Feral Kittens in TV
 

I am greatly disturbed by the number of feral kittens I have seen in the Lake Sumter area in the last few days. There are some at the pier, some in the Sweetbay parking lot and I even had one run in front of my golf cart on Buena Vista. Does anyone know if someone in TV, or TV itself does TNR (trap, neuter, return)? I have done it in the past and have a Have a Heart trap but don't have the funds to pay for the spay/neuter. I was wondering if there was anyone doing this who knew of a low cost spay/neuter program or if there was already TNR going on in TV. One of the kittens in Sweetbay parking lot was very skinny and I put some food down. When I returned 20 min later is was gone. Any info about who to contact for help would be appreciated.

This is a problem all over TV. I've seen some heartbreaking things. Starving cats and kittens living in parking lots, around restaurants, on golf courses (easy breakfast for displaced coyotes.)

Almost daily we hear of people losing a cat. Sorry, but I cannot understand why anyone would let their cat out. Of course, some cats escape by accident, they are sly little devils.

The whole feral cat issue breaks my heart.

Sad Stats 48 cats impounded, 47 euthanized
 

I had one that dug into my garbage for about two years. His/her favorite chicken n the bone. It took a lot of dissuading to get this critter away from home

More than just a problem in TV.
As Florida Bill Looks To Aid Feral Cats, Opponents Claw Back : NPR

Sad indeed, but the 48 is canines, not felines.
 

What a sad report to start my day. I had no idea and cannot get over the activity in that report for just June. If I am reading it correctly it is much sadder that your post title indicates. They took in 164 cats just in June!

Truly breaks my heart.....

I understand trap, I understand neuter. I don't understand return when they have no home to which they can be returned. If the goal is to have feral infertile cats to act as garbage bag rippers, or coyote and gator meals, then I get the return part. If the goal is to get feral cats out of circulation then the solution is adoption or elimination. Sorry cat lovers. Perhaps that tremendous amount of effort and funds could be used for such a project and I'm just not getting it.

The return
 

The reason for the return is that when you take the trapped cats out of the living situation, it creates a sort of "vacuum" for other stray cats to come in, who are possibly not fixed and you are back to square one. By returning the fixed cats, they claim the territory and it helps to keep others out, but they must be fed. Usually the TNR people will take shifts, or days, to leave food and water for the cats so they don't go getting into someone's garbage. One ear of the cat is "tipped" so if anyone else who knows anything about TNR sees the cat, they know it is fixed and being taken care of and won't bother wasting time trying to catch it themselves. I would be more than happy to help start a club with someone. I was thinking the same thing but didn't want to take it all on myself because I have only been here a month and am looking for a job so I don't want to start something I can't finish. But let's see if we can get enough people to start a club. I was thinking of seeing if any of the vets in TV would consider supporting a club and offering very low cost spay/neuter to ferals. Some vets won't handle ferals. If anyone has an "in" with someone in the town offices or something, maybe they can put a bug in their ear about scrounging up some money to help this cause.

feral cats,spay,meuter and return
 

I am there in Jan thru april and would love to help and get involved in a group....... also to inform the person who says why return, did you ever see the mice or rats along the golf cart paths? The cats will help to keep that population down. They also eat bugs, They do good for the community........... I believe it is a good program and we definitely should get as many people involved as we can.......... Thank you for noticing and doing what you can!

I was pedaling home from work around 2:30 a.m. & while I was crossing the bridge I saw the cutest little one sitting in the opening of a storm drain on the road near the curb.I couldn't do anything for it as I was on my bike. I sure hope it's alright but I doubt it considering where it was.

They also kill thousands of birds and carry fleas into your yards.

I would be interested in helping out in such a group.

If anyone has any contacts at any local vets, please ask them if they are willing to do some free or very low cost spay/neuters for TNR. I have been leaving food at the Sweetbay at LSL. It has been disappearing but I was afraid a rat was eating it. Tonight, I saw a little kitten eating it! Oh how I wanted to pick it up and give it some love! I don't have any money for spay/neuter, but am willing to spend time trapping and feeding. Please post if you have any resources for the costs of fixing.