by Nan Demers

Created on: April 15, 2008   Last Updated: April 16, 2008

The feral cat overpopulation in the United States has for a long time been the subject of debate between animal welfare advocates and those who just wanted to be rid of the cats. Many felt that the only method of handling this crisis was to trap and kill them.

Since communities across the country have implemented TNR (trap/neuter/release) programs, the feral cat population has been humanely decreased in many areas. Jamie Campbell and his organization The Feral Cat Coalition of San Diego (www.feralcat.com)have had dramatic results with their program. Prior to 1992 the number of feral cats in San Diego had been increasing by 15% every year. Since the FCC opened their clinics,there has been a 50% decrease in the numbers of cats impounded and killed. Jamie has told me that he wants to do everything to ease the suffering of homeless cats. These programs do work!

This month Best Friends Animal Society (www.bestfriends.org) the nation's largest sanctuary, Feline Friendz, and Raccoon Valley Animal Sanctuary and Rescue were able to begin a new TNR program and end an inhumane program in Randolph,Iowa that offered $5 bounties on every feral cat killed. There was such a public outcry over the practice worldwide,that when Best Friends found out they were able to find the resources, volunteers, and local groups, and coordinated the new program. Representatives of the groups met and presented their proposal at a special meeting in Randolph. The vote was unanimous.

Volunteers are setting up traps, feeding stations, and housing for the homeless cats. The colonies will be closely monitored by volunteers. The colonies are set up on public property and the cats are allowed to roam free and not be confined, but will now have the care they need. The cats that are friendly will be taken to shelters to be fostered or adopted. Vaccinations and spay/neuter; mostly on feral cats will be done during April. Family cats will be microchipped in case they're lost. Local volunteers will learn how to maintain feral colonies. They are even moving several cats from the downtown area to a safer location.

Best Friends wants this to be a country with no more homeless pets and are well on their way to achieving their goal. This is a wonderful example of how a community can come together to help homeless pets and ease their suffering. It was important enough for the community of Randolph to make a coordinated effort to save these cats and they should be commended. All God's creatures deserve a life in a loving home and every community must make the effort to help them.

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