When we do a Trap Neuter Release [TNR] the cat gets a rabies vaccine. If that is handled through the shelter they do not get a tag because they know that cat's going to be re-released and no one's ever going to need to prove it was vaccinated. If anyone has any doubts they can just see that it's got a clipped ear and know that it's already been done.
But if it's done through a veterinary office, you get the tag. But the tag doesn't follow the cat. So I have a pile of rabies tags.
Keep thinking I need to get all the rabies tags that all the other TNR people have and do some kind of art project with them. Maybe get it put up at a local watering hole with a plea for people to donate to our local SPCA to help fund this work.
Future recipients of rabies tags:
Because they came from the wild. It's the space they know. They know where the food, water and shelter are. These aren't cute cuddly kittens. These are adult feral cats that will rip your face off. They can't be adopted. The alternative is euthanasia. So we put them back where we find them.
Unless we notice something weird. We caught one that wasn't coming out of sedation correctly. Very cold and twitching. We cuddled them up and kept them warm. We knew we weren't in danger because they were really not able to manage themself much less attack us.
They recovered and we kept them for observation for a few days. Dude was chill. We found that he had some kind of neurological issues. His back legs never worked correctly. We adopted him because there was no chance of him surviving in the wild. He was with us for just a couple of years before his kidneys failed.
But most cats, 99%, aren't chill. They will ram themselves against the trap. They will claw and bite you. Cats aren't domesticated. They are feral animals that with proper upbringing we trap in a kitten mentality. If they grow up without humans they will be the apex predators that will do everything possible to show you that they would rather die than give you control.
So yes. The wild. Because it's the best place for them.
How do we prevent this? Fix yo damn pets. Until everyone does that there is an army of volunteers putting them back where they found them but incapable of creating more cats and spreading rabies.
(Emphasis mine)
... And now I'm going to hear, "Bow down before the one you serve; you're going to get what you deserve," in the context of a cat who feels that she deserves our worship. That song will never be the same again.
Meow down before the one you serve
I can't take that away from you.
These programs are in my opinion one of the cases of least evil. It does help the population not continue to grow and stops diseases and such.
The release part has no better answer, other then (almost always) putting them down. The impact those cats have on the environment ie birds, squirrels and practically everything else that moves and is small ish is horible and I wish that an answer for that could be done. I wish we had a better way
Same