Monday, March 14, 2011

The Magically Disappearing Cat

Fairly amazing. Now you see it, now you don't.  Here's how it goes:

The nice family brings in a cat to their local shelter.  They came in last week to borrow a trap and successfully trapped him in their yard.   The little girl is proudly carrying the trap with both hands, confident that she is doing a really great thing for animals. She is sure that somebody is going to adopt this cat that she has grown fond of, but can't pet.  Somebody will tame him,  give him a wonderful home and he will live happily ever after.

The woman at the front desk politely fills out the paperwork, smiles and nods her head.  The nice family may leave a donation to the shelter for all the good work they do. The woman at the front desk calls a kennel attendant to come and get the cat.

Now here's the trick: Poof! - the cat is gone.  Never to be seen again.

The nice family asks "how soon it will be before the cat is put up for adoption, can they come visit it and how will they know when the cat has a good home?"  The woman at the front desk says "Watch the website.  Thank you for coming in," and then pretends to be busy with something else.

The nice family leaves, blissfully unaware. Or maybe, just maybe they are starting to catch on; with the nagging suspicion and the sinking feeling in their stomach that they didn't  "rescue" the cat and bring it to a "shelter". Maybe, just maybe, they sentenced the cat to death.

The truth is that 81 percent of the American public would rather leave a cat where it was (outside) than have it brought to a shelter and put to death if it knew that those were the only two options available.  But unfortunately, many shelters don't tell the truth.

If your shelter does not offer Trap, Neuter, Return, does it at least tell the truth about the outcome for the cats that are brought in? Acknowledging the truth is the first step to solving the problem.  Does your shelter perform feline friendly practices as outlined by Alley Cat Allies so that we can begin to end the killing of cats in America's shelters?

Or does your shelter still perform the trick - the Magically Disappearing Cat?

I want to say that in the last couple of years there has been a remarkable improvement in Wisconsin regarding TNR and barn buddy programs.  There is still a long ways to go but progress is being made. Thank you to those that are speaking out on behalf of cats in Wisconsin.


  1. Trust me when I say our shelter has no problem at all telling people their underweight/too young/stressed out/possibly feral cat will be killed before the sun sets. Granted, they don't actually use the word "killed", but "put down" is pretty close.

  2. Great article. Sadly, even so called "no kill" shelters are still killing feral cats rather than fully embracing TNR.

  3. I love animals, I also love wildlife. I own 3 farm cats that strayed here and I trapped, spay/neutered, vaccinated, defleaed, and wormed them and feed them so much that hunting isn't a priority. They are tame, they can be wormed and vaccinated so that they don't spread disease to humans or other animals. There in lies the problem. We all know and must be also willing to admit, that feral cats prey on natural wildlife to the point that they are putting some species at risk. Like those that nest on the ground especially, or in low bushes. I even have had to trap a cat that was trying to reach into my bluebird nesting boxes trying to get the birds. Feral cats spread diseases and they can be a health threat to humans when they poop in our flowers and gardens. Feral cats that aren't vaccinated can and do carry rabies and spread it too. Statistically you can find that cats are one of the top reasons humans must undergo rabies prevention treatment (myself included). The real answer is no more feral cats and that means getting rid of all feral cats, and only having family pets. I have rescued probably 8 cats that became pets, but living on a farm, I have also trapped at least 20 that couldn't be pets, they were too wild. They would hurt you if you tried to touch them or treat them for their ailments.

    1. Gail Storm, you have bought into some misinformation and I will provide you with the facts (via links) that will set the record straight.

      Feral cats are not a public health risk. Check here for the details:

      Rabies is not a health risk posed by feral cats. Check here for the details:

      There is no credible evidence that shows that feral cats have any significant impact on the bird population. Humans are the greatest risk to birds. Check here for the details:

      Also, Gail - you seem to want all feral cats killed. But fortunately, you are in the minority. Over 80% of the American public disagree with you. Check here for the details:

      The only humane management plan for feral cats is Trap Neuter Return. Enough said.