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(June 22, 2006) But despite these advances, one issue remains a substantial obstacle – the impact of feral cats on wildlife species, whether birds, rodents, reptiles or other potential prey. To date, the issue has largely been handled in a confrontational manner. Alley Cat Allies (ACA) advocates the right of feral cats to live in whatever environment they are found, regardless of the impact on local wildlife. They claim TNR is the only possible way to reduce the number of feral cats in an area and argue the loss of wildlife is primarily due to the destruction of habitat by humans. In turn, wildlife organizations have viewed this “TNR with no exception” position as overly extreme, especially when a small population of an endangered species at a particular, discrete location is involved. Wildlife groups, and others, have reacted to the ACA stance with the opposite extreme – they blame feral cats for widespread ecological havoc and fight to have TNR banned everywhere, regardless of what kind or amount of wildlife is present in the area in question. The time has come to move beyond “cats vs. birds” and many enlightened animal leaders are doing just that. In Stone Harbor, New Jersey, a feral cat colony resided in a sanctuary for piping plovers, an endangered ground-nesting bird. When wildlife officials proposed removing the cats, presumably to be euthanized, ACA launched a national email campaign to fight for the cats to remain in the sanctuary as part of a TNR project. Naturally, knowing how vulnerable plovers are to cat attacks, wildlife authorities resisted and all that was accomplished by the deluge of emails and faxes was a lot of bad feeling. Into this fray stepped Judith Davies-Dunhour, a local police officer. On the advice of Neighborhood Cats, she got all the parties involved to start talking and seeking a mutually agreeable solution. The result, with much effort on all sides, was an agreement to make TNR the official policy of Stone Harbor, but relocate the cats out of the sanctuary into other parts of town. A “no feral” buffer zone was created around the sanctuary, which is now closely monitored for the arrival (then removal) of new cats. Two years later, this innovative, non-lethal solution is working well. Today, in an unprecedented dialogue, a number of animal organizations and agencies are meeting regularly in New Jersey in an effort to come up with a protocol for the practice of TNR in wildlife-sensitive areas, and a model TNR ordinance that is protective of wildlife. The participants include Neighborhood Cats, NJ Audubon Society, American Bird Conservancy, Burlington County Feral Cat Initiative, NJ Animal Rights Alliance, NJ Dept of Fish & Wildlife, NJ Dept. of Health and Burlington Co. Health Dept. By focusing on common goals and respecting each others’ interests, trust is being built and progress made. (Click here for the joint public statement issued by all parties.) Another example of collaboration instead of confrontation is provided by Project Bay Cat, a joint effort in Foster City, CA, by the Homeless Cat Network and the Sequoia Audubon Society. They have been able to implement TNR and feral cat management in a wildlife-sensitive habitat, so far with excellent results. The reality is there is no “one size fits all” approach. Each situation is unique and all parties must come to the table with open minds and a desire to find a workable, non-lethal answer. Practical solutions, not endless debate, is what will help both the cats and the birds. Bryan Kortis, Executive Director of Neighborhood Cats, will be speaking on working with wildlife advocates at the National Feral Cat Summit in San Francisco on September 9, 2006. |
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Leading
animal organizations have become more proactive in advocating for TNR,
including The Humane Society of the United States and the American Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Much needed educational
resources, including literature, videos and conferences, are being
produced. Feral cat groups are multiplying like, well, unaltered feral
cats!