Keep tabs on Tabby

The expanding population of feral cats is a problem in Deschutes County and across the country.

The cats have become a serious threat to indigenous birds, mammals and reptiles. They deplete small fauna and as the condition of the cats deteriorates, diseases strike not only the feral cats but also pet cats and indigenous felines, such as cougar and bobcats.

Nature is harsh on these renegades. One of the first sicknesses to manifest itself is cat distemper. Even though this will result in the death of 80 percent of feral cat colonies, the populations will only drop for about a year.

The frigid temperatures of winter also help to reduce feral cats, and great horned owls, and coyotes -- plus people who will not tolerate feral animals prying on wildlife around their homes -- eliminate a few more.

But in spite of all these factors, every time I give nature talks -- whether close to home or in another state -- I am bombarded with stories about the increased destruction due to the so-called, "pet" cats.

And at least once a week I get a phone call from someone in this end of Deschutes County who is very upset about their neighbor's cat, or a feral animal patrolling a bird-feeder.

This is not a problem that's going to just up and go away. According to a report on feral cats by Kenneth and Tanya Pruse, some female cats reach their breeding time at anywhere from four to seven months, depending on the breed. The outcome is that one female cat and her young can produce 420,000 cats in the short span of seven years.

Studies have demonstrated that one feral cat living off the land requires about 300 grams of flesh per day to survive, which equals approximately 3,600 small animals a year.

In Florida, feral cats are a grim threat to an endangered species of beach mice. Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish biologist, Dr. Jeff Gore, has been studying the mice for several years, and remarked recently, "As the cat tracks begin to be more noticeable along the beaches, we see a severe decline in beach mice."

Arizona has lumped their feral cats along with all the other agrarian animals in the state, such as goats. If a land-owner has a problem with unwanted cats or goats on his property he can do what he likes with them.

There are approximately 8,000 to 20,000 feral cats prowling about Deschutes County. That spells big problems for our jackrabbits, cottontails, desert chipmunks, golden mantel ground squirrels, towhees, quail, fence, sagebrush and pygmy lizards, and other ground-dwelling wildlife.

Elsewhere in Oregon the problem of feral cats has become an emotional issue in some places. There are those who think of feral cats as tamable, and therefore harmless, and there are others who believe that the only good feral cat is a dead one.

Or they can be trapped. Some feed stores will rent a cat-sized live-trap for $10 per day.

But what do you do if you catch a cat? I have caught my neighbor's cats several times in a live-trap, and I spray them liberally with a garden hose before turning them loose. That usually stops the cat from coming back to my place -- but it doesn't cure the problem over the long run.

Some people I've talked to don't take the time to ask that question; they "catch and kill." For myself, I observe the animal closely and look for a collar with a name tag, then I could call the cat's owner and ask them to come and get it, but I've never caught one with a collar -- or a bell.

If the cat charges me while in the trap, spitting and growling, I know I've caught a feral cat, and I euthanize it immediately.

If there's a question about the cat you catch -- whether it's feral, stray or someone's "baby," I suggest taking it to the Humane Society. However, that'll cost you $5 per cat. If it's obviously a feral cat it will be euthanized. If, on the other hand, the cat appears to be tame, it will be held for three days for adoption.

Of the approximately 4,000 cats and kittens brought to the Humane Society each year, about 50 percent of them are adopted.

The long-term solution to obtaining any degree of control over feral and stray cats is to keep "indoor cats" and have them neutered. This idea was introduced several years ago by past director of the Deschutes Humane Society, Troy Kerstetter.

At the time not many people thought it would work, but as feral cat populations continue to explode nationwide the concept of keeping your cat at home sounds more and more like a good idea.

Cat owners are in the same boat as any other pet or livestock owner, ultimately they must be responsible for the actions, safety and welfare of their animals, whether they want to or not.