[BCNnet] feral cats

[Judy Pollock]

As well as being an action alert, this is an interesting analysis of trap,
neuter and release programs - there's talk in McHenry County  about getting
one
started.  

Dear Cats Indoors! Campaign Supporters: The domestic cat is not native to
Florida, but millions of stray and feral cats roam the state and threaten
migratory songbirds, shorebirds, and rare small mammals, including Florida
Scrub Jay, Least Tern, Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit, and Key Largo Cotton Mouse.
The
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has drafted an
excellent policy, "to protect native wildlife from predation, disease, and
other impacts presented by feral and free-ranging cats." The text of the
policy
appears below. Unfortunately, this proposed policy is under strong attack by
groups that support Trap/Neuter/Release of stray and feral cats, even on
public
lands important for wildlife habitat. 
Please send an email to Brad.Gruver@fwc.state.fl.us in support of this
proposed
policy NOW. If the Florida FWCC passes a strong policy, it would serve as a
model for other state wildlife agencies to follow when dealing with the
tremendous toll that domestic cats have on wildlife across the country. For
more information on the many problems with TNR, click on the "Managed Colonies
and Trap/Neuter/Release" button at
<http://www.abcbirds.org/cats>www.abcbirds.org/cats. 
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3 March 2003 Final Draft FWC Policy on impacts of domestic cats on native
wildlife 
Position and Policy
The domestic cat (Felis catus) is not native to Florida, but feral and
free-ranging cats occur throughout the state and number several million. Cats
prey upon both common and rare species of native wildlife in Florida,
including
species listed as threatened or endangered by state and federal governments.
Although the cumulative impact of cats upon native wildlife in Florida remains
uncertain relative to other impacts, predation by cats is common and can be
especially detrimental to wildlife populations that are small or restricted in
their distribution.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is mandated by the
Florida Constitution to conserve and protect populations of native wildlife,
and the FWC has authority to curtail adverse impacts that nonnative animals
cause to native species. Therefore, it is the policy of the FWC to protect
native wildlife from predation, disease, and other impacts presented by feral
and free-ranging cats.
The FWC recognizes that local governments have the responsibility to regulate
domesticated species, including cats, but the actions of local governments
must
not adversely impact native wildlife. Thus, the FWC will strive to minimize or
eliminate the impacts of cats where they pose a significant threat to local
wildlife populations, but will otherwise leave control of nuisance or feral
cats and issues of local public safety and welfare to local governments.
Implementation
Implementing this broad policy will require a variety of FWC resources as well
as cooperative efforts between FWC and other public agencies and private
groups. Because of the extent Qf the domestic cat problem, protection of
listed
species and public lands are considered the highest priority. Several
strategies may be followed and listed below are some that should be
particularly useful in protecting native wildlife from feral or free-ranging
cats. FWC staff should consider these and other potential strategies and
recommend implementation measures, as appropriate.
Recommended strategies:
(1) develop and implement a comprehensive education program to increase public
awareness of the impacts that feral and free-ranging cats present to wildlife,
identi~ ways for cat owners to minimize impacts, and inform cat owners of laws
prohibiting the release or abandonment of cats to the wild
(2) eliminate the threat cats pose to the viability of local populations of
wildlife, particularly species listed as Endangered, Threatened, or of Special
Concern
(3) prohibit the release, feeding, or protection of cats on lands managed by
the FWC, and strongly oppose programs and policies that allow the release,
feeding, or protection of cats on public lands that support wildlife habitat
(4) provide technical advice, policy support, and partnerships to land
management agencies in order to prevent the release, feeding, or protection of
cats on public lands that support wildlife habitat
(5) oppose the creation or maintenance of Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) programs
and similar activities involving managed cat colonies because they are not an
effective means of reducing or eliminating the impacts of feral cat
populations
on native wildlife
(6) support the elimination of TNR colonies and similar managed cat colonies
wherever they potentially and significantly impact local wildlife populations
(7) evaluate the need for new rules to minimize the impact of cats on native
wildlife

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