[RP TownTalk] Fwd: Wild/stray,ferral cats

Fri Nov 12 15:49:24 UTC 2010

Zach, beautifully written and I could not agree more.

On Thu, Nov 11, 2010 at 10:45 AM, Zach Feris <zferis at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi Danielle and all,
> Thanks for sharing Beverly's email. Up until May 2010, we actually rented a
> house right next door to her at 5016 Sheridan. Beverly's a very sweet and
> gentle woman. She has a good heart and exhibits an enviable level of
> humility and care for all living things. I've never really agreed with her
> logic or practice, however, of putting out food for the neighborhood cats. I
> strongly believe that the act of providing food, while commendable for
> the level of compassion it represents and inspires, does far more damage
> than good.
>
> Providing a common feeding area for cats attracts wildlife - namely rodents,
> raccoons and skunks. It also attracts all kinds of cats - household pets
> that "escape" the confines of the family living room for the evening,
> homeless domesticated cats and feral cats. Many of these homeless/feral
> animals have never seen a vet, and there is a very good probability that
> they are harboring diseases. The common feeding area that is kindly
> being re-stocked daily by people like Beverly provides a point of contact
> where diseases are easily transmitted from wildlife and other sick animals
> to healthy animals (mostly via the saliva and/or parasites of an infected
> animal to others). Sick animals passing through our yards also come into
> contact with other domesticated animals - such as dogs - which provides an
> additional opportunity for transmission of illnesses. Additionally, outdoor
> cats often use garden plots to bury their "business", which is another way
> that serious disease can be passed from animal to human being.
>
> The diseases include, but are not limited to:
>
> Rabies: usually transmitted to humans via wild animals, but frequently by
> outdoor cats as well
> Salmonellosis: bacterial infection that causes diarrhea
> Bartonellosis: a.k.a. cat scratch disease
> Cryptosporidiosis: causes diarrhea
> Toxoplasmosis: spread to humans via contact with cat feces (especially in
> garden plots - so wear gloves always!)
> Campylobacterosis: another diarrhea causing organism
>
> Those particularly at risk include the elderly, young children, and nursing
> mothers - but may potentially anyone with a compromised immune system.
>
> We lived next to Beverly for about a year. During that time I would say we
> had maybe a dozen different cats passing through our yard on a regular
> basis. They seemed to enjoy taunting our dog. We also witnessed large
> raccoons and a skunk coming out of the storm drains and gorging themselves
> on Beverly's front porch. On one occasion, we witnessed one of the raccoons
> mauling our neighbor's chihuahua mix. Luckily, the dog suffered no lasting
> harm or illness. I called Riverdale Park PD to report that incident, mainly
> out of concern that the raccoon which seemed sick might have transmitted
> something to the dog - which played regularly with lots of children,
> including our son, as well as our dog. As far as I know, no follow up
> occurred from the PD. I encouraged the neighbors to get the dog checked out
> by a vet too.
> In my opinion, the problem which Beverly addresses is quite serious -
> particularly in that neighborhood. Continuing to feed the cats, however, has
> nothing to do with finding a long-term solution to the base problem at hand.
> I agree that Beverly needs help, but perhaps NOT the manner of help she is
> requesting. Here's the kind of help I'd suggest...
>
> The community leadership, with support from the community in general, needs
> to work to engage the various levels of our overburdened Animal Control
> Officials to plan out a more effective resolution to the problem. Trap,
> neuter & release (TNR) programs should be a component, and would go a long
> way to reducing the apparent exploding outdoor cat population. Trapping and
> adopting out any suitable, untagged and unclaimed cats in the neighborhood
> to good families would also help. Cat rescues may be better suited to help
> with this than Animal Control, since the vast majority of captured homeless
> cats are euthanized before a home can be found. Cat owners in the community
> should be strongly encouraged to get their cats neutered or spayed, and NOT
> let their cats roam freely outdoors. Lastly, one reason cats (and wildlife)
> come to the neighborhood is directly related to the availability of food, so
> Animal Control should work to reduce/control the practice of outdoor
> feeding.
>
> The issues surrounding appropriate control and care for cats can be pretty
> contentious. I realize I may offend some neighbors with the above
> suggestions. It's not my intention. Moreover, its my own compassion for
> animals that brings me to respond to the thread. I personally think that
> compassion can best be shown by caring for our animals in a way that is
> loving and nurturing AND functions to establish the solid basis for a
> healthy, enjoyable co-existence between humans and animals on this very
> small planet.
>
> My best,
> Zach Feris
>
> On Wed, Nov 10, 2010 at 9:07 PM, Dannielle Glaros <dmglaros at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>>
>> Friends,
>> I received this email and perhaps someone could be of assistance.
>> Dannielle
>> Dannielle Glaros
>> dmglaros at gmail.com
>>
>>
>> Begin forwarded message:
>>
>> From: beverly schoonmaker <bevschoon at yahoo.com>
>> Date: November 10, 2010 10:02:12 AM EST
>> To: dmglaros at gmail.com
>> Subject: Wild/stray,ferral cats
>> I moved here from Pennsylvania March 2009.I noticed we have several
>> homeless/ferral cats in our neighborhood.I was just recently out of work for
>> 3 1/2months.I have observed WE have approximately TWO HUNDRED cats within a
>> few block radius.A LOT of kittens were born this summer.I hear from
>> neighbors there is a lady 1 street over that puts food outside for the cats
>> She can't possibly feed all of them.I've been puting food outside in a shed
>> in my backyard for the cats.I'm spending approximately TWO HUNRED FIFTY
>> DOLLARS A MONTH.I don't want to see these CATS STARVE.I can't afford to keep
>> doing this on my own.I have a 33 year old son that is disabled from a car
>> accident I have to support him.I've called,written,and emailed several
>> orginizations>THEY ARE NO HELP> If you,and some of the other neighbors could
>> please buy some bags,and cans of cat food,and drop them off on my porch I
>> will continue to feed the cats in the shed in my backyard.I am a nurse I
>> work night shift so PLEASE just leave bags of cat food on the porch.I'm
>> asking for your help because you are the organizer of the neighborhood party
>> so you know a lot of the neighbors.Sorry my son Bruce,and I couldn't come to
>> the party.Hope everyone had a good time.Thank you for inviting us.Beverly
>> Schoonmaker 5014 Sheridan ST. CELL PHONE 215-421-9724 Because I work at
>> night I sleep during the day if anyone calls me I will call you back soon.
>>
>>
>>
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>
>
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