Dear Editor,
I want to thank Lynne Ferguson-Bourguignon for her letter in the September 7th issue highlighting the good work being done by the volunteers at Ottawa Stray Cats. The key to addressing the issues associated with feral cats (whether someone claims to “own” them or not), is to stop the cycle of reproduction that creates more and more new feral cats every year. Be assured that the life of a feral cat is terrible — starvation, pain, cold, diseases, predators, injuries, painful lingering deaths, and the list goes on.
The dedicated groups of volunteers, in their activities to trap, neuter/spay, and release or rehome these cats, are taking important steps to care for the cats already born and to prevent the arrival of more kittens to suffer a similar fate. They deserve our support. They’re actually ‘walking-the-talk’ when it comes to reducing the numbers of suffering feral cats and caring about their welfare.
I would also like to take this opportunity to give a huge shout-out to a similar group of amazing volunteers operating in our area – Spencerville TNR. Anyone can donate (money and/or cat supplies) to help them in their work to reduce the number of suffering feral cats in our communities. Check out their website at SpencervilleTNR.ca. (TNR stands for trap, neuter, rehome/release.)
Maria Koller-Jones
(retired veterinarian)
