Readers share thoughts on animals and pass kudos to a county
supervisor
What the Trap, Neuter and Release Program is Really All About
Dear Editor,
Thank you for your local opinions question about feral cat colonies. In reading the responses, you can immediately see that a major problem is lack of knowledge about how the trap, neuter, release program works and who manages these colonies.
Mr. Eaton, releasing them back into their areas does not cause the problem. Once they are neutered, they are free to live out their lives without multiplying. Not releasing them back leaves the area “free” for other ferals who are not neutered to take over.
It is naive to think that once you kill all of the ferals in a colony that the problem will be solved and you will not have ferals in that area.
Ms. Patterson, if we do not trap, neuter, and release these ferals they suffer. If we are not out there managing the colony, the sick animals will be left to suffer and die. When we trap, sick animals are kept until they are well or euthanized if they are beyond hope.
Ms. Garcia, you bring up a good question. Who, exactly, manages these colonies? Volunteers, that’s who. We work tirelessly every day of the year to care for these unwanted animals. We give our time and money to help these animals that unfeeling people threw away. Remember, these cats did not originally come from some wild area. They are originally someone’s pet or a descendant of one.
Ms. Barrena, the “people’s cats” in your yard most likely belong to your neighbors. Perhaps you can educate them on responsible pet ownership.
Ms. Howard, you’re correct that we should not be wantonly euthanizing animals just because they are unwanted, but it is much healthier for them and people if they are trapped, neutered and released. They won’t multiply and they are given all of the vaccinations that your pet gets.
Ms. Brittan, you also bring up an extremely important issue. Unfeeling people dump animals out in the country. This is not only heartless but these animals usually suffer and die. They are pets and do not have the skills to survive in the wild. Of course, the pets that are dumped are usually not neutered either. If they do happen to survive, they add to the feral population if you do not trap, neuter, and release them. Also, a good number of cats that are trapped as ferals are not feral. If they are found to be cats that are obviously used to people, we keep them and try to find them homes.
The upbeat part of being involved in this issue is that I have met many wonderful, caring people who give so much of themselves to help any animal in need. In this throw away world, it’s so nice to find that there are still responsible, caring individuals that volunteer so much. The only pay they get is the good feeling of knowing they are doing something positive for a living being that has no voice. People caused this issue and people need to realize that killing them is not the answer.
Marie Barnes, Gilroy
Supervisor Wrote ‘So Clearly What Many of Us Have Been Thinking’
Dear Editor,
Thanks to Supervisor Gage for writing so clearly what many of us have been thinking about some campaign tactics (Letters to Editor, Oct. 6).
I agree that our city and its employees have been doing a great job over the years, and I appreciate Supervisor Gage, with his credentials, speaking out.
Sue Kruse, Gilroy
