Does anyone else feed the feral black cats in the Village of Rio Grande
 

Does anyone else feed the feral black cats in the Village of Rio Grande (near Lisbon)? There are three that I feed and have been for over a year. Last summer when I went home for a few months my housesitter fed them in my absence. This coming summer she is unable to feed them. I guess what I am looking for is someone to feed them while I am gone. Of course, I would supply all of their food. I know this is many months away, but I am so worried that I am their only source of food other than what they catch on their own. Please PM me if you are also feeding them or if you can help while I am away this summer. They are truly feral and cannot be rescued. Thank you.

What time of day do you feed them? Just curious, have they been trapped & fixed?

I am curious as well.

Do you observe them while they are eating, or do you merely replenish a 'designated food station' on a daily basis?

I have a secluded Rubbermaid box where I put their food in the morning. They will appear at random times of the day to eat and then disappear for the day. They are just getting used to my kitties looking at them through the windows but they run off when they see me. I have not trapped them and had them fixed. I know this needs to be done. I had a bad experience last year trapping a cat so I don't look forward to doing this.

I am sure you are not looking for my personal opinion on feeding or not feeding feral cats.
I offer food for thought:



"Many people who encounter feral cats start feeding them, but feeding alone can actually make the situation worse. Feeding ferals increases their ability to give birth to even more kittens who are destined to suffer and die premature deaths. It is essential to get these cats off the streets in order to prevent not only their own suffering, but that of their offspring. Feeding should ONLY be done as a prelude to trapping, to get cats accustomed to eating in a certain place at a certain time."




In addition:
Your practice may be inadvertently attracting rodents.

Sorry.

Kittylitter, I can't help you with the feeding because we live too far away, but have you ever contacted lovinganimals on this site about trapping? She has traps and a lot of experience with TNR (trap, neuter, release).

Taking ferals off the street creates a vacuum that other ferals will fill. TNR is the best solution, in my opinion. I'd hate to control the population through starvation or trapping them to have them destroyed. I don't know why ferals are looked at differently than, say, coyotes or bobcats. They're all wild animals. but I know others feel differently.

Seems to me I have read statements concerning the feeding of wild animals here in both The Villages and the State of Florida! It's actually against the law!!!:undecided:

This from the PETA website:



"Because of the huge number of feral cats and the severe shortage of good homes, the difficulty of socialization, and the dangers lurking where most feral cats live, it may be necessary and the most compassionate choice to euthanize feral cats. You can ask your veterinarian to do this or, if your local shelter uses an injection of sodium pentobarbital, take the cats there. Please do not allow the prospect of euthanasia to deter you from trapping cats. If you leave them where they are, they will almost certainly die a painful death. A painless injection is far kinder than any fate that feral cats will meet if left to survive on their own."
------------

Feral cats are not natural inhabitants in our nature areas and by their numbers DO upset the ecological balance.

I respectfully do not understand what it means to say, "taking them off the streets creates a vacuum that other ferals will fill".

Feral cats kill millions of birds and small mammals a year in the U.S.- including some of our endangered species.

I am aware of the law against feeding animals that are wild- and that it carries a heavy fine.
I do not know if feral cats are specifically included on the list of those animals not to be fed, but one must still consider that outdoor food stations will attract rats and various other critters as well.

Kitty Littter, Of course I will help you trap and fix them. You have helped me in many ways. And Uptown Girl, Cfrance is correct. When you remove cats from an area, other cats move in and the pattern repeats. Cats are territorial so when cats are removed, others claim the area. Its the "Vacuum effect". Many cats live long lives when TNR'd. As long as they are continued to be fed it is fine. However, I do not agree with feeding them for an extended period of time and then stopping. Kitty litter is doing the right thing by having plans to have someone else feed while she is away. That is the moral and right thing to do. There are many who feed while it is convenient and then stop. That is not right. As far as what was quoted from PETA, I am surprised to read that. There are many organizations that encourage TNR, like Ally Cat Allies and Best Friend's Animal Sanctuary in Utah (look them up, great work they do!). There are unlimited numbers of wild animals out there that survive. Ferals have a right to live also and as long as we try to control the population and help them, why not let them live? Not every cat is going to suffer, just like not every squirrel gets hit by a car, and not every deer gets hunted. Some ferals have a wonderful life- especially with our help.

You are such a sensible, loving woman.
I admire you so much. You really are an inspiration.

Thank you Lovinganimals. I knew you would post a reply to Uptown Girl. I can't believe that she feels that all feral cats should be euthanized. I will be in touch with you regarding trapping these cats. You truly have a heart of gold.

I did not say I believe all feral cats should be euthanized. I quoted from PETA.

My decision to post what I did was to offer a clear (and broader) perspective; that is, offer PETA's view of the ripple effects and the inherent responsibility incurred when providing a regular fresh food station in a 'natural' area.

In your compassion, you have been feeding these cats for OVER A YEAR, perhaps without knowledge of that broader perspective.


Setting heartfelt sympathies aside, I see PETA's perspective on feeding the cats.

I also see the broad perspective of leaving food out in the open.

Here in TV, we all live in such close proximity to our neighbors. Are these cats being fed near homes? If so, is the potential effect on neighbors' property being taken into consideration?

(My question is not intended to offend or to start a debate. It is just something I wonder about whenever I read these posts about feeding feral cats. I hope to get an answer. That's all. In fact, I tried to talk myself out of even asking. But curiosity got the best of me.)

I would not feed feral cats (while being very familiar with them as I grew in the country with them all around) for the same reason I would not feed any wildlife: they can become dependent on you, and when you can't do it, then what?

Always go the state fish, game and wildlife commissions' advice and education. Here is just one nugget section of many on the FL Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission site and white paper linked below. All of it should be read by everybody:

Domestic cats can have impacts on native wildlife:

Domestic cats are not a part of natural ecosystem. A single individual free-ranging cat may kill 100 or more birds and mammals per year. Scientists in Wisconsin estimate that cats kill at least 7.8 million birds per year in that state alone. Even cats with bells on their collars kill birds and small mammals.

Cats compete with native predators and spread disease.

Domestic cats can be a nuisance and cause damage in many of the same ways that wild animals do, such as killing poultry and other small domestic stock.

Homeless cats may compete with pets for food.

Free-ranging cats can kill birds at bird feeders.

Cats can be a nuisance in gardens when they defecate and cover their feces by digging.

Modify your actions to begin solving the cat problem.

Do not feed cats other than your own. Do what you can to eliminate cat's artificial food sources. Bring in pet food at night and secure trash cans by fastening the lid tightly or enclosing in a bin with a locking lid……

Cats: Free Ranging and Feral

http://myfwc.com/media/1348637/Domes...whitepaper.pdf


...

Keep feeding the cats. You are a kind person to be so attentive to these animals that have done nothing, other than being born wild, to deserve being destroyed for the "greater good". These animals have every right to exist just as all wild animals do. They are all God's creatures, are they not?

Thank you outlaw. I am very sorry I even started this thread. It upsets me that there is so much hatred towards feral cats from people that live in the villages. These cats didn't ask for this life. They have it because people dumped off their cats when they were no longer wanted. FYI, my neighbors know I feed these three cats. We have no mice, rats or snakes as other villages have. I have a bird feeder which these cats could care less about. They just come for their one meal and disappear for the day. I will be trapping ASAP with the help of lovinganimals so they can be neutered and receive a rabies shot and I will continue to feed them.

You're a good person Kitty Litter and you're absolutely right.......these feral cats have a right to live as much as any other wild animal. Keep doing what you're doing. I wish I lived nearby to help you with feeding them.

Kindness is NEVER a Bad Thing!
 

I have just one more thing to say and then I've said my peace :)
I hear all the time that cats kill birds and other wildlife.
Who are we to decide if the birds live, or the cats live. Let nature take its course, that is why there is a chain. Just because we domesticated cats doesn't mean we should kill them if they kill other wildlife. If that were the case we should kill lions and tigers and leopards and................
(notice I didn't make this a question, but a statement-no debate, just my opinion)

Then let Nature take it's course- as you say, and do not interfere with what is wild.

Then we shouldn't feed the birds and squirrels either!

A cat is a hunting machine. (from the internet)

"Start with the eyes. Cats see as well as humans in daylight and six times better than people in poor light. This is because they can open up their pupils much larger than humans can, enhancing their eyes’ ability to collect light. Cats have the highest developed binocular vision of all carnivores, meaning they have great depth perception. And they can see in color -- in contrast to dogs, which have limited color vision.

The cat’s jaw and teeth are also specially adapted for killing. Their shorter muzzles mean they can deliver a stronger and wider bite, and their canine teeth are exceptionally strong. One of their premolars also has an interesting add-on -- a special spur called an anterior cusp, which allows it to crush bones.

The sharp ridges on a cat’s tongue that make it feel rough and sandpaper-like are called papillae. These little spines are made of keratin, the same stuff that’s in hair and fingernails, and come in handy whether a cat is grooming itself or stripping flesh off of the bones of a bird or mouse.

A cat’s ears are particularly good at catching the high-pitched frequencies made by rodents. The rounded shape of the ear funnels even the softest or highest of sounds inward, allowing them to pick up minute traces of prey.

Their whiskers can also pick up tiny vibrations that help them zero in on an unsuspecting meal. When a cat has captured a small animal, it will usually extend its whiskers in front of its mouth to sense where best to deliver a lethal bite.

The cat’s hunting prowess also owes much to its nature as both a sprinter and acrobat. Cat spines are very flexible, allowing them to put more muscles in gear when running and attain faster speeds. They can rotate half of their spine about 180 degrees and jump many times their own height. Because cats’ collar bones are not attached to the shoulder joint and their shoulderblades swing along with their legs, they have a broader range of movement and can also slip through small spaces.

Because a cat’s claws are retractable and kept sheathed while walking, they maintain their sharpness. The pads and fur on a cat’s feet also muffle its steps, helping it stalk prey silently. Cats can also rotate their wrists, unlike dogs, giving their paws a greater dexterity and allowing for a broad range of movements like grasping, climbing and swiping."

A truly feral cat is a wild animal. They have adapted as hunters and do quite well at it. Catch and neuter sounds like a good idea, but feeding them may not be as important as some think.

Wow - I might have to reconsider letting my three cats (especially the one that was born feral) sleep under the covers every night��

Based on my cat's sleeping ability I think you're safe. [emoji6]

:agree: Kitty Litter and Lovinganimals are two kind and compassionate people.

Don't be sorry. Too many threads get derailed just like this. I'll be happy to swing by and feed them for you. PM me if you need help.

Agree to disagree
 

Ok, can we all agree that we have debated this topic enough. Please let's put this thread to bed. Thank you for all your opinions and especially the comments of those that see my point of view. I wish I could look the other way but I can't.

Since when does something you find on the internet become the final answer? I think that there are many different opinions on this subject, and the "What part of... do you not understand" and "Who are you..." sarcastic comments are rude and in violation of the forum guidelines.

The Forida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is hardly just "something you find on internet" concerning feral cats in Florida.

"FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement is responsible for protecting Florida’s natural resources, including fish, wildlife and the environment, while providing a safe atmosphere for residents and visitors to recreate. This is in keeping with the Division’s core missions.

FWC officers have full police powers and statewide jurisdiction. They patrol rural, wilderness and inshore and offshore areas and are often the sole law enforcement presence in many remote parts of the state.

The Division of Law Enforcement has cooperative agreements with the National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Officers are also cross-deputized to enforce federal marine fisheries and wildlife laws, thus ensuring state and federal consistency in resource-protection efforts.
Division of Law Enforcement Sections......"

What we do

Cats: Free Ranging and Feral

..

My main point was the rudeness.

I believe we should not do so, Cyn.

We fed the Goldfinches in our suburb up North- we started as an act of compassion during a brutal icy winter.
Eventually, they became year round visitors - and dependent upon us. They were at the feeder continually in droves. They were PRETTY and seeing them made my day. I came to rather consider them my "pets'.
We had lots of Morning Doves as well, who rummaged through what dropped to the ground. I assumed they cleaned up the leftovers, as i had very little clean up to attend to.

What I did not know until much later was that the feeder was also attracting and feeding voles and field mice. Soon they built colonies.
We realized it the second Spring, once the snow melted.

We discovered that over our entire corner lot, the sod was riddled with tunnels along which the grass died and that voles/mice tunnels had undermined our front sidewalk. With the spring rains, it began to crack and tilt. It cost $$$$ to restore the sod and concrete damage and was a major undertaking.
The voles would NOT have taken up residence, would NOT have multiplied their numbers to such a degree if there was no steady FOOD source- that is, No bird feeder.

Feeding the birds was not the responsible idea I thought it was. I messed with their natural pattern, basically because by doing so, it made ME FEEL better.
In reality, what began as an act of compassion, was really more a self indulgence that upset the natural order.

There was ample forest preserve nearby and a heavily wooded championship golf course across the street. A source of natural food for them to eat…. and ample shelter…. to allow Nature to take it's course.
( I should also mention the feeder became a target for hawks to easily pick off the finches. Horrifying.)

Here in The Villages, I truly believe there is ample enough green area and forage food for the critters who live here.

And my story of misguided intention is WHY I do not favor leaving food out in the open.
We were fortunate enough that what we had were voles… they could easily have been rats instead.

And, we did not trap and relocate the overpopulation of vermin… we eliminated the steady food source, then eradicated them…. even though they too, 'had a right to live'.
--------------
I think the draw here (and I can empathize) is that these animals are 'kitties' and are cute.
If they were not quite so cuddly looking or were downright ugly, would people feel as compelled to be food providers?

The concern I had, prompting me to post, was not only the regularly supplied food station.

If one wants to personally pay for trap, health check, neuter and release I have no problem. This endeavor of course would carry the additional responsibility of paying for treatment of those trapped animals found with parasites or worse, disease- IF they can be saved, AND paying for euthanasia for those animals trapped, then found suffering beyond any help.

BUT- the PETA guidelines are, DON'T feed them unless you intend to trap within a short period of time.

Feeding feral cats for a YEAR facilitates more litters being born than would occur if the cats foraged on their own.
A lean food source IS Nature's birth control.

I lived in New Smyrna and they have a bad feral cat problem over 800 cats

Okay, maybe it is more politically correct for me to refer to feral cats as a non-native species… rather than wildlife.
To my mind, an animal born in the wild is wild.

I have been researching online in an effort to broaden my own perspective, but am mostly finding that researchers are beginning to reevaluate some efforts of TNR.

Here's one:


http://joomla.wildlife.org/documents/cats_tnr.pdf

Uptown Girl, it is quite clear to me how you feel about feral/stray cats. In a previous reply to me you said you did not say all feral cats should be euthanized. However, you appear to be searching out every article on the internet that supports that position. I'm glad not everyone agrees with you.

Kitty, you are stretching my intent again.
I'm not playing games here, nor deliberately discriminating in the websites I am perusing.
I'm trying to clearly view all the ramifications- I want to know them all.

You may be uncomfortable or flat out disagree with the article I posted from The Wildlife Society- tell me if you know the article to be untrue. The article was sad to read, but appears to be a realistic view.
I am open to updated research information.

Some believe a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. I tend to find, in my experience, that comprehensive knowledge often allows me wiser decisions.
What is the wise decision here? I do not know, but I know it must be chosen with regard to EVERY aspect of the situation.