Comments on: Endangered Birds Versus Feral Cats In New Jersey http://www.itchmo.com/endangered-birds-versus-feral-cats-in-new-jersey-2063 Essential news for cats, dogs and pet owners. Sun, 21 Mar 2010 01:40:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: Cape May Council Compromises On Feral Cat Ordinance | Itchmo: News For Dogs & Cats http://www.itchmo.com/endangered-birds-versus-feral-cats-in-new-jersey-2063#comment-128479 Cape May Council Compromises On Feral Cat Ordinance | Itchmo: News For Dogs & Cats Thu, 06 Mar 2008 09:23:09 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/endangered-birds-versus-feral-cats-in-new-jersey-2063#comment-128479 [...] May, New Jersey is one of North America’s prime bird-watching spots, and bird lovers have been trying to protect the endangered shore birds like the piping plover from feral cats on the beach. Cat advocates wanted to leave the cats at the [...] […] May, New Jersey is one of North America’s prime bird-watching spots, and bird lovers have been trying to protect the endangered shore birds like the piping plover from feral cats on the beach. Cat advocates wanted to leave the cats at the […]

]]> By: Dave http://www.itchmo.com/endangered-birds-versus-feral-cats-in-new-jersey-2063#comment-49155 Dave Thu, 23 Aug 2007 13:03:03 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/endangered-birds-versus-feral-cats-in-new-jersey-2063#comment-49155 To all, after a visit to the local community park that I have mentioned in the above passages I feel compelled to write this, the feral cat lovers have struck again!!! This AM after taking my dog for a walk I counted two maybe more kittens! This is exactly why the population will never diminish. And what will be done about it? "NOTHING" !!!... Because all the bleeding hearts will say, Leave them alone, there not hurting anything. This has been going on for at least 20 years here, and I know a cat does not live that long! I counted at least nine adults and saw two kittens, I'm sure there are more. Here is a perfect example of whats going on not only in my town, but around the world! And you wonder why people like me are so upset with these people who "MUST" take care of these feral cats. I applaud those of you who take the correct responsibility and do the right thing. For the rest of you who think this is "no big deal", YOU NEED YOUR HEAD EXAMINED! To all, after a visit to the local community park that I have mentioned in the above passages I feel compelled to write this, the feral cat lovers have struck again!!! This AM after taking my dog for a walk I counted two maybe more kittens! This is exactly why the population will never diminish. And what will be done about it? “NOTHING” !!!… Because all the bleeding hearts will say, Leave them alone, there not hurting anything. This has been going on for at least 20 years here, and I know a cat does not live that long! I counted at least nine adults and saw two kittens, I’m sure there are more. Here is a perfect example of whats going on not only in my town, but around the world! And you wonder why people like me are so upset with these people who “MUST” take care of these feral cats. I applaud those of you who take the correct responsibility and do the right thing. For the rest of you who think this is “no big deal”, YOU NEED YOUR HEAD EXAMINED!

]]> By: Dave http://www.itchmo.com/endangered-birds-versus-feral-cats-in-new-jersey-2063#comment-47592 Dave Mon, 20 Aug 2007 13:59:00 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/endangered-birds-versus-feral-cats-in-new-jersey-2063#comment-47592 Blade, First I would like to say, you must think I have no humanity. On the contrary, I'm a God fearing individual and have quite a love for all animals. "BUT" you must remember, these are animals, not kids or people. Sure nobody likes to see anything put to death but is it fair to keep them alive, fending for food, getting desease, ticks, fleas, possibly rabies, ear mites, cat cough, feline lukemia, and possibly spreading these things to other animals. I truly understand some people see these cats as worth saving but your only compounding the problem that exists. Your right people are irresponsible!!! and will always be, "think of this" If people knew that by releasing a cat into socitey it will be euthinized, maybe people will think twice before doing so. And as I said many paragraphs back, If you have a cat and take care of it, I have no problem what so ever with you or the cat. But these free roaming cats are a parisite any way you look at it. It costs every one enormous amounts of money that is not needed to be spent. Our efforts should be concentrated on helping human needs, cancer research, child illness, etc... not on a bunch of cats that do nothing but eat, crap, kill and reproduce. Blade, First I would like to say, you must think I have no humanity. On the contrary, I’m a God fearing individual and have quite a love for all animals. “BUT” you must remember, these are animals, not kids or people. Sure nobody likes to see anything put to death but is it fair to keep them alive, fending for food, getting desease, ticks, fleas, possibly rabies, ear mites, cat cough, feline lukemia, and possibly spreading these things to other animals. I truly understand some people see these cats as worth saving but your only compounding the problem that exists. Your right people are irresponsible!!! and will always be, “think of this” If people knew that by releasing a cat into socitey it will be euthinized, maybe people will think twice before doing so. And as I said many paragraphs back, If you have a cat and take care of it, I have no problem what so ever with you or the cat. But these free roaming cats are a parisite any way you look at it. It costs every one enormous amounts of money that is not needed to be spent. Our efforts should be concentrated on helping human needs, cancer research, child illness, etc… not on a bunch of cats that do nothing but eat, crap, kill and reproduce.

]]> By: Blade http://www.itchmo.com/endangered-birds-versus-feral-cats-in-new-jersey-2063#comment-47387 Blade Sun, 19 Aug 2007 22:54:43 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/endangered-birds-versus-feral-cats-in-new-jersey-2063#comment-47387 Addressing the root cause is the only answer to the cat over population problem. You can trap cats and take them be killed, every week or every day for all eternity but they will be always return as long as there are irresponsible people out there that aren't spaying and neutering their cats. That may sit well with some people but to anyone with an ounce of humanity it does not. TNR IS successful but is a long term commitment and it needs everybody in the community who has cats to participate in there own way. Those who think it's OK to let their pet cat "just have one litter" are major culprits here - in just a few months time, that litter will be reproducing too. I know that this does not solve the immediate problems facing your Piping Plover but their decline has not just popped up overnight - there was evidence to show widespread decline of these birds way back in 1985. The major cause of this was the birds losing their natural habitat - it's the same with most species of birds that are on the decline and are now endangered. But with the piping plover, as always, it's been allowed to get to 'crisis point' and a 'quick fix' is needed to make everyone feel better and that they're doing something to help these birds. It's too little too late! Cat people - PLEASE get your cats spayed and neutered for THEIR sakes as well as the birds and the cat-haters! THOUSANDS of cats are being put to death everyday because there are simply TOO MANY! Why add to this death toll? Cat proof fencing does exist, by the way. Unless they are Super-Cat, they cannot tunnel beneath it as has to be set beneath ground level to a depth of at least 12 inches. Addressing the root cause is the only answer to the cat over population problem. You can trap cats and take them be killed, every week or every day for all eternity but they will be always return as long as there are irresponsible people out there that aren’t spaying and neutering their cats. That may sit well with some people but to anyone with an ounce of humanity it does not.

TNR IS successful but is a long term commitment and it needs everybody in the community who has cats to participate in there own way. Those who think it’s OK to let their pet cat “just have one litter” are major culprits here - in just a few months time, that litter will be reproducing too.
I know that this does not solve the immediate problems facing your Piping Plover but their decline has not just popped up overnight - there was evidence to show widespread decline of these birds way back in 1985.
The major cause of this was the birds losing their natural habitat - it’s the same with most species of birds that are on the decline and are now endangered. But with the piping plover, as always, it’s been allowed to get to ‘crisis point’ and a ‘quick fix’ is needed to make everyone feel better and that they’re doing something to help these birds. It’s too little too late!

Cat people - PLEASE get your cats spayed and neutered for THEIR sakes as well as the birds and the cat-haters!
THOUSANDS of cats are being put to death everyday because there are simply TOO MANY! Why add to this death toll?

Cat proof fencing does exist, by the way. Unless they are Super-Cat, they cannot tunnel beneath it as has to be set beneath ground level to a depth of at least 12 inches.

]]> By: Dave http://www.itchmo.com/endangered-birds-versus-feral-cats-in-new-jersey-2063#comment-47304 Dave Sun, 19 Aug 2007 12:34:35 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/endangered-birds-versus-feral-cats-in-new-jersey-2063#comment-47304 Blade, My apologies. I "was" thinking you were in the United States! I do see your point, but I as I said above just what are we going to do with 90+ million feral cats. I'll put it in this perspective, If you had one or two ants in your house, it would not be a big deal, but if you had 90 million that would be a tad different. I do understand the fact that man has encrouched on our wild life areas and over here there is alot being done to stop this. I am in the military stationed on a small island and the island is infested with feral and stays. and it isn't just the coast line, it's the wooded areas, the housing areas, and even if you wanted to catch some of these cats it would be very difficult. These cats are also contributing to the death of our wild life problem. My research on this problem has shown that almost EVERY state here has a problem. I do understand your feelings but as I said in the past comments, what do we do??? People have been using the TNR for years but it has had "NO" affect on controling the population, if anything the population has exploded. TNR may work in certain areas where the population is minimul and natural forces also aid in control, so why does the cat population still continue to rise? Blade, My apologies. I “was” thinking you were in the United States! I do see your point, but I as I said above just what are we going to do with 90+ million feral cats. I’ll put it in this perspective, If you had one or two ants in your house, it would not be a big deal, but if you had 90 million that would be a tad different. I do understand the fact that man has encrouched on our wild life areas and over here there is alot being done to stop this. I am in the military stationed on a small island and the island is infested with feral and stays. and it isn’t just the coast line, it’s the wooded areas, the housing areas, and even if you wanted to catch some of these cats it would be very difficult. These cats are also contributing to the death of our wild life problem. My research on this problem has shown that almost EVERY state here has a problem. I do understand your feelings but as I said in the past comments, what do we do??? People have been using the TNR for years but it has had “NO” affect on controling the population, if anything the population has exploded. TNR may work in certain areas where the population is minimul and natural forces also aid in control, so why does the cat population still continue to rise?

]]> By: Blade http://www.itchmo.com/endangered-birds-versus-feral-cats-in-new-jersey-2063#comment-46913 Blade Fri, 17 Aug 2007 21:25:32 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/endangered-birds-versus-feral-cats-in-new-jersey-2063#comment-46913 Sorry, when I said "your coastline" I was meaning your coastline in the USA, with me speaking as UK resident. I didn't mean your own personal coastline, Dave. I realise that was confusing. These wildlife problems are have always been created by man interfering with species in one way or another, somewhere along the line. Then the solution always seems to be to kill something to resolve it. Cats were domesticated by humans thousands of years ago for their own benefit, to keep the rodents out of the grain stores. So they interfered there and moved them around the world to places where they weren't native and ended up with a problem. The solution (as long as there's a scapegoat to blame the problem on other than a human)...kill it, kill it, kill it....it's always been the same, too much arrogance and not enough intelligence. There are scientific studies to show that TNR does work. Sorry, when I said “your coastline” I was meaning your coastline in the USA, with me speaking as UK resident. I didn’t mean your own personal coastline, Dave. I realise that was confusing.

These wildlife problems are have always been created by man interfering with species in one way or another, somewhere along the line. Then the solution always seems to be to kill something to resolve it.
Cats were domesticated by humans thousands of years ago for their own benefit, to keep the rodents out of the grain stores. So they interfered there and moved them around the world to places where they weren’t native and ended up with a problem. The solution (as long as there’s a scapegoat to blame the problem on other than a human)…kill it, kill it, kill it….it’s always been the same, too much arrogance and not enough intelligence.

There are scientific studies to show that TNR does work.

]]> By: Blade http://www.itchmo.com/endangered-birds-versus-feral-cats-in-new-jersey-2063#comment-46908 Blade Fri, 17 Aug 2007 21:03:45 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/endangered-birds-versus-feral-cats-in-new-jersey-2063#comment-46908 Dave, if you read what I said again properly, you'll see that I said "in OTHER AREAS of your coastline where there ISN'T a feral cat problem"...i.e NOT your area. I didn't say that you did not have feral cat problem. There are some facts on one of those areas here: http://www.endangeredspecieshandbook.org/vanishing_actions5.php Dave, if you read what I said again properly, you’ll see that I said “in OTHER AREAS of your coastline where there ISN’T a feral cat problem”…i.e NOT your area. I didn’t say that you did not have feral cat problem.
There are some facts on one of those areas here:
http://www.endangeredspeciesha.....tions5.php

]]> By: Dave http://www.itchmo.com/endangered-birds-versus-feral-cats-in-new-jersey-2063#comment-46797 Dave Fri, 17 Aug 2007 15:24:27 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/endangered-birds-versus-feral-cats-in-new-jersey-2063#comment-46797 Blade, one other comment I forgot, my beach licenses in two states, fishing license and other fees add up to about $400.00 per year and that goes directly to the depatrment of fish game and wildlife, These fees are paid so we can preserve mother nature and the wild life. Feral cats on the other hand are not wild life but mearly destroyers of it! Blade, one other comment I forgot, my beach licenses in two states, fishing license and other fees add up to about $400.00 per year and that goes directly to the depatrment of fish game and wildlife, These fees are paid so we can preserve mother nature and the wild life. Feral cats on the other hand are not wild life but mearly destroyers of it!

]]> By: dave http://www.itchmo.com/endangered-birds-versus-feral-cats-in-new-jersey-2063#comment-46785 dave Fri, 17 Aug 2007 14:51:12 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/endangered-birds-versus-feral-cats-in-new-jersey-2063#comment-46785 Blade, I happen to have one of those off-road vehicles and fish the beaches when I can. "ALL" the beaches are closed to off road traffic when the birds are in nesting! Where did you get your information from? It is federally mandated to do so. Show me some facts! If you do not believe feral cats are a problem, open the links I have supplied. Jane again, I admire your willingness to give up your time to help these cats, and yes people are extremely irresponsible, but I have seen first hand the TNR program does not work. What you said above about people volunteering, this would take a enourmous amount of people to control what has got way out of hand. And Blade, your right no one is saying we should euthanize off road vehicle drivers, thats because they are following the law! and as far as comparing cats to boa constrictors, cats eat daily, boas only eat about one a month! no comparison there. Maybe you should open the links I have provided and get educated, then tell me we dont have a problem. Blade, I happen to have one of those off-road vehicles and fish the beaches when I can. “ALL” the beaches are closed to off road traffic when the birds are in nesting! Where did you get your information from? It is federally mandated to do so. Show me some facts! If you do not believe feral cats are a problem, open the links I have supplied. Jane again, I admire your willingness to give up your time to help these cats, and yes people are extremely irresponsible, but I have seen first hand the TNR program does not work. What you said above about people volunteering, this would take a enourmous amount of people to control what has got way out of hand. And Blade, your right no one is saying we should euthanize off road vehicle drivers, thats because they are following the law! and as far as comparing cats to boa constrictors, cats eat daily, boas only eat about one a month! no comparison there. Maybe you should open the links I have provided and get educated, then tell me we dont have a problem.

]]> By: Blade http://www.itchmo.com/endangered-birds-versus-feral-cats-in-new-jersey-2063#comment-46585 Blade Thu, 16 Aug 2007 21:15:28 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/endangered-birds-versus-feral-cats-in-new-jersey-2063#comment-46585 In recent years and in other areas of your coastline where there isn't a feral cat problem to blame it on, the population of the piping plover has also been decimated, mainly due to the use of off-road vehicles. The deep tracks left in the sand were causing chicks to get trapped, unable to climb out of the 6 inch deep steep sided trench and then run over. Many other species of birds are also suffering due to road vehicles, there are far more birds killed this way than by the feral cat population. My point is, no one was saying "Off road vehicle drivers must be caught and euthanised and all off road vehicles within 3 miles of the beach should be destroyed..." It might sound like a ridiculous comparison, but then again, so is comparing a cat to a boa constrictor.... In recent years and in other areas of your coastline where there isn’t a feral cat problem to blame it on, the population of the piping plover has also been decimated, mainly due to the use of off-road vehicles. The deep tracks left in the sand were causing chicks to get trapped, unable to climb out of the 6 inch deep steep sided trench and then run over.
Many other species of birds are also suffering due to road vehicles, there are far more birds killed this way than by the feral cat population.
My point is, no one was saying “Off road vehicle drivers must be caught and euthanised and all off road vehicles within 3 miles of the beach should be destroyed…”
It might sound like a ridiculous comparison, but then again, so is comparing a cat to a boa constrictor….

]]> By: Jane http://www.itchmo.com/endangered-birds-versus-feral-cats-in-new-jersey-2063#comment-46566 Jane Thu, 16 Aug 2007 19:50:25 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/endangered-birds-versus-feral-cats-in-new-jersey-2063#comment-46566 To late for correction, last line: Trapping, neutering, vaccinating and releasing! To late for correction, last line:
Trapping, neutering, vaccinating and releasing!

]]> By: Jane http://www.itchmo.com/endangered-birds-versus-feral-cats-in-new-jersey-2063#comment-46561 Jane Thu, 16 Aug 2007 19:43:11 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/endangered-birds-versus-feral-cats-in-new-jersey-2063#comment-46561 Hope you get this, been too busy to reply. First I mentioned before, there are articles and studies and numbers that "work" for both our sides. But to address a few of your issues: - the cats that populated that beach shoud've been spayed and neutered to begin with - the people feeding the cats should pick up their trash - the four cats in my outdoor enclosure are obviously happy, two became quite friendly, and we change the environment regularly to avoid boredom - the arbor was a beautiful addition to our deck & screen porch and garden and I scoop both a regular litter box and natural one about every other day - community involvement means volunteerism, less tax dollars - laws require holding a "stray" for a period of time in case they are a lost pet, just because a cat may act wild in a trap or be part of a colony doesn't mean it wasn't someone's pet. This costs money, as does the (sometimes enormous) amount of time it can take to trap some cats. - never heard of sometime keeping a feral long enough to socialize it when it's going to be returned - Boy Scouts and similar organizations can build nice feeding stations and shelters, or pick up stupid people's trash - Benefits: Remember the bubonic plague? There has been fear of reoccurrence in third world countries where they eat many cats; and has benefited my health, at 50 I look 35, 5'6", 125 lb., strong, fit and 120/79 blood pressure :-) - OH, and one or two cats are enough, but since there are so many irresponsible pet owners and I have the ability to help, I do. I won't be taking in any more, I know my limits, but I'll be trapping and releasing as long as I'm able! Hope you get this, been too busy to reply. First I mentioned before, there are articles and studies and numbers that “work” for both our sides. But to address a few of your issues:
- the cats that populated that beach shoud’ve been spayed and neutered to begin with
- the people feeding the cats should pick up their trash
- the four cats in my outdoor enclosure are obviously happy, two became quite friendly, and we change the environment regularly to avoid boredom
- the arbor was a beautiful addition to our deck & screen porch and garden and I scoop both a regular litter box and natural one about every other day
- community involvement means volunteerism, less tax dollars
- laws require holding a “stray” for a period of time in case they are a lost pet, just because a cat may act wild in a trap or be part of a colony doesn’t mean it wasn’t someone’s pet. This costs money, as does the (sometimes enormous) amount of time it can take to trap some cats.
- never heard of sometime keeping a feral long enough to socialize it when it’s going to be returned
- Boy Scouts and similar organizations can build nice feeding stations and shelters, or pick up stupid people’s trash
- Benefits: Remember the bubonic plague? There has been fear of reoccurrence in third world countries where they eat many cats; and has benefited my health, at 50 I look 35, 5′6″, 125 lb., strong, fit and 120/79 blood pressure :-)
- OH, and one or two cats are enough, but since there are so many irresponsible pet owners and I have the ability to help, I do. I won’t be taking in any more, I know my limits, but I’ll be trapping and releasing as long as I’m able!

]]> By: Dave http://www.itchmo.com/endangered-birds-versus-feral-cats-in-new-jersey-2063#comment-45910 Dave Wed, 15 Aug 2007 13:42:13 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/endangered-birds-versus-feral-cats-in-new-jersey-2063#comment-45910 http://www.napa.ufl.edu/2003news/feralcat.htm Read this, this is a current study in Florida. I think it speaks for itself! http://www.napa.ufl.edu/2003news/feralcat.htm

Read this, this is a current study in Florida. I think it speaks for itself!

]]> By: Dave http://www.itchmo.com/endangered-birds-versus-feral-cats-in-new-jersey-2063#comment-44556 Dave Fri, 10 Aug 2007 23:45:49 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/endangered-birds-versus-feral-cats-in-new-jersey-2063#comment-44556 Heres four for a small start, www.audubon.org/local/cn/98march/cats.html www.cdri.org/discovery/feral%20cats.html www.state.hi.us/dlnr/dofaw/cats/index.html www.thepetcenter.com/imtop/speaker3.html Heres four for a small start,
www.audubon.org/local/cn/98march/cats.html
www.cdri.org/discovery/feral%20cats.html
www.state.hi.us/dlnr/dofaw/cats/index.html
www.thepetcenter.com/imtop/speaker3.html

]]> By: Dave http://www.itchmo.com/endangered-birds-versus-feral-cats-in-new-jersey-2063#comment-44551 Dave Fri, 10 Aug 2007 23:09:20 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/endangered-birds-versus-feral-cats-in-new-jersey-2063#comment-44551 http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/publications/cat/index.html Bridgett, I do not fault Jane for her efforts and she can surely spend her money any way she chooses to, but were not talking about 20 or 30 cats here, were talking about 90+ million nation wide. Also on your comment about putting nest boxes out or fences, Theres hundreds and hundreds of miles of shore line. This is where we started, to protect the birds. Who will pay for that? Read about some issues that happend in Aulstralia, the link is above on this paragraph. I'll be glad to send you some more. I'll send them out all together. http://www.environment.gov.au/.....index.html

Bridgett, I do not fault Jane for her efforts and she can surely spend her money any way she chooses to, but were not talking about 20 or 30 cats here, were talking about 90+ million nation wide. Also on your comment about putting nest boxes out or fences, Theres hundreds and hundreds of miles of shore line. This is where we started, to protect the birds. Who will pay for that? Read about some issues that happend in Aulstralia, the link is above on this paragraph. I’ll be glad to send you some more. I’ll send them out all together.

]]>