Stop feeding the cats
I think everyone living in Alfred, on or off campus, will agree that there is a problem with stray cats here.
The cats simply seem to be everywhere. I have talked to people on campus that have seen them in the dumpsters, or seen them try to enter dormitories. I live off campus, and from my dining room window I have counted twelve in one field of vision.
I have come home to find kitten footprints on my car windshield. They sit on my fire escape and look into my windows and I can see them physically shivering when it is cold outside. One of them only has one eye; my roommate and I have nicknamed it Cyclops. And some of these cats are clingy. My roommate made the mistake of picking one up once, and it followed her all of the way to GJ’s. And then when she was leaving, it was waiting for her outside. Another friend of mine decided he wanted to open my window and pet one, and it tried to come into my apartment. Regardless, nothing prepared me for the time I came home to see two cats procreating on my fire escape, only for the male cat to immediately run off and find a different cat to mate with in the backyard. No wonder there are so many cats; they are multiplying!
I personally do not feed the cats because I don’t think it’s right to help extend their lives of misery. However, the neighbors on both sides of me feed them regularly, which is honestly terrifying. The cat problem is only going to get worse if we are feeding them. And having too many stray cats can seriously disrupt and ecosystem. According to the American Bird Conservatory’s (ABC) “Cats Indoors” Campaign, stray and feral cats prey on populations of birds and other wildlife that native animal species naturally prey on. These cats create an unnatural competitive environment for animals such as native hawks and owls. The animals that the cats prey on are an important component of a diverse ecosystem. Because feral cats often exist in high density colonies, they are able to out-compete native predators, which upsets the natural ecological balance.
Cats are often attracted to one area because someone is feeding them, and thus they form colonies there. This is precisely what is happening on South Main Street. Cat populations can grow rapidly, as female cats can have as many as three litters per year. Three liters can easily yield 10 new members to the colony per year. A small colony with only 2 breeding females can grow to over 100 cats in less than 2 years. As a population becomes larger, cats become more susceptible to diseases. These diseases, such as rabies, parasites, and cat scratch fever, may be transferred to local domesticated cats or even humans.
So what can be done about the cats? Most area shelters are full. Adopting one is risky considering they may be feral or have serious health problems that are costly to fix. Killing the cats may be cruel and expensive. Luckily, a group called Feral Cat Focus of Western New York has begun a free Trap/Neuter/Vaccinate/Return (TVNR) program for people willing to trap cats and bring them in. TVNR programs appear to be effective, because they are humane and keep the cats from reproducing. Although the ABC opposes TVNR programs because cats remain outside (which is a risk for the ABC’s beloved song birds), I believe that Feral Cat Focus’ program is an extremely important step to helping take care of our cat problem.
I realize that it might be unrealistic to expect college students to trap cats and get them fixed. However, something we can all do is STOP FEEDING THE CATS. Feeding the cats is not helping the problem, so please don't do it.
