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AVMA - American Veterinary Medical Association Policy
Free-roaming Abadondoned and Feral Cats
“As a result of irresponsible societal attitudes, millions of these cats exist in the United States. Unfortunately, most of these cats will suffer premature mortality from disease, starvation, or trauma. Their suffering is of sufficient magnitude that it constitutes a national tragedy of epidemic proportions.”
Some of Our Policies Concerning Feral CatsEar TippingEar tipping is a method for identifying feral cats who have been immunized, neutered, and are being cared for in managed colonies. When the cat is neutered and still under anesthesia the veterinarian removes 1/8 - 1/4 inch of the tip of the left ear. Ear tipping is done as part of TNR in all parts of the world where there are managed feral colonies. It is a clear indication that the cat has already been neutered and need not be trapped again. In many cities like New York where TNR is widely practiced, humane enforcement officers will notify local caretakers when an ear-tipped cat is picked up and will return the cat to its colony. This saves the municipality the cost of evaluating and housing the animal for the required waiting period and avoids the possibility of euthanasia. |
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FIV/FeLV Testing for Feral CatsThe rate of infection from Feline Leukemia (FeLV) and Feline AIDS (FIV) in feral cats is the same as in owned cats. (Neither of these diseases can be transmitted to humans.) The rate of infection has been found to be low (3-4% for FeLV; 2-5% for FIV). Since these diseases are spread from infected mothers to kittens and through bite wounds, usually from fighting tom cats (un-neutered males), neutering will decrease the spread of these diseases. The goal of our program is to sterilize as many cats as possible, eventually reducing the number of stray and feral cats. Our resources must be focused on this goal, or the result will be more unwanted kittens being born, thus continuing the cycle of overpopulation and unwanted cats. |
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| Putnam Felines opposes the killing of any cat simply because he or she tests positive for the FIV or FeLV virus. We believe that asymptomatic cats have as much right to live as any other cat. Euthanasia is the mercy killing of a suffering being, not death imposed for convenience or concern about possible future consequences. We believe that spay/neuter improves the quality of a cat’s life and he or she should be allowed to return to his family. TNR does not pretend to create a perfect world for feral cats. Those who have worked with feral cats for many years and knowingly released FIV and FeLV positive cats back into their colonies have not seen the colonies wiped out by the disease nor have they observed any other evidence to support the “all the cats will die because of you” theory. (For more details on this subject go to www.neighborhoodcats.org.) |
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Taming of Feral CatsIt is generally believed that by 10-12 weeks of age most cat behaviors are established. It is very difficult and time consuming to tame an older kitten or adult and the outcome is uncertain. It is stressful for both the cat and the caretaker. People who have been working with feral cats believe that following neutering, ear tipping, and vaccination, a cat whose home is outdoors with adequate food, water and shelter should stay with its colony. |