TNR of feral cats makes us feel good but we are not doing the best for the cat. It is better to euthanise them.
…unless these cats [feral cats] can be socialized and until we get the problem of pet overpopulation under control, I believe euthanasia, sadly, is the most humane and loving alternative.” – Dana Madalon, President, Sauk County Humane Society
These are the controversial views of Dana Madalon. PETA have similar views.
Madalon supports her statement by further stating that:
- feral cats are so sick and diseased it is cruel to operate TNR programs and
- “Cats are domestic animals. This means they do not have natural defenses or immune systems and thus depend entirely on humans for their medical care. In TNR colonies we see devastating illnesses and diseases that are left untreated”
These are the keystones to her argument that killing feral cats is better than TNR. She states that people who operate TNR programs do it for self-satisfaction. It makes them feel good but is not good for the cats.
She also states that TNR programs are often not managed to a sufficient standard, thereby leading to more miserable cats.
….not done with the necessary amount of care and dedication required, populations explode and cats live miserable lives.
I disagree strongly and fortunately most people also disagree with her. The reasons for our disagreement is that (a) Madalon is misguided about a cat’s immune system. Cats do have effective immune systems (it is very odd that she has this idea) and (b) feral cats are no where near as sickly as she states and (c) I suspect that there are more well run TNR programs than she claims (although I don’t have any evidence of this).
Madalon has seen some terribly sick feral cats. This may have coloured her opinion. How sick are feral cats? Is she correct?
Dr. Julie Levy, an expert on feline infectious diseases states that 2% of feral cats are FIV positive and 5% are FeLV positive. In a previous post I stated:
In a study {link} in Northern Florida of feral cats it was surprisingly found that the presence of FeLV or FIV occurred no more frequently for these cats than for domestic cats.
Cornell University states that: approximately 1.5 to 3 percent of healthy cats are infected with FIV
FIV is one disease. However, it does indicate that the prevalence of illness amongst feral cats is similar to that of the domestic cat population. Of course, feral cats are not treated in the same way. However TNR programs do include treatment and euthanasia of sick cats where necessary and possible, as far as I am aware.
Put extremely crudely, Madalon’s argument is that the feral cat population is too sick to save and so should be eradicated humanely. I simply don’t believe this argument stacks up.
These are clearly just her views! They have no basis and added to this I’m sure that a trapped cat that is a sick as she states would not be neutered anyway, they would be humanely euthanised.
How dare she make assumptions about the kind, caring people who work so hard to bring the feral population under control; at least they are trying to help. She should try getting of her presumtious ass and do something instead of spouting such rubbish!