Feral Cat Coalition
San Diego, California
Is spay/neuter/release working? Statistics from the San Diego Department of Animal Control as of 6/30/97 show That while the number of cats adopted or claimed by owners has remained fairly constant over the years, there has been a decrease of almost 50% in the number of cats impounded and killed as compared to 1992 (when the FCC clinics started). Before the FCC was formed, the number of cats impounded and killed had been going up 15% per year!
So, you ask, what exactly is a feral cat??? Read on, and you'll learn more about a problem that's causing a lot of suffering --- and costing you money!!!Feral cats are the 'wild' offspring of domestic cats and are primarily the result of pet owners' abandonment or failure to spay and neuter their animals, allowing them to breed uncontrolled. Feral cat 'colonies' can be found behind shopping areas or businesses, in alleys, parks, abandoned buildings, and rural areas. They are elusive and do not trust humans.
Many people assume their animals will survive when they move away and leave them behind. Contrary to popular belief, domestic animals do not automatically return to their "natural" instincts and cannot fend for themselves! Already, U.S. animal shelters are forced to kill an estimated 15 million homeless cats and dogs annually. The alternative to humane euthanasia for almost every stray is a violent end or slow, painful death. Many "throwaways" die mercilessly outdoors from starvation, disease, abuse --- or as food to a predator.
A pair of breeding cats, which can have two or more litters per year, can exponentially produce 420,000 offspring over a seven-year period, And the overpopulation problem carries a hefty price tag. Statewide, more than $50 million (largely from taxes) is spent by animal control agencies and shelters for cat-related expenses.
In response to this staggering problem, the Feral Cat Coalition was formed by Sally Mackler and Rochelle Brinton DVM. The FCC is an organization that traps and spays/neuters feral cats, then returns them to their caretakers. This service is provided to the community at no cost by licensed veterinarians and volunteers with one goal in mind: reducing the enormous number of homeless, unwanted cats.
Studies have proven that trap-neuter-release is the single most successful method of stabilizing and maintaining healthy feral cat colonies with the least possible cost to local governments and residents, while providing the best life for the animals themselves. Spaying/neutering homeless cats:
...A note for our 'anti-cat' critics.
...
The
long awaited FCC video
is now available.
... Pictures
from Feral Cat Coalition clinics (please allow time for the images
to load).
...The Feral Cat Coalition policy regarding
testing/vaccination for FeLV/FIV/FIP
...An excellent report on
Trap/Alter/Release Programs by Karen Johnson
...A source
for humane traps
...Instructions for
trapping feral cats
...An article
by Sara Pehrsson
from Cats Magazine August 1995
...An article
by Susan Easterly
from Cat Fancy Magazine November 1994
...Raising Orphan Kittens
...a helpful summary of tips for dealing with abandoned kittens
...Taming
Feral Kittens ...a guide to taming and socializing feral kittens
...Complete details for running an
FCC-type clinic (procedures) 
... Comments
by Dr. W.
Marvin Mackie regarding the 'need for speed' in veterinary practices.
(Needs to be read carefuly from top to bottom)
... Study by Dr. Karl
Zaunbrecher addressing the link between altering and feral population
stabilization. (Currently
unavailable)
... FCC t-shirts
make great
gifts. Help our cause and look great too.
... A great article by Dr. David
Zanders dispelling some common myths about Spay/Neuter.
... The
Race To Outpace Feral
Cat Over-population, a symposium presentation by Linda Kelson,
Feral Cat Coalition board member.
... A
Model For Humane
Reduction of Feral Cat Populations by FCC's Dr. Michelle Chappell.
... The
Great Australian Cat
Dilemma ...an overview of the problem in Australia.
... Why
Feral Eradication Won't
Work ...an article pointing out the problems with eradication
programs.
... The
American Feral Cat
Problem ...an older, but still valid article.
... The
Unsociable Cat
...are cats really solitary creatures?
Please send your tax-deductible contributions to:
FERAL CAT COALITION
9528 MIRAMAR ROAD
PMB 160
SAN DIEGO, CA 92126
For clinic reservations, contact our message center at (619) 758-9194 (local calls only please). For information other than clinic reservations, you may email Jamie Campbell.
Last update February 12, 2006
© 1995-2006 Feral Cat Coalition / Ray Savage
Since December 2, 1995, you are visitor number
