A Helping Paw  - A New Generation - A New Way

Does this cat look feral to you? Ever try putting a hat on a feral cat?

Feral Cat Killers Need To Know...

   Even people who claim to love pets, kill feral cats. I guess it's not hard when you convince yourself these animals are unworthy of homes, diseased, pests.

   I couldn't possibly tell you how many stray/feral cats are killed each year. The public has no tolerance for them. And ABSOLUTELY no respect.

   It happens all the time, a call comes in to animal control - neighbors complaing about feral cats. Before you know it traps are set and cats are killed. By law, notices must be posted in trapping areas notifying residents of the trapping. Most notices read: Only cats wearing a collar will be released. Interesting considering our survey taken back in 2000 stated that 50% of cat owners didn't collar their pets that were allowed outside due to fear of the cat getting caught on something. Some notices state friendly cats without collars will be taken to a shelter for possible adoption. Should I underline the "possible adoption" part for you? Considering most of these cats are taken to overfull shelters, I wonder how many possibly get adopted?

   Did you know that any cat that shows signs of aggression while trapped is deemed feral and slated for euthanization? I'm curious to who determined this an effective way of spotting a feral cat? Imagine being trapped, you are scared, strangers are around you, approaching you and you can't flee. Cats by nature are untrusting of strangers, there only defense when cornered is to hiss and spit. I can guarantee if a stranger approached my cat stuck in a trap, most of my cats would behave 'feral' also.

   So people can make themselves feel better by stating these are fierce, unadoptable animals, that need to be destroyed. But what they need to know is that in the process many friendly, highly adoptable pets are being killed also. Nevermind personally owned pets.

   Several years ago we trapped and rescued 200 cats from just one yard in Wareham. With huge numbers of cats running the neighborhood, people started shooting them. Out of control, the cats were due to be trapped and killed. A Helping Paw stepped in just in time and took over. I can guarantee you almost every cat we trapped hissed and spit at us, most we couldn't handle. Though the end result, nearly 85% of these cats socialized and have been adopted into homes. 

   Another resent rescue A Helping Paw was part of included 10 cats deemed ferals due to be killed.   One of the cats named Allan, had been living outside for near three years. Very nervous and scared at having hummans forced upon him, he behaved poorly on arrival. He was EXTREMELY threatening. Because of his very large size, we were quickly intimidated and didn't ever expect to have contact with this big boy. Two weeks later, he gives head-butts, purrs, wraps around your legs and is now sleeping in bed with his new dad. How many more just like him have been killed?

   The public donates to shelters so stray cats can be saved from the streets. But are your donations going to help kill feral cats? Or should I say, cats deemed ferals?