The New York Times ran an article last month about a Cat count in Washington DC. It sounds as though they are practically going door-to-door to count every cat in the city. They’re also documenting feral cats using cameras and other clandestine tactics. I’m not sure what they’ll do once all of the cats are accounted for. Feral cats are protected by TNR (Trap, neuter and release) policies. The article mentioned that some believe cats have contributed to the extinction of at least 63 species, however, so I’m sure there’s going to be an attempt to change the TNR policy.
As a matter of fact that might be the reason why they are counting cats. Some groups
believe TNR isn’t working and they want to return to the old “lethal” way of handling the overpopulation of feral cats.
Representatives of PETA say that if you feed a cat, you should also be responsible for his medical care and well being. I think that’s the goal of most who try to care for feral cats or homeless cats who wander onto their property. But it sounds as though they and others are rallying for stricter laws. It doesn’t seem as though the TNR program is the whole and complete answer for the horrendous overpopulation we have of cats here in America and the world. I don’t know about you, but I’m interested to see what comes of the DC count.
