Jul09
PETA in Spay/Neuter Olympics
Posted at 03:55 PM | Permalink
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Comments (10)
OK, I don't want to brag, but ... ah, heck! If spaying and neutering were an Olympic event (if synchronizing swimming got in, why not?), our SNIP staff would be at the podium holding their gold medals! Move over, Morgan Hamm—you may know a thing or two about the pommel horse, but could you prevent the births of thousands of unwanted cats? We didn't think so.
Yesterday, PETA's SNIPmobile hit a grand slam for homeless cats—completing an outstanding 30 spays/neuters done completely free of charge! These little kings of the urban jungle had the entire day devoted just to their well-being and happiness. And you know what, they were feral—all of 'em.
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We did the free sterilizations, although we don't believe most feral cats should be out there at all—in danger, unsocialized, and fearful of humans—because ferals often have to be the James Bonds of the kitty world just to duck and dive past the slew of dangers present in their environment.
Ferals are at risk of being picked up by bunchers for use in disgusting laboratory experiments—in addition to facing the risks posed by cars, extreme weather, diseases such as feline AIDS and feline leukemia, and other animals. And if that's not enough mud to trek through, there's the food situation. Keep multiplying the overwhelming number of ferals born in a colony each year, consider the amount of food available, do the math, and, well ... you get the picture. We did it, however, because cats are better off out there not reproducing than out there having kitties under the pilings.
Until we can do what Switzerland did and make it mandatory for people who want a cat or dog to pass a responsibility test, preventing future litters of kittens—and we're talkin' all kittens here, not just ferals—spaying and neutering is the key way to gain control of the overpopulation nightmare in this country and better protect these animals from harm.
Feral cats certainly don't live the life of champions. But thanks to the compassionate souls working countless hours on our mobile clinic and the people who looked out for them and took them back and forth, these ferals have a few less worries on their plate.
Posted by Jennifer Cierlitsky
TAGGED:
spay neuter abc snip feral cats
Comments
Yes, my cat is happy neuter. He has no frustration and is so relax and stress-free. He does not have to worry about any drive to reproduce. Also I don't have to worry about being responsible for his kids. There are no homes for these poor cats.
Posted by: Roxanne Delgado | July 9, 2008 07:19 PM
Feral cats have hard lives--all the more reason to get them altered.
Posted by: Kelley | July 9, 2008 07:43 PM
There are some crazy people out there dumping cats outdoors with no caretakers and announcing they are "wild animals."
Of course the cats die horrible deaths (after taking out birds and wildlife) but these TNR feral cat people don't care.
Posted by: kelly | July 10, 2008 12:58 AM
Both my dog and cat have been spayed. I see no reason to not have them "fixed". It doesn't change their personalities, and it helps keep the number of unwanted animals down.
Posted by: Sharon | July 10, 2008 01:42 PM
A few years back our city introduced a new by-law that if you own a cat it must be on the leash or kept indoors. At the time I did not agree a better one would have been if you own a cat it better be spayed/neutered. But never the less people started to get the point. Feral cats are almost obsolete since alot have been humanely trapped and brought into the Shelters/Humane Societies. Kittens "free to good home" (ya right) ads have also become fewer and fewer. And since opening my home to the strays to foster and hopefully eventually be adopted I have seen a decline. I don't know if the same would be for larger cities, I just know it has worked here and I'm proud it was a human effort.
Posted by: Carla | July 11, 2008 11:10 AM
I have seven neutered and spayed cats. I have a neighbor that has a feral colony of eight cats and refuses to get them fixed. He claims that if God wanted them to not reproduce, then they would have been sterile at birth. However, he does take in cats that have been abandoned or injured and I commend him for that. On the other hand, I have tried to explain to him that he is perpetuating the problem that he is trying to fix. Eventually, I know that I will have to trap the kittens and take them to a no kill shelter because their lives are in danger (cars, thugs, etc.). I just don't understand why people do not want to be responsible and protect these cats.
Posted by: Michelle | July 11, 2008 05:55 PM
You know, I'm very happy that there is going to be less unwanted animals! It's like the title of a book I once read, "Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio" of course this has nothing to do with polio but it does with small steps towards a better environment for animals.
Posted by: Zeta | July 16, 2008 06:53 AM
I think this is amazing.
I am shocked, absolutely shocked that most animal rights activists are fine with destroying hundreds of feral cats, when they are opposed to even one cow being slaughtered!
Yes, feral cats suffer and are at risk, but I've never been DEAD, have you? How do we know it's better to destroy a feral cat, take it's life, rather than let it go?
I am extremely passionate about making animal shelters stray only. That way we can try to socialize feral cats and keep them as indoor only. It is not easy, but it can be done!!
Adult ferals especially are short changed. Everyone wants the cute kittens, but the ADULT FERALS are wonderful - some of them can be house cats if socialized by a professional!!!!
Bless you PETA for neutering the ferals, now let's try to find them homes with veterinary professionals!!!!!
Posted by: Maya, CVT | July 16, 2008 12:18 PM
AMEN MAYA!
(BTW how did all of you get "laid back" cats when you got them fixed? I think they put a Red Bull implant in my guy, as he's not calm down ONE iota. With his fiesty self.)
(Sorry. Get me to talking bout him and I don't shut up).
I have been the proud "guardian" of several ferals. I had (at the time) a house in the country with a large yard. They had plenty of room to roam, and my porch provided them shelter. I kept them fed, and they in return rewarded me by keeping the mice and snake population down. Win win for all of us. It really surprises me that not alot of people think about this.
Posted by: Tabitha | July 18, 2008 12:34 PM
Tabitha,
That's funny - some cats don't get any better when they are neutered. My educated guess is that this happens with cat rescuers more often - here's why:
Most rescuers kind-heartedly take in older cats - but by that time the hormones have kicked in, and neutering may not help.
Don't get me wrong, MOST ALL cats get much better after they're fixed, no matter how old they are. But some don't.
Just a nitpicky point, by the way, it is lovely to keep cats indoor only - the snakes will actually keep the rodent population down themselves and snakes are quite lovely animals in general.
The other thing is, our cats were doing a great job catching mice in our house - I felt kind of guilty but we were sealing up the house and in the meantime I didn't want rodent poop in our food.
Well, our cat Ives began having seizures. Although the mice were not the cause, I learned that parasites from mice can get into a cat's brain and cause all sorts of hideous suffering. So it's better if cats are indoors and the holes are sealed so no rodents can get in.
Again, nitpicky but I just thought I'd toss it out there.
I think it's wonderful that you're helping ferals, you and I think alike. Please come to my blog if you can! ;)
Posted by: Maya, C.V.T. | July 20, 2008 06:28 PM