Feral cats are estimated to number between 30 and 60 million animals in the United States. But this number is steadily declining thanks to dedicated volunteers all over the country, including many here in San Luis Obispo County.

Feral cats are created by people who either dump their domestic cats, or otherwise abandon them; they can also be their offspring who are born and raised in the wild. Without human contact, and struggling to survive, these cats can be seen hanging around dumpsters, begging at restaurant doorsteps, or simply going off to die of starvation. Even rural areas in this county do not have sufficient small mammal populations (rodents and mice) to sustain a large colony of feral cats. Fortunately, many are now being helped by programs which "kill the crisis, not the animals."

Historical methods of poisoning or shooting feral cats has been abandoned since it was found that new cats just move into the territory to take their place. Also, such methods are deemed inhumane and unacceptable my most civilized societies. After all, being a hapless stray cat should not be a condition that warrants a death sentence.

Approximately 15 years ago, a new method of feral cat control was tried in England at shipyards, hospitals, and downtown parks which was found to be highly successful at controlling feral cat populations. The idea then spread to Europe, and many other countries, finally making its way to the United States by way of a national organization called Alley Cat Allies.

The procedure is called TNR (trap-neuter-return). Each of the cats in an existing feral colony is caught in a humane trap and taken to a participating veterinarian to be health tested, vaccinated, and altered (spay or neuter). While under anesthesia, the cat gets a blood test, a small ear-notch (for later identification), and dissolvable sutures. After a 24-48 hour recuperation, the cat is returned to its original site and released; re-location is not recommended. Most regularly-fed feral cats are pretty healthy, with good immune systems, and bounce back quickly from the procedure.

Numerous groups and individuals in this County feeding ferals have had them altered, vaccinated, and returned with excellent results. Within the last 10 years, successful colony management plans have been set up at many local schools, restaurants, motels, shopping centers, hospitals, parks, housing developments, and business sites where feral cats had been living.

With females already in heat and mating, the next batches of kittens are just a few weeks away. There are still spay/neuter monies available, and now is the best time to "fix" the problem before it multiplies. Numerous humane groups and individuals offer assistance to persons who are feeding feral cats but do not have the resources to have them captured and neutered. Anyone wishing further information should call their local humane organization. m