Letter to the Editor
Published in the Home News Tribune 5/17/04
Colony of cats doesn't need 'cleaning out'
This is in response to the editorial dated May 4 concerning
North Brunswick feral cats. Mr. Hartman seems to have a vendetta. Clearly no one is going to change his point of view where
feral felines are concerned. However, for the sake of the open-minded readers let's set the record straight.
It's too bad Mr. Hartman can't direct his venom at the source of the problem -- irresponsible pet owners who fail to neuter
their cats, move, and leave them behind, and generally regard cats as throwaway items. Thank heavens for groups like Animal
Life Savers, who painstakingly donate countless hours and dollars to humanely clean up the mess. How dare he call their efforts
foolish! This was no experiment. Managed colonies are becoming accepted in many parts of the country and are proven to be
cost effective alternatives to euthanasia. North Brunswick has ordered the colony behind the Ramada Inn to be "cleaned out"
come July. What do they think ALS has been doing'? Hundreds of cats have been removed from the site and only a small fraction
returned.
These remaining cats are hardly a menace. They bite or scratch no one if left alone, and, in fact, avoid human contact.
Any new cats drawn to the food will be tested, neutered, and vaccinated as well. Admittedly they kill some birds, and no one
likes to see this. But what species are being endangered behind the Ramada Inn in North Brunswick? Certainly human beings
are a far greater threat to wildlife than cats are.
Finally, no one can argue that indoor cats live longer, healthier lives. Outdoor life can be hard, but it doesn't have
to be cruel. Not in well-managed colonies where food, shelter and medical care is routinely provided. One only need look at
newsletters and statistics compiled by Alley Cat Allies, the foremost proponents of TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) to see that
this is so. What is cruel is the systematic neglect, abuse, and slaughter that takes place in so-called animal shelters and
humane societies.
In short, human health and environmental integrity need not be put in jeopardy if groups like ALS are allowed to continue
their work. Feral cats are a fact of life. Human beings have made it so and will continue to make it so. If the officials
of North Brunswick think that killing this colony of cats will solve the problem they are sadly mistaken.
Jan Rottenberg
DVM
EDISON
Copyright 2004 Home News Tribune.
