(CN) Humane solution to feline problem

[Guest guest]

Letter to Sunday Morning Post - Sunday 11th February 2001

 

Referring to the articles headlined " Noisy felines causing sleepless nights "

(Sunday Morning Post, February 4), the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to

Animals HK (SPCA) appreciates this opportunity to respond. It is unfortunate

that any living creature is forced to fend for itself on the streets. All too

often, cats and their unwanted offspring are abandoned by humans and fall prey

to abuse, starvation, injury and early death.

The SPCA recognises that this difficult situation results in many of the

issues raised by your reader. It is often assumed that fighting, mating,

breeding and foraging through garbage are resolved with catch-and-kill

intervention. However, research clearly shows that the destruction of

individual street cats is ineffectual in reducing the number of unwanted animals

and actually may encourage breeding among the remaining cats.

Addressing this matter from a global perspective, the SPCA has researched

what has been discovered in Europe and the United States.

The development of monitored feline colonies is the only viable means by

which to contain, and ultimately reduce, the urban cat population.

The abysmal result of years of catching and killing cats has forced SPCA to

embrace out " Cat Colony Carer Programme " (CCCP) modelled after successful

projects overseas.

In broadest terms, the de-sexing of stray cats profoundly reduces noisy

mating habits, consequential litters, roaming, fighting and other activities

that adversely affect the environment.

Compassionate, trained and registered individuals throughout certain areas

of Hong Kong humanely trap the animals and bring them to the SPCA for de-sexing

and medical attention.

Those cats deemed suitable for " homing " enter our adoption facility while

those unable to meet our homing criteria are returned to their colony.

It should be noted that a small number of sick or seriously injured animals

are humanely destroyed to maintain the health of the street population.

Both research and experience reveal that many people are moved by the plight

of stray animals and will feed and care for them on their own.

Although an honourable pursuit, such a piecemeal method is a financial

strain for most caregivers. It also allows reproduction , leaves disabled and

sick animals on the streets, and often distresses the neighbours.

Alternatively, the Cat Colony Carer Programme is a network of cat lovers,

veterinarians, pet-food suppliers and community workers coming together to

improve the lives of stray cats and reduce the burden to society.

It must be stated that the killing of homeless animals should not be

considered a worthy or desirable goal in any evolved society.

In addition to the humane arguments against mass euthanasia of healthy stray

cats, time and money are expended in the trapping, holding and killing of each

animal. The CCCP actually alleviates taxpayer costs by using volunteers and

donations rather than Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department time

and resources.

In closing, both the SPCA and your concerned reader want to reduce the

negative impact that homeless cats have on society.

We strongly believe that our new Cat Colon Carer Programme will accomplish

this goal while profoundly improving the lives of feral cats.

Anyone interested in learning more about CCCP, or who would like to donate

to the programme, is asked to contact Ms Ann Chow at 28002 0501 - extension 541.

 

Pauline Taylor,

Deputy Executive Director

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals