[BCNnet] Evanston TNR plans

[Donald R. Dann]

Hi BCN friends -

Thanks for sending this out, Judy.   Here is the letter I wrote to the
members of the McHenry County Board as they are considering a similar TNR
program.  I am also sending it to the Tribune in response to this.
I urge all friends of conservation to write similar letters (but please, not
verbatim).  Contact me if you need addresses.   Thank you,
Donnie
Donald R. Dann
Highland Park/Lake County.


This is regarding McHenry County's proposed trial of a Trap, Neuter, Release
(TNR) program for feral cat colonies.

Strong scientific studies have documented the loss of native birds and other
wildlife, including endangered species, to outdoor cats, with numbers
totaling at least in the hundreds of millions of animals a year.  One of the
most serious and persistent problems in this regard is the feral cat
colonies maintained by organizations like Alley Cat Allies, Operation
Catnip, and others.  They urge a program of trap, neuter, release, or TNR,
reasoning that in time, these colonies will diminish because of natural
mortality.  Here are the facts:

* Feral cat colonies do not go away, but only continue to expand and
devastate native species where they are allowed.  For example, a scientific
study of cat colonies in two parks in Florida found that the number of cats
in one colony stayed relatively stable over 13 months, but the other colony
actually increased in size.  It is now common to hear of "managed" cat
colonies that have been in existence for 10 or more years.

* Cats are not native, and even if well-fed will kill because it is
instinctive for them to do so.  There are no scientific studies that prove
that cats kill less prey just because they are well fed.

* Allowing cats to roam free is bad for the cats as they are subject to
infectious disease, fights with dogs and other cats, and are killed by cars.

* Cats kept indoors typically live from 15 to 17 years, while those allowed
to roam free have an average lifespan of 3 to 5 years.

Most importantly, passing such a law allowing for the maintenance of a feral
cat colony is probably contrary to Federal Wildlife protection laws, such as
the Endangered Species Act and Migratory Bird Treaty Act.  Local governments
that legalize TNR efforts may also be found liable if someone contracts a
serious illness such as cat scratch fever or toxoplasmosis from cats in a
colony.  People with compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable to
these diseases, which can cause their death.

Many groups oppose TNR, including American Bird Conservancy, The Wildlife
Society, National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, The
American Ornithologist's Union, Cooper Ornithological Society, Association
of Avian Veterinarians, and American Association of Wildlife Veterinarians.
The U.S. Department of Navy passed a policy prohibiting TNR on Navy lands.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has just acted
"to protect native wildlife from predation, disease, and other impacts
presented by feral and free-ranging cats" by ruling that colonies (such as
the one McHenry County is contemplating allowing) should be humanely ended.
McHenry County should do no less.

					Sincerely




					Donald R. Dann


-----Original Message-----
From: bcnnet-admin@ece.iit.edu [mailto:bcnnet-admin@ece.iit.edu]On Behalf Of
Judy Pollock
Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2003 11:07 AM
To: bcnnet@ece.iit.edu
Subject: [BCNnet] Evanston TNR plans

This is from today's Tribune Daywatch...

An animal humane group in Downers Grove has come to the assistance of an
elderly Evanston woman whose habit of feeding stray cats has upset city
officials and neighbors.

Cherie Travis, president of People and Animals in
Community Together, said volunteers plan to start catching, neutering and
vaccinating stray cats near Eva Rokossowski's home in the 1900 block of
Grant Street.





Judy Pollock
Evanston (Cook)
bobolnk@ix.netcom.com
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