We write in response to Des FitzGerald’s recent piece (“Maine Voices: We can love our cats and keep them from decimating the bird population,” March 27).

There is much we can all agree with: Roaming cats kill birds; cats can be acclimated to indoor living; outdoor enclosures are a good option for letting a cat outside; cats should be neutered and vaccinated.

However, there are a few statements by the author that I disagree with. The first step is not more legislation, but to educate the cat-owning public – unneutered pet cats keep the feral population growing. Cats do not become feral by choice. Often they have been abandoned by a human and do what they have to do to survive.

Trap-neuter-release programs do work, and they do not cost the public a dime. Organizations doing this are nonprofits run by volunteers, like Alley Cat Allies and Friends of Feral Felines.

Many trapped feral cats are adopted into good homes and become cherished pets. They have no interest in going back “out there.” Those who cannot be socialized are neutered, vaccinated and, for the most part, are found homes on farms or in businesses in need of rodent control. Feral cats make a huge dent in the vermin population in places where they are released, and there are frequent requests for these working felines.

Let’s help birds and cats: Neuter and vaccinate your cat and keep it inside!

Sylvia Sullivan and Abel Bates
Raymond

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