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Posted by Marc Kramer, DVM on 09:24:52 04/08/08
In Reply to: Re: Barnes out of control posted by Georgiana
Short of trapping and euthanizing these cats (which most of the community is strongly opposed to), the next best method of population control is TNR (Trap-Neuter-Release). I currently do many of the spays/neuters for The Cat Network, a local organization that supports TNR. Look for an "ear-tip" on a cat's left ear to indicate whether it has been sterilized.
If you want to make a dent in the cat population without euthanizing them, my suggestion is to become a member of the Cat Network, borrow their humane traps, and help trap these cats and get them sterilized. If you are a CN member (which only costs about 10 or 20 dollars per year), you can borrow their traps for free, then buy sterilization certificates for $25 each, and work with participating vets such as myself to have these animals sterilized and returned.
Maybe not the best immediate solution to the bird problem, but it's aimed at long term population control, and avoids the negative stigma associated with euthanizing the cats which I am pretty sure the community will never approve.
Personally I don't agree with someone piling up mountains of cat food out there to support these populations, especially in a park that has a wealth of delicate avian flora, But euthanizing the cats is bound to stir up public outrage. TNR is more widely accepted.
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