dogs must be leashed and aren't allowed to roam so the same should be done for
cats. catch, neuter (for free), and release back to their territory is ridiculous!
Cats use our gardens for their toilets and many people are allergic to cats.
STUPID WASTE OF TAXPAYERS MONTY.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SazBzvQ0ZAM&feature=related

@Perter - Wake up! Who do you think pays the salary and benefits packages for the
City of Lakewood's Animal Wardens? Tax payers. Feral cats have fleas, worms, and other
nasty diseases. If you think they are so innocent then bring them into your home and keep
them inside. Yes, I clean dog poop off of my yard too, but most of the people I see walking their
dogs are equipped with bags and do clean up after them.

Cat urine stinks up the neighborhood, especially on a hot summer's night.

Although Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) advocates and feral cat colony maintainers have admirable sympathies for fellow creatures (feral cats), I wonder where their sympathy is for the vast number of native creatures that non-native feral cats kill or maim? Where is their sympathy for the children who are at risk of contracting injury, diseases or parasites from roaming feral cats?

It is virtually impossible to annually capture and vaccinate all members of significant feral cat colonies. This is because after the first time or two they are captured, feral cats tend to avoid traps. It is also due to other causes — including the roaming tendencies of tomcats, as well as the difficulty of capturing some wary individuals even for the first time. For similar reasons, it is also very difficult to capture and spay/neuter 100 percent of the feral cats at any given colony, especially before they reproduce. Feral cat colonies pose human health risks. They are what epidemiologists call "disease reservoirs" — the colonies harbor diseases in unvaccinated members over the long term. Members of feral cat colonies spread diseases and parasites via bites, scratches, and fecal contamination (of beach sand, children's sandboxes, vegetable gardens, and flower beds to name a few vectors). Such diseases and parasites include rabies, toxoplasmosis, roundworm, hookworm, and others. Feral cats also harbor and spread fleas and ticks.

Dogs cannot run wild in the city so cats should not be allowed to either.
Don't feed me the story that cats are natural hunters, as all animals not
living in a controlled environment will turn to their wild nature.
Cats need to be licensed just like dogs. No double standard should be
given for the benefit of cat lovers.

As a member of LASWAB, I am thrilled to see such interest in this issue.

I encourage Amy Pazone and Tony Swenster (and any other interested citizen) to attend our next public LASWAB meeting which will be held on July 28 at City Hall.

Only through working together as a community will we achieve a sensible and fair solution. May I count on you attending?

TNR is not effective, a danger to the environment, a public health risk, an infringement on property rights, and not so humane for domestic cats. Lowering euthanasia rates does not result in fewer ferals on the streets. If residents do not want TNR to become the legal norm for their town, they had best speak up at public hearings and write letters to officials. Pilot program? Sure...then what happens after the cats have been TNR'd/established, but the colony is growing due to immigration and dumping and causing problems? Try removing the cats THEN! What a battle you folks are in for!

Take note from the experts, not TNR advocates whose sole focus is to avoid euthanasia of feral cats.

http://www.abcbirds.org/abcprograms/policy/cats/tnr.html

http://www.aawv.net/FeralCatAlteringPrograms_files/frame.htm

http://www.frontiersman.com/articles/2011/02/14/local_news/doc4d576dd4661b9468027852.txt

http://www.nih.gov/news/health/may2011/niaid-25.htm

http://tnrrealitycheck.com/studies.asp

http://www.peta.org/living/companion-animals/feral-cats.aspx

http://www.northcoastjournal.com/news/2011/05/26/rabies-survivor/

@ CatsIndoors - Will we see you at our July 28th meeting at Lakewood City Hall? We need all the perspective we can muster!

I HAAAAAAAATE cat poo in my garden and I hate knuckle heads who leave their dog's poop on other peoples property! I love both species but hate irresponsablity of others. I keep my kitties inside and clean up after my dog why can't others? The first thing I did is spay and neuter my animals. As far as the allowing domestic or feral cats to roam freely I say BOOOOO! They are pradatory to other wild critters and are not a natural part of the "food chain".

Why are we blaming the cats in this all too common situation. Animals that roam are doing so because of the PEOPLE that allow them to. If you are going to bring an animal home, it is your responsibility to give them an indoor home, healthcare and alter them to reduce health risks and overpopulation. It is the fault of the HUMANS that the circumstances are of city council importance. Don't blame the animals for the fault of the people that failed them. Cities are trying to clean up the mess that the human race created. Bravo to the responsible pet owners that take on the role of the responsible party in the well being of the animal they chose to share their life and home with.

@Amy - I don't think anyone is blaming cats. You are right. This is a human caused problem. Cats hunt out of instinct - it is what they do. They may want to roam, they poop like every other animal... It is up to humans not to allow them to roam, not to dump them when they are no longer wanted, and not to return them back outside where they don't belong.

@ Peter - Not coming to meeting - I don't live in Ohio.

Also, keep in mind, it is extremely hard to educate pet owners and ask them to be responsible for their pets while condoning a program that essentially re-abandons domestic animals to the wild. While many may be against euthanasia, sending the cats back outdoors in no way elevates the status or value of the domestic cat. Cats need to be treated like dogs - they are both companion animals dependent upon humans. They should be licensed and not permitted to roam.

@ CatsIndoor - I kind of figured you are not coming to the meeting, as I know your modus operandi (which is very obvious by tracking the numerous similar posts you make on Patch sites across the nation).

I realize that is hard to educate pet owners, but I intend to fight that fight! Thanks for your input!

While an animal that has been left to survive the elements on its own is a sad sight to see, there are images that are bit more frightening. Say, perhaps, that no one decided to do anything about the growing stray cat population... we would witness a steady increase and no solution. Through my eyes, I see someone has decided to do something, and while it may not be the ideal fix right now, it's possible to implement and may lead to a better possibility in the future.

Valerie, the problem is that things could get worse, not better. The theory of TNR and the reality of TNR are two different things. This method does not take place in a closed system. There is a constant steady increase of cats - TNR or not. The way things will change is people have to be better pet owners - and I don't see that happening as long as we condone outdoor lives and deaths for cats.

Once one of these volunteers catches a cat and has surgery performed on them that could be perceived as ownership. Therefore, releasing said animal would be a violation of Lakewood Code # 505.02 DOGS AND OTHER ANIMALS RUNNING AT LARGE.

(a) No person being the owner or having charge of any animals or fowl of any kind in the City shall allow or permit such animals or fowl to run at large upon any public place, or upon any unenclosed lands, or upon the premises of another.

(b) No person who is the owner or in charge or control of any dog or cat, whether wearing a registration tag or not, shall permit such dog or cat to run at large within the City. Unauthorized entry by such dog or cat, upon the premises of another or upon any public street or ground shall constitute "running at large" within the meaning of this section.

(d) The owner, keeper or harborer of a dog or other animal or fowl who permits it to run at large in violation of this section shall, in addition to the penalty provided in subsection (f) hereof, be liable for all damages caused by such dog or other animal or fowl upon the premises of another.

@CatsIndoors - Of course your input will be included (even if you aren't a Lakewood resident). ALL input will be considered (which is the purpose of the LASWAB)

Mary - at the June 6 City Council meeting, there was discussion about changing Section # 505.02 so including: "this section not apply to persons operating under the guidelines of a program approved by the Director of Public safety providing for the trapping, spaying and neutering, and releasing of cats and dogs with the purpose of reducing the unwanted stray-animal population. " I do not know if this was passed, or sent to committee.

Duh! Here's an idea. Lets treat feral cats like stray dogs. The law that gives them this status may have worked back in the day, but clearly isn't working now. Those apposed to this idea should take one of these cats into their homes, but that won't happen.

@ lee russell - "Lets treat feral cats like stray dogs." Can you be more specific? I'm not sure where you are heading with this.

@CatIndoors - Thanks again for your input ... but I must say, at this point, the repetative nature of your posts are beginning to taste like spam. It is obvious that you don't think TNR could play any positive role alleviating cat overpopulation.

For the sake of my information gathering efforts regarding this matter, could you please let me know what you suggest? Or point me to an online resource that illustrates/explains/ defines your suggested solution? Do I understand your belief to be that cats should not live outdoors? Thanks.

Oh, and if it was not clear, I believe in cat removal. Tame them if possible, find homes, find a sanctuary for the really feral ones, set up an enclosure or fencing on private property...if none of that will work or is unavailable or not feasible, I believe euthanasia is more compassionate than TNR, as does PETA.

Thanks, again, CatIndoors - Well there you have it ... if PETA believe something, it must be "Scripture."

The LASWAB looks forward to a lively discussion of this matter.

Who said anything about scripture? I share their view - end of story.

CATSINDOORS---give me a break...you're saying it's ok to KILL a cat (that's what euthanasia is; it's just a fancy word for killing) if you can't find it a home? That's absurd and cruel. If the rules were the same for humans you'd be thinking differently. Wow. Obviously NOT a cat lover. I will be at ANY meeting involving this. I don't want to re-release them of course but I understand that I cannot keep them all.

Ok, you probably already read my last comment which I accidentally deleted. If not here goes....I don't understand people's thinking that putting a cat down is better for him or her. I don't get it and I will NOT be part of it and shame on the people who are. It's a life we are talking about. Yes, there are scary things that can happen to them; I think/worry about it just abt every single minute. But Killing a cat isn't the answer. We can all do the best we can at trapping & fixing & releasing or possibly finding homes. I will fight to the bitter end if the city advocates for killing cats just to get them off the streets. They better not put the money towards that. I won't be a part of that. I will, if they can help, trap & release.
It IS a needless loss, you're right, to kill an innocent animal. I won't have that on my conscience and it's sad to whoever else does. Some of them might be pets. I am currently taking care of abt a 6 mo old kitten now trying to find her a home. So far nothing but she will NOT go to the APL. I'm trying to get her in a no-kill shelter. Waiting on responses.
And in the winter at our house we have a little something on our porch that is insulated that a few cats can go warm up in...and they do. That's all I've got to say right now.

If I had the money I would enclose my porch and pay to fix any injured kitties up. As it is I do that now. It's hard especially with one of our kitties on an inhaler & heart disease meds. I would feel horrible, yes, if something happened to that cat but I would feel worse for killing an innocent animal. period. My mind won't change. I know that there's lots of variables to this but I am not one for killing & again, if the city tries to pay for THAT part of it, I will fight it. I won't be a part of it. I worry about it constantly but taking a life doesn't make it any better, not knowing for sure if that cat would've found a loving home or not.

It DOES bother me abt the wildlife, true. But that's what cats do; that's a form of food for them. They're born & raised hunters. To be honest, the ones that visit my porch (at least when they're around) don't go after birds. Sounds odd, I know. And they Could maybe after they leave my house. But I've seen PLENTY of birds around them before & the ones I have now that come for food/shelter...they do NOT bother them. Believe it or not.

Christina, that is not a form of food for them. They hunt out of instinct - not out of hunger - two different mechanisms in the cat's brain. But, wildlife is a form of food for native wild predators - that is ecological balance - the domestic cat is a non-native, invasive predator and is responsible for the deaths of nearly one billion birds each year and even more small mammals, plus herpetofauna. The domestic cat has no natural habitat anywhere in North America. You may not see the carnage but this does happen - not to mention the myriad of diseases that can be transmitted to both wildlife and humans. I know your mind won't change, as neither will mine, but if not for the sake of wildlife, then for the cats, make a decision based on quality, not quantity. Help those you can by providing them a comfortably confined space, like an enclosed porch. They will tame easier, you may be able to adopt some out, you will be able to observe them and get them the regular vet care they deserve, and the beauty of all this is, you'd be choosing an outcome that does not destroy our natural resources.

The cats do not hunt unless we let them.

My brother & sister-in-law are part of a TNR program in Cleveland. They are one among MANY who do this & the strays they've helped....well, I'd have to say most are still around. They can PROVE this by pictures they take a lot of. It's not a bad thing. It really isn't. Still troubled by the fact that others think it IS bad.

I do feel bad for the birds as well but I can't stop all of the cats. And I can't justify killing a cat because of a bird. Doesn't make any sense to me. I can't wait to see what the city has to say about all of this because to me, TNR is the best route to go. Giving them a chance. I'm obviously an avid cat lover & always will be I'm sure. Some aren't, and, well, I'm not sure what to say to that other than give a cat a chance. That's all.

That is just anecdotal evidence - not the science behind this method. Do some research, you'll see how bad this can be.

http://www.abcbirds.org/abcprograms/policy/cats/pdf/Management_claims_feral_cats.pdf

People think they are doing a good thing - but there is too much collateral damage from this method.

I don't think nature's way is to kill something to let something else live. The cat deserves a chance no matter WHAT research may say. The cats deserve to live freely as well. Once I trap that cat, if Lakewood adapts the program, yes, it's my responsibility to get it fixed & release it. That's what TNR is all about. You mentioned before that what if a cat wanders off sick and dies a horrible death....what about birds? They can do that too. It's sad we can't save everything but we should do what we can and saving doesn't include senselessly killing an animal that COULD have a GREAT chance at life. I feed them & shelter them. They aren't MY cats persay but I help them out and will continue to do so even if the TNR goes through.Actually, whether it does or not.

Cats are not part of 'nature' - that is the point. The cat deserves a chance to live, but not at the expense of wildlife or public health. That is why they should be kept indoors or confined to a property.

You don't seem to understand that wild animals have a native habitat - yes, that can happen to birds, and people will sometimes intervene and take those wild animals to rehab places if an animal gets hit by a car or weed-wacked or flys into a building or attacked by a cat or dog and so on.

If saving does not include senseless killing, then you should never send a cat back outdoors to do that - period. Take full responsibility and own the animal, provide for the animal, and keep the animal from doing harm.

Your response is typical from TNR folks - cats first, cats last, cat only. Nothing else matters.

My cats are all indoors and will stay that way. I don't know if you have cats but I hope you don't as you don't seem to care all that much about cats. I've saved birds from cats so don't tell me cats this, etc etc. I try to help EVERYTHING I come across whether a bird or cat. You obviously don't care much for cats and that's sad. Whatever the case, if you think senseless killing of a cat is ok then you're sadly mistaken. Way WAY back in the WAY old days there wasn't anything like this and many cats wandered. That's how it was and still is and to take the life of a cat away and using a poor excuse of "It's humane or it's the only way" isn't right and I hope one day you'll see that. I wonder if you'll be at this meeting on the 28th. I know many people feel the way I do. You're only one of whom I know that feels the opposite. Killing innocent animals is wrong. And hopefully you never actually do it because nobody will be thank you for it, especially the cat whose life you're about to take away.

So any cat you see on the street you're going to trap and have put down? You are definitely Not a cat person then. If you trap a cat and it's obviously sick then it might be ethical. But to take any ol' cat that is completely healthy without testing it first, is sadistic and wrong. UNethical. Establishing a neutered population of feral cats can keep intact feral numbers Low in the neutered population territory. I don't understand how you can like cats with this sort of belief you have. Test the cat first at least. You don't have the right, NOBODY should have the right just to dispose of a cat like that.

You are entitled to your opinion, but you are meowing up the wrong tree. I am well within my right to trap a cat and have the ACO impound the cat. You, however, could be in violation of local laws and in fact, TNR is in conflict with the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and if endangered species are involved, the Endangered Species Act.

Cats, btw, do not defend their territories. TNR takes away the two things that make a cat want to defend - breeding rights and lack of food.

I left a comment and now it's gone. I'm going to try to reply again & see what happens.....

Oh, cats DO defend their territories. Not sure where you got your information but I've seen it time & time again as well as many other cat lovers I know. Especially with outdoor cats I see it.

How could I be in violation of any local laws??? I've done NOTHING wrong. Do you mean with the TNR program? If so then why would Lakewood even be CONSIDERING it? Come on. Many other cities, and not just in Ohio, DO this to help SAVE cats. They don't want to senselessly put them down just because they are strays.

I DID say I try to save everything (birds, etc.) but cannot. Not sure if that was in my deleted comment because not all of my comments are showing up on here & it's hard to have a conversation when that happens. I've been in contact with local wildlife officials abt all sorts of things.

Then if you have cats or even outside cats around you, I pray for them & for you to Stop trapping cats & having them put down withOUT even testing them. How humane is that?? If they are sick, then fine. But if they are not then you Shouldn't do it. I just pray that you stop and actually THINK about what you are doing when you do it. There is NO way a cat would thank you about this. And you say you have cats and love them then how could you do this to another fellow cat? It shouldn't be in our rights to do what you are saying. I wish that would change but I somehow think it won't. Very sad.

And there are studies that will say they ARE territorial. Ask any vet. Not sure where you got your information from. There ARE cats that don't let others join their colonies. I really don't know how you think differently. I've seen it personally but then again, you probably don't believe it. I pray for the wildlife as well as the cats.

There are NO ordinances that have anything to do with TNR as we don't HAVE that program yet. I'm not in ANY violation so I have NO clue what you're talking about. There are cats around and they aren't mine. I can't help how many roam. How would I be responsible? I suggest you check your facts. And if you're into putting cats down, then I still pray you change your mind. It's NOT humane. Something is wrong if you think it is, to not give them a second chance. Very sad.

And who's to say that the cat will die a painful death? That's not always the case and you know that, or at least I'd hope you do.

I just don't understand why you wouldn't TEST the cat first then if it's sick let it go. It did nothing to you; why do anything to it? You aren't saving a cat; you're taking its life and for what? It's because you don't want it running around ruining things maybe? It can't be just because of your love for cats because that isn't love.

I saw that 2 other people left comments. Received the information in my email yet it's not showing up here?? Either way, I hope they see this and just wanted to say that I'm glad someone else besides me thinks that cats aren't as bad as some people make them out to be. And yeah, mosquitoes are another concern that we should turn some of our attention to.