Free Roaming Cat Task Force Recommendations

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DRAFT Interestingly, there were still more live outcomes in 2013 for dogs (1,092) than for cats (843). The reason lies in owner recovery numbers. While only 56 cats were recovered by owners or custodians, 400 dogs were reclaimed for the year. This is a predictable differential between cats and dogs in Orange County, reflecting a pattern of significantly different rates of recoveries for these two species. In addition, there is good reason to believe there is a comparable difference in the rate at which cats and dogs are brought into the shelter by the public.6 We would never tolerate dogs roaming the streets, yet we turn our head to cats and shrug them off as acceptable outside. In the pointed words of one task force member: If a loose dog is seen running across a public street, people passing by would most likely try to capture the dog or call animal control or 9-1-1. On the other hand, it is far less likely that the public would do the same for a cat seen running across a public street. In general, people seem to believe cats can survive on their own better than dogs, and also seem to have stronger bonds with dogs than cats. And although cats may be able to survive on the streets, the survival isn’t always good survival, and the problems they create extend outward into the community. These differentials reflect the difference in the bond that exists between people and dogs and people and cats in contemporary society. The exact reasons for this difference are still not well known (and arguably they are the subject of inquiry in the humanities and social sciences). However, there is a strong sense that historical differences in their domestication and keeping and cultural perception in contemporary society are significant factors. Ultimately, this is why public awareness and education must be an integral part of a comprehensive program to effectively manage free-roaming cats in our own and other communities. While American culture as a whole may not hold cats in the same regard as dogs, people do by and large consider them companion animals and do not want to see them euthanized to solve problems. Therefore, decreasing the number of cats roaming freely in our community should be 6 It is suggested that 3 times the number of cats are both sheltered and roam freely in a community, compared to dogs, and that each un-spayed female can produce an average of 15 kittens each year.