ve got three more that have since shown up and am working on taming them. It can be done.

Locals need to use the trap-neuter-release method. One of mine was a TNR. Murdering them is cruel and unnecessary.

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