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Saturday, April 06, 2013

Re: [AlpacaTalk] Re: Questions about barn cats

 

     I was discussing this subject with my dh this morning and told him I wasn't even going to reply, because so many see this as black and white and it clearly isn't!

     I agree with you Heather and I think comparing cats with dogs running at large is ludicrous.  Cats are survivalists.  My standard joke is that when we are long gone, the cats and cockroaches will still be around.  

     I cannot imagine any landfill or junk yard without cats, nor barns, nurseries, etc.  I don't  think the average person has a clue as to how overrun we would be with rats and mice without cats.  Sure, rodents can be controlled with poisons, but I sure don't want that on my farm!  

     I also find the likelihood of feral cats keeping all the ducks and geese away from a pond very unlikely.  More likely was some type of disease or lack of food.  Heck, if feral cat colonies could keep the Canada Geese away, I think we'd see the Golf course owners and airport owners employing them!  As it is, I have friends employed to harass the geese off of the runways and golf courses with their Border Collies.  To think all they need is a colony of ferals to do the job! If only.

     As far as being injured by a feral, I know this happens but is usually human error.  I have seen people bitten by squirrels but we don't try to get rid of them all!  

     I am sure there are studies on this, but I can only think that sterilization and vaccinating and releasing is the way to go, not eradication.  Besides, I am a firm believer than every species eradicated brings us humans one step closer to extinction, too.

     Btw, I work at a low cost spay and neuter clinic and we try to do our part for the ferals and their rescue groups.  We will will spay/neuter, vaccinate and ear tip for a lower price than an office visit and exam by most veterinarians!  

Laura
who just brought one of our barn cats home from the vet after having his leg amputated due to bad break of unknown cause.  Cookie is mending and enjoying the icu indoors!  Our tri-pod cat may be an indoor cat if he chooses to stay inside, but I suspect he will be asking to go outside very soon.


On Fri, Apr 5, 2013 at 7:54 PM, Heather Zeleny <alpacatalk@gmail.com> wrote:
 

I'm afraid I have to disagree 100% here. When an established feral population is disturbed, there are major consequences. Where I grew up, there was a huge feral and likely, dumped cat population on the beach. A massive effort was made to eradicate that cat colony, and what ensued was a major rat and mouse population.


Stable feral cat colonies are an important balance to the ecosystem. 

One or two altered barn cats will not affect wild rodent or bird populations to any great extent. But, if they can be persuaded to stay in or around the barn, they will definitely keep rodents out of the barn.

Or, adopt any cat. I have a female who is an indoor cat, but she takes her job as mouser and general "guard cat" very seriously. In fact, she comes to tell us when it's time to go out and do chores. :) 



On Apr 5, 2013, at 7:35 AM, farmer_mam wrote:

 



I have to agree with Laurel 100% regarding releasing feral cats. Sterilization does not resolve the destructive nature of these cats. We used to live on a lake and a colony (17 or more) took up residence along the lake. Mallard ducks, Canadian Geese, Squirrels, Rabbits, Morning Doves, Robins, Blue Jays, Cardinals, neighbors leg (28 stitches caused by a fleeing cat's claws inadvertently blocked in a shed), and my wife's hand and dogs nose were only a few of the casualties to feral cats. When I talk about casualties, I mean complete decimation of wildlife in two years - no nesting birds, no squirrels, rabbits, and the waterfowl avoided our area of the lake.

Please reconsider the impact and do not release.

The last time I made a public appeal regarding feral cats we received calls day and night telling us they would kill us for our stand. Never understood how one could not kill a cat but killing a person was ok....

Michael Morack
Waukesha, WI
[262] 970 - 9633



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