Feral Cats

Veterinarian answers questions about dealing with feral cats

April 5th, 2009 |

Author: admin

Observer-Dispatch
Posted Apr 04, 2009 @ 08:32 PM

Questions and answers with Dr. Greg Jamrosz, associate veterinarian, New Hartford Animal Hospital and Care Center in Washington Mills.

Question: I understand you were instrumental in starting the TNVR (Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return) clinic at Spring Farm CARES. What gave you the idea?

Answer: I read about a TNVR program started by a veterinarian in Syracuse (Dr. Lynne Swanson). I met with her and obtained the ideas, forms and advice needed to run a clinic. I attended one of their clinics, then we held a clinic with volunteers from both programs.

Q: When did the program begin and how many cats have been spayed/neutered?

A: Our first full year of clinics was in 2000. Since then, 2,959 cats have been neutered.

Q: How is the program funded?

A: Clinic supplies and equipment are purchased by Spring Farm CARES through contributions from supporters/donors. It is a 501C(3) not-for-profit organization. Labor is provided on a volunteer basis by veterinarians, veterinary professionals and dedicated individuals who believe in this cause.

Q: Some say TNVR programs work better than trapping and euthanizing or adopting out cats. Why?

A: Cats move into an area because of available resources: shelter, food and water. If you remove all the cats from a prime location, more cats will move in and the cycle will repeat. You would have to remove the source of the cats … pets who are abandoned or go astray. Although this first generation may be adoptable, their offspring are not properly socialized and are rarely adoptable. Most are fearful and aggressive toward people and would not make good pets. Also, shelter officials will tell you that there is already an over-abundance of cats and kittens and a shortage of good homes. Clinics stop the growth of colonies by halting reproduction. The cats never go away … their numbers are kept at a level we can tolerate and they live healthier lives.

Q: Can pregnant cats be spayed?

A: Most of our volunteers find this disturbing, but we sometimes have to do it. If a female has full-term kittens in her before she is fully anesthetized, we look for a foster home where she can deliver her kittens and make arrangements for them to be adopted out.

Q: Is there a limit to the number of cats that can be brought to the clinic?

A: Since we require cats be confined to traps or cages for a minimum of three days, we usually limit each person to 12 cats.

Q: Why do cats have their ears tipped (cropped)?

A: So they can be recognized from a distance as already neutered and will not be put through anesthesia and surgery unnecessarily if they are caught and brought to the clinic or a veterinary hospital.

Q: Which local communities have problems with feral cats?

A: We have had cats come in from all over Oneida, Herkimer and Madison counties and have worked with groups from Dolgeville and Watertown. The problem seems to be everywhere.

Q: Is there any way for community members to get involved?

A: If we could educate people to neuter their pets and keep their cats indoors it would help. Dumping unwanted cats and assuming they will survive on their own or find a home is also a big problem.

Q: When are the clinics this year?

A: April 26, May 17, June 7, Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8 and Dec. 6. For reservations, call Spring Farms CARES at 737-9339. A telephone interview will determine if cats are eligible for the clinic. Pets are not allowed. Also, this is “field surgery.” It is adequate, but not optimal, to safeguard the health of cats and outcome of the surgery. Spring Farm CARES’ Happy Hearth program handles neutering services for pets in veterinary hospitals.

Q: What do you personally get out of your involvement in the program?

A: Two things: We often hear criticism that veterinarians are only interested in making money. This is an opportunity to use my best skills to help the community and animals and prove critics wrong. It is also a chance to address a serious animal welfare problem that no other program in our area does.