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Community Corner

FERAL CATS in Hatboro

Feral Cats Problem??  I have a colony near my house (Horsham & Continental Roads)... a neighbor feeds them and since moving in last August there have been two additional litters. 

Folks feed them, thinking they are doing a good thing.  But... without vaccinations and with multiple litters and un-neutered male cat fights, the life expectancy of feral cats is 3-4 years, as oppossed to those felines who share our indoor home/hearth of 10+ years.  Very sad. 

So, I connected with Stray Cat Blues (www.straycatblues.org) for help with a TNR program.  TNR - Trap, Neuter, Return - relies on donations and public assistance to trap feral cats, have them properly neutered and vaccinated, and returned to the colony.  Humane.  In my case - over two weeks - 8 young cats have been TNRed... and 5 of them are female.  Sigh.  Can you imagine how the neighborhood would be overrun... cats as young as six months can have litters, and two litters per year.

Not everyone may believe in TNR.  Some may think euthanasia is better (but in many cases, other feral/stray cats end up coming to the feeder's house and so the problem continues) or that the feeder should just stop feeding (but then the colony just relocates to a new feeding location). 

I personally don't believe in and don't feed them, but I do believe in taking care of the colony that is there.  TNR will eventually - if the folks feeding the cats cooperate - will lead to the reduction and elimination of the colony. 

The highest level of success for TNR programs is for the feeder to actually participate; otherwise, the success of eventual elimination of the colony is seriously compromised.

Had I known there were 15+ (and growing) cats next door, I would likely not have purchased in Hatboro.  It's very sad to be in my home and think of them out in the cold and wet....

So.  If you are an animal lover and/or interested in a healthy community with good property resale value... please consider participating in a TNR program in Hatboro.  You can get the facts and the details from Stray Cat Blues or www.alleycat.org

Need more information?  My cell phone number is 215-869-5753.  Thanks for your interest and your help!!  Liz Walsh

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