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Dear Editor,

The name of organization here applauds the efforts of concerned citizens working to reduce cat overpopulation but feels that the solution described in the recent article about Feral Felines incorrectly addresses the complete problem of free roaming cats.

The overpopulation of free-roaming cats is a human-caused problem that affects the health and well-being of cats and our native wildlife. Outdoor cats, even well-fed ones, kill hundreds of millions of wild birds and other animals each year in the U.S., including endangered species. Birds that nest or feed on the ground are especially vulnerable to cat attacks.

Trap Neuter Release program that was promoted in the Name of publication here article on date here is not humane to the cats or the wildlife and they do not solve the cat overpopulation problem. Free-roaming cats are in constant danger from being hit by cars, contracting diseases and parasites, or being attacked by other animals or people. Cats can transmit diseases to humans such as rabies, toxoplasmosis, and cat scratch fever. In the U.S., cats are the top carrier of rabies in domestic animals.

Not all the cats can be trapped and the cat food attracts more cats. Colonies often become dumping grounds for unwanted pets, thus continuing the inhumane cycle. In addition, the cat food attracts rats, raccoon, opossum, skunk, fox, and coyote--all predators of birds and carriers of diseases, such as rabies, which can be transmitted to humans.

People concerned about these cats should work to find homes for the unwanted pets and educate pet owners about keeping their cats indoors. Through the Cats Indoors! campaign, American Bird Conservancy (ABC) and its many partners, including The Humane Society of the United States and American Humane Association, encourage people to keep their cats indoors, train them to go outside on a harness and leash, or build outdoor cat enclosures. Cats should be spayed or neutered before they can produce an unwanted litter, and should never be abandoned because it is often illegal and it is cruel to cats, birds, and other wildlife.

For more information, visit www.abcbirds.org/cats/catsindoors.htm.

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