February 11, 2013
Recently an article came out in the New York Times (and
reprinted locally) wherein the Smithsonian Conservative Biology Institute and
the Fish and Wildlife Service state that cats, both free roaming and pets, are
responsible for killing 2.4 billion birds and 12.3 billion mammals each year.
Forgotten Felines of Sonoma County can’t speak to where they
are getting their “estimated” figures or the validity of their data. Our position on this matter, which coincides
with our mission, is as follows:
We do not believe in killing one creature to save
another. The most humane way of
controlling “community cats” (feral, free roaming) is through trap, neuter,
return – the method that we have been using since 1990 when we were
founded. We are in complete agreement
that:
1.) Free
roaming cats kill birds and small mammals – it is in their nature
2.) Indoor
only cats would be healthier, safer, and would not impact our environment
This is exactly why we work tirelessly to reduce the free
roaming cat population. We care about
ALL living beings – not just cats.
This includes the impact that rounding up and killing cats has on us as
human beings. Killing (not euthanizing)
a viable, healthy, living creature is bad.
It’s bad for the cat that is terrified up to the point that it is killed
and it’s bad for the shelter staff who have to house, then kill the cat. These people are members of our community and
it’s bad to require them to take this action upon an innocent creature.
If the goal is to figure out what is happening to our
world - whether it is a reduction in the
bird population or destruction of our planet, we need only look as far as the
mirror.
Just like any community concern, it takes each of us to do
our part in acknowledging that there is a problem, identifying the solution and
taking action. Our goal is to reduce the feral cat population down to zero
through spay/neuter, but we can’t do it alone.
Sonoma Humane Society offers weekly, low cost, high quality
spay/neuter services for all tame, owned cats. (800) 427-7973
Sonoma County Animal Care and Control offers weekly, low
cost, high quality spay/neuter services for dogs. (800) 427-7973
Petaluma Animal Shelter (778-7387), Rohnert Park Animal
Shelter (584-1582) and Pets Lifeline (996-4577) all offer monthly low cost,
high quality spay/neuter services for dogs and cats.
There are NO EXCUSES for any person in this County to have a
litter of puppies or kittens. Services
are available. One only needs to pick up
the phone and take action.
Our Vision: Forgotten Felines of Sonoma County is
committed to a world where all animals are treated with compassion and
respect. We are dedicated to elevating
the quality of life of feral cats and ending the pain and suffering of all cats
living among us.
Meow for now,
Jennifer
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