I was very excited to check out this podcast, as I’m a wildlife lover and have volunteered as a rehabber over the years. However, I was deeply disappointed and offended by the episode regarding feral cats. I am a feral cat colony caretaker. I have had a stable, fixed, colony of 8 cats living in my backyard for nearly 4 years. So I did my best to keep an open mind, despite the podcast title. I recognize that my cats do have an impact on birds from time to time, so I wanted to hear potential solutions. However, the guest repeatedly referred to colony caretakers as “pathological.” Obviously, I personally don’t appreciate that, but also, that’s a pretty broad generalization to make about a large group of people with a range of personality traits. I find that unhelpful and it angered me. Also, in terms of solutions, the guest is promoting euthanasia of cats as his main strategy. He claims to be “cat neutral” but if we were talking about dogs, would that be a strategy anyone would stand behind? Trapping dogs and euthanizing them? Is euthanasia of any species a laudable goal?
Additionally the guest claimed that colony caretakers aren’t concerned about the welfare of the cats in their care. How does he reach this conclusion? In my case, in addition to twice daily feedings I provide my cats with shelter, flea control, ice water and fans in summertime, trips to the vet and treatment if needed, enrichment activities to avoid boredom and lots and lots of love and attention. It’s a tremendous amount of work. It’s not something I asked for, but I’m taking responsibility for a problem that had nothing to do with me, yet was about to spiral out of control. I know other colony caretakers with similar dedication.
Our local community has strict rules about feeding requirements. I make sure not to leave food out. I put it down for the kitties to eat and pick it up as soon as they finish.
Also the guest says he’s fine with people trapping and fixing as long as they don’t feed. But hungry cats equals increased bird consumption. So how does that make sense?
The guest gave examples where animal rights and wildlife experts teamed up to solve issues but was opposed to any teaming up, because inherently it meant “no euthanasia.”
So are these truly our only two choices? Killing cats versus killing wildlife? Can wildlife advocates and cat advocates really afford to be opponents? We can and we must work together. I love wildlife. I love cats. There’s no reason we can’t achieve a balance. Successful reestablishment of wildlife species around the globe are full of such stories.
There was no discussion whatsoever about the root of the cat overpopulation problem which is related to pet abandonment and high community poverty rates which allows un neutered cats to roam. Why not collaborate and put the focus there? How about financial incentives for getting cats fixed? There’s a novel idea….I say, stop blaming the cat lovers and the cats!!! I’m disappointed with the hosts for promoting this guest. I’d like to hear their response.
