More compelling evidence and arguments for TNR

The entire article is worth reading. I have excerpted it below. See the link for the entire article.


http://www.feralcat.com/sarah2.html

Would a smaller, stable and controlled population be acceptable in the area? Quite often those who are opposed to a teeming mass of 30 unneutered scavenging cats displaying all the problems associated with unneutered cats are amenable to a resident colony of 12 neutered cats which are fed in specific areas and which do not spray, fight, caterwaul, midden or breed. Those people who are opposed to seeing scrawny strays (on either aesthetic or welfare grounds) are often pleasantly surprised to find that cats in a neutered colony are healthier and altogether nicer to have around. Such a compromise might be possible if it is explained that the cats are not going off to some rural idyll, but will most likely be put to sleep.

How can a colony be reduced in size? Most colonies will contain cats which are FeLV/FIV positive, ill, injured or suffering from the ravages of age. For these, euthanasia is the kindest option. Feral cats are not co-operative patients and resent being kept captive while they are treated. Some cat sanctuaries have large enclosures with sheds, chalets and enough space for such cats to live semi-free lives, but there are always more cats than there are spaces at such sanctuaries and sanctuaries offering adequately sized enclosures which aren't overcrowded are few and far between. Other cats in the colony may be tame strays which are homeable; there may be tameable kittens or even a local landowner who actually wants to acquire some neutered ferals. The healthiest cats are the ones which should be neutered and returned to site as these have the best long-term chance of a decent life.

In contrast to the problems in San Francisco, Virginia and Louisiana, ferals in Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania were trapped, neutered and released and provided with litterboxes and shelters. At the same time, efforts were made to preserve or increase bird habitats in the gardens. Despite the presence of the cats, the bird population, including ground-nesting species, has increased. The cats themselves are an added attraction with visitors. Australian studies found that the neutering of several feral colonies led to an overall reduction in cat numbers as the resident, non-breeding populations deterred other cats which would have swarmed into a vacated area. The few cats which did join the managed colonies could be identified, trapped and neutered, or rehomed if tame.

Eradication methods, even if implemented humanely, cannot solve the feral cat problem. Trap-neuter-return methods sometimes seem like a drop in the ocean, but offer a longer-term solution, giving healthy ferals the chance of a decent life and freedom from the otherwise endless cycle of breeding while those which cannot be re-released can at least be given a humane and painless escape from their predicament.

Trap-Neuter-RETURN (to where they were trapped) (and PLEASE Maintain Humanely!!!!)

In many places, this is the single best way to deal with feral and stray cat populations. I have seen it with my own eyes. The best way to keep the cat population on my university campus stable (and slowly declining) is to have all the cats on campus fixed and then to maintain them. They drive away new cats. The only way we get new cats is when someone dumps one on campus (all too frequently unfortunately).

If the powers that be were to take away all the cats and have them exterminated, in one spring-summer season for mating we would have more cats than we had before. That is because the neighborhoods around the campus are bursting with un-fixed cats, looking for places to have their offspring. They tend to stay away from the campus now because of the way the fixed cats police the place.

See this article online about the program in Tokyo. 

http://www.japantoday.com/category/lifestyle/view/npo-provides-unusual-solution-to-japan%E2%80%99s-feral-cat-problem

NPO provides unusual solution to Japan’s feral cat problem

By Jessica Ocheltree

TOKYO —

It used to be that the only two options for dealing with stray cats was putting them to sleep or finding an adoptive home. Obviously, euthanasia is not an ideal solution—even if you don’t oppose it on the grounds of cruelty, the cost of trapping and killing animals is high. Adoption offers more hope, but local shelters often don’t have the funds to support adoption programs, and many feral cats are too wild or fearful to be good candidates.

Recently, however, a third option has emerged that’s more effective both in terms of cost and results. Known as trap-neuter-return (TNR), it is being championed locally by a nonprofit group called Japan Cat Network (JCN).

The Shiga-based JCN was started 15 years ago by two English teachers, Susan Roberts and David Wybenga, who looked around their community in Hikone City and noticed many wild cats that were sick or dying. After the pair started a TNR program, the local feline population became smaller, healthier and less of a problem for the residents.

TNR involves capturing strays, bringing them in to a vet to be spayed or neutered, and then releasing them after they’ve recovered; tame cats deemed suitable for domestication are placed up for adoption. If a cat is found to have a serious health problem, it may be euthanized.

At first glance, TNR might seem like a counterintuitive method of dealing with a population of stray or feral cats—after all, many end up right back where they started. In fact, Wybenga says one of the biggest challenges they face is convincing local people that TNR not only works, but is better than just removing the cats. “The cats need to go back for TNR to work. If we simply remove them, new cats will move into the area and the cycle will start all over again. People have two choices: sick and dying cats having kittens, making noise, and marking around the neighborhood; or healthy, quieter, non-reproducing cats, which will slowly decrease in number until there are few or none. ‘No cats’ is not on the menu.”

Many studies on the efficacy of TNR back this up. An oft-cited article in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association details a study done over a period of 10 years which saw a 66 percent reduction in a stray cat population. TNR proponents argue that, over time, the lack of kittens will keep the population at a stable minimum or see it fade away entirely.

JCN expanded to Tokyo this year, where it is hoping to open a rehoming center to support local efforts. “The sheltering that we do is completely in support of those actively doing TNR,” Wybenga says. “We think that by putting our support and resources behind those working to stop reproduction, we can have a much bigger impact on the situation as a whole.”

The biggest problem faced by JCN is a lack of resources. With no national animal welfare organization to turn to, the group must get all of its funds, supplies and manpower at a grassroots level. “We have to negotiate with veterinarians, and many are unwilling to adjust the cost of spaying/neutering for strays,” says Wybenga. “Right now, there are several projects where we could easily be out trapping in low-income areas—if we had funds and low-cost operations.”

Wybenga admits the feral cat problem in Japan is still large, but he’s convinced that there are a lot of compassionate people out there who just need some help and guidance. “We’d like people to know that even though they can’t do everything, they can always do something, and they don’t have to even do that alone.”

For more information about the Japan Cat Network, see www.japancatnet.com or contact Tracey Tanaka at tracey.tanaka@japancatnet.com.

This story originally appeared in Metropolis magazine (www.metropolis.co.jp).

SHAUN COLLAGE

SHAUN is such an endearing cat. He loves his cousin, Orange Blossom, like they were brothers. But OB already has a brother (Caramel), so sometimes he is reluctant to take on another one. Still, this winter Shaun and OB have huddled together and shared shelter space to stay warm. They usually eat lunch and dinner together as well. I think their spending time together makes it safer for them--they are less likely to wander off and get into trouble.

Pongo and Babe know how to stay warm.

They stay in my office, which is heated. And they love to cuddle up together--when they are not knocking each other around (just playing!). Babe is smaller and younger than Pongo, but seems to have more muscle pound for pound. But don't worry, if Pongo starts to lose he clamps down on one of Babe's long ears until Babe gives up. I'm going to call these guys my Office Staff.

Ragi's Portrait

I think I already posted this one. But looking at Ragi in the summer makes me forget the cold winter. Ragi and Caramel are huddling together in some cat shelters close to where this photo was taken. They are staying warm and dry, which is very important.

Orange Blossom contemplates his next move

Orange Blossom braves the winter weather. He is a lovely cat against the backdrop of the snow.

Babe posed for some portraits

Well at least I got him to hold still long enough to snap a couple photos that aren't blurred or depict him trying to snag the camera strap. He is an endearing little guy once he gets to know you.

 

 

Pushkin Collection

Pushkin (nicknamed Pushkerwhiskers, Pooty-poot) is one of the founders of the Swimming Pool Gang. I have a theory that she is related to Ragi and Bootsie, as one of the 'founding matriarchs' of the campus cats. However, my other theory is that she was someone's pet cat for much of her life and then was lost or abandoned (all too common here in Japan, unfortunately, and we have very few organizations concerned with animal welfare, making matters worse).

Late in 2008, as the winter got colder, Pushkin proved unable to live outside anymore. I brought her into my office and, after about two weeks of being sick enough to require hospitalization, she recovered. Being such a friendly and unique-looking female, I was able to find her a new home fairly easily. She is now living with a family north of Fukui City. It's just as well, as the entire Swimming Pool area is under reconstruction and there is no place for anymore cats (even though a new one has just appeared, another black-and-white one!). So it is a very good thing that Pushkin, Elvis, Gracie and Maya Girl have all found homes off campus with caring families.

I sure miss Pushkin, as she was such a relaxing cat to have in the office.

I have collected my photos her on the web. Click on the collage image below to be taken to the entire web album.

Collage of Pongo and Babe in the Office

Click on the photo to go to a full web album of their photos.

Tiger Boy and Maya Girl Collage

This a collage of Maya Girl that also includes Tiger Boy. The photo of MG on the left up against the glass shows just how much weight she lost when she was overwhelmed with grief for Tiger Boy. At that time, I was really worried about her. But I'm sure her time spent with Tiger Boy is now a really happy memory for her.

Maya Girl in her new home

I'm very happy to report that Maya Girl has transitioned very well into being a 'house cat'. This is very good for a cat who had to live outside on the university campus for the first 3.5 years of her life.

Maya Girl also taught me something about love and relationships. During the first year of her life she was nearly inseparable from her brother Tiger Boy. Actually, I think Maya Girl and Tiger Boy were born in separate litters to related mothers. She was physically behind Tiger Boy in her development. But they would always share sleeping quarters together, and Maya Girl always found a way to one of the food bowls with Tiger Boy in front of her.

When Tiger Boy was killed by a car out on a busy street near the east gate of campus, Maya Girl was forlorn for almost a month. I mean, beside herself with grief. She would go to the east gate every night and cry for hours, hoping to call Tiger Boy back. She stopped eating most of her food for three weeks and lost a lot of weight. I would go visit her everyday and talk to hear. I would hold her and pet her and tell her that we both missed Tiger Boy. She started eating again, and some students would come and visit her several times a week. Something she really enjoyed. She always liked being held and stroked.  

I like to think that Tiger Boy is in that part of heaven for cats, his soul at ease, looking down, knowing that his little adopted sister has found a new life. I'm sure Maya Girl still misses you Tiger Boy. I know I do.

Collage of Ebi

Ebi is the most recent rescued cat to be placed with a family. I hope she is doing well. Ebi was separated from her mother too early and suffered from poor nutrition. This stunted her growth. Then she got a bad cold and other complications and her growth seemed to go nowhere for about a month. But then in December she recovered and started growing again. Here is hoping she has a long and happy life.

Collage of Nana 2

Collage of Nana 1

I made two collages of Nana's photos. Here is the first.  You can also see her with Pongo, the black-and-white male. Nana is a white calico. She injured her right eye when very young, but this has pretty much healed now. The other two calicos--who all acted like sisters or cousins to each other--Gracie and June also injured their right eyes. Gracie's was the worst injury, but she has recovered some sight in that eye thanks to the surgery Dr. Daimon performed last summer.

I

Nana's collage 1

Collage of Gracie

Gracie was part of the Dining Hall Troop and then moved over to the Swimming Pool Gang for a few months. That was when she lived next to Elvis, with whom she developed a deep bond. Now she lives in the US with Elvis. A really beautiful long-haired calico with a wonderful personality. She was never kept by anyone as a kitten and young cat, but she got used to me and to the woman who came to feed her every night. She quickly adapted to life indoors. She is the cat on this blog's masthead (yawning).

Nice photo of Nana

Nana stayed with us for about 4 months and then moved to her present home, north of Fukui City, last year in November. She took over as 'big sister' for the little boys, Pongo and Babe, after Gracie and June left. Nana really loved to 'mother' Pongo and Babe, and she was also good at playing with them. She was a tremendously fast cat who used to run a circuit around the office, which also included a lot of vertical movement. She kept everyone very active. 

Elvis Baby finds her gender and her new home in the Kanto area

First, I mis-identified Ebi's gender. She is female, not male. So naming her after Elvis might not be such a good idea. So she is called EBI now.

I corrected the text of this earlier post about Elvis Baby/Ebi:

http://wearechikineko.blogspot.com/2009/10/elvis-baby.html
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Next, late last year, just before New Year's, she moved to a new home in the Kanto area, which is the Tokyo area more or less. We are so happy Ebi has found a loving family.

Here a couple photos of Ebi in her new home.

Functions to Keep Separate

Even in winter, cats like to keep these basic functions totally separate: quiet, secure, dry and warm places to sleep, places to eat, places to go to the toilet. Therefore, it is best to have shelters where they can wait to get fed and even feed from, but it is necessary to keep them separate from where they sleep. Many cats are not going to feel secure sleeping too close to food, since food attracts other cats and other animals. In winter they won't typically stray too far from where they get fed, but trying to force them to sleep right where they eat is not a good idea at all.

Here is where Ragi and Caramel took a lot of their meals in December and January, when the weather was foul. I have since rebuilt this shelter area to include 4 boxes for them to sleep, rest and await food. And I have moved the feeding area to a different place. I have also made the extra roofs and wind blocks better at blocking out the driving rains and blowing snows. Ragi likes this shelter a lot because, if panicked, she can quickly run for cover under a temporary classroom trailer parked nearby. She and Caramel, her son, will share a box in order to stay warm when it gets below freezing. 

Cat Shelters to Help Them Survive the Cold, Wet Winter of Fukui

For the cats around the College of Education No. 1 Building, I have constructed 'cat shelters'--nekogoya in Japanese (cat huts?). The first ones I made for winter a year ago, I made from styrofoam boxes and duct tape. By adding roofs, which were extra pieces of styrofoam made from the lids of styrofoam boxes, I was able to make these fairly weathertight. But only if the shelter was well 'sheltered' itself, such as on the leeward side of a building (such as the east side) or up next to a wall. Also, last year in December one of these got crushed when someone plowing snow dumped a ton of snow on it--thankfully no cats were in it at the time!

So I since have constructed newer shelters from plastic tool storage boxes. These I line with styrofoam and/or all-weather carpet and/or foam carpet tiles. I have a group of four near the No. 1 building which Ragi, Caramel and Orange Blossom are using. Orange Blossom is also spending a lot of time out of the wet and cold of Fukui's winter with Shaun, by the No. 2 Building. This, by the way, is what is left of the 'Dining Hall Troop'. Gwen, the calico daughter of Ragi born 2 years ago, is living in styrofoam shelters set up in a bicycle shelter near the north side of campus. I'm trying to get her to move in with the Dining Hall Troop, but apparently she is afraid of Orange Blossom and Shaun. She lost her best home when they reconstructed the campus library; she used to live under the handicapped access ramp but the newly rebuilt one doesn't offer any 'inner recess'. The old one was like a cave in which she would hide.

The next issue to face is what to do for the Swimming Pool Gang, since their entire area is under re-construction. I'm guessing that Sheba, Gus and Buddy are sheltering under construction trailers as well as in the basement of the College of Science's No. 3 Building. But the No. 3 Building is also due for re-construction. So I'm going to have to move some of the more sturdier ones over to where they are. The problem is finding a place where they won't be disturbed and at which the cats will use them. 

Here is hoping for an early spring, too.


These are two boxes that went outside for the Dining Hall Troop. You can see that there is a styrofoam box inserted inside the storage chest. The entrance holes are fairly large, but that is because these boxes will be in a fairly sheltered space. If the box is going to out in the open, it needs to be anchored well and a 'box-within-a box' type construction works best. Also, it helps to make the entrance hole as small as possible and as high up the side of the box as possible. Finally, it is best to raise the chest up off the ground, such as with wooden boards or bricks.

When a cat gets inside this, they usually feel very warm and secure, so long as it is sheltered from the wind and snow.

I make boxes big enough for just one cat, and larger ones for two cats. Cats who don't spend that much time together in the summer will cuddle together in the winter in order to stay warm.

Pongo and Babe Still Needs Homes/里親募集中

My hope is that someone will adopt these two little fellows together. They get along great and love to play and sleep together. This keeps them calm, relaxed and in good shape from all that exercise. Since they are both orphans, this brother-like solidarity means a lot to them. And since they have such contrasting personalities, keeping them together would prove very interesting for their family. 

Maya Girl has found a home.

Maya Girl had been living on the university campus for over 3 years. During her first year and a half, she and her brother, the loveable Tiger Boy, were inseparable. But then Tiger Boy got killed by a car. Maya Girl was near-inconsolable. She stopped eating and lost a lot of weight. Then she recovered some, seeking human company more than the company of the campus cats. She got along o.k. with Shaun when he visited, but relations with Gus and Sheba over the territory around the swimming pool were tense most of the time. Finally, they ran her out of the area and she was spending the winter mostly under the gym. But I caught her, put her in a quiet room for a week, and then she moved to her new family in Tsuruga City in southern Fukui Prefecture. Good-bye Maya Girl. We miss you here on campus but know that you have to be enjoying the comfort, warmth and safety of your new home.

Maya Girl had never lived in an apartment or house before, but as a kitten she had got quite used to people. So she has been able to adapt quite easily to living with a family in a house.