You’ve Gotta Love ’Em For It

[Catherine]

I did not know the feral cat situation in the lower mainland area was so bad. Vancouver is just warm enough for feral cats to survive and multiply.   The city needs to take action. The problem will only get worse as the cats keep multiplying.

Toronto has a very organized Trap-Neuter-Release program going. All the different shelters and cat rescues are working together on this. The Toronto Humane Society opened a spay/neuter clinic. It provides cheap neutering services to pet owners. That helps with the pet population.
Feral cats are humanely trapped, brought in to the THS facilities on a set day. The vets give their time and neuter them all. Friendly cats are kept and homes are found for them. Truly feral cats are returned to their location and the colony is fed and shelter provided. They have taken care of hundreds, probably thousands of cats.  It is a slow process, but the numbers are dropping. There are less street cats being born so over time there are less street cats.  Since people do not have countless litters of unwanted kittens there are less cats ending up on the streets.

Surrey is going to have to set up a program like this. It is the only way to get on top of the feral cat issue.

I want to see cats in every nursing home and seniors building. People with animals are so much happier. They have a reason to keep living. Caring for another is so necessary to our own well being.