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Public Support
"For years as a resident of Indianapolis, one never had a resource available for a humane solution for stray/feral cats. The only alternative our city offered for them was death. With IndyFeral’s Trap-Neuter-Return program not only do the cats win so do the residents of Indianapolis. The city saves tax dollars and the cats and those who care for them now have a non-lethal solution. Thank you IndyFeral!"
~ Phebe Blackburn, Indianapolis
More support from the public:
The Waters of Indianapolis Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing facility appreciates IndyFeral's assistance.
After IndyFeral went to work in her neighborhood, Sue Mills of Indianapolis noticed that there were fewer cats, and the ones she did see were healthier.
Eastway Development is grateful for the impact that IndyFeral's TNR effort has had.
Related articles:
Redefining Humane by Becky Robinson, Alley Cat Allies. Alley Cat Allies has shown that the vast majority of people think it is more humane to allow stray and feral to stay outside rather than have them killed, but all too often, humane societies and animal control facilities take the opposite view. Practicing TNR can help redefine "humane".
US Public Opinion on Humane Treatment of Stray Cats by Alley Cat Allies. This is the study referred to in the article "Redefining Humane" which shows pubic opinion supports TNR efforts. The results here reveal a significant disparity between the public’s humane ethic and the operating policy of most U.S. animal pounds and shelters.
Who Speaks for the Animals? By Wendy Anderson. In this article published for the American Bar Association's Animal Law Committee's Newsletter, Wendy Anderson says that a for many cat lover's, the idea of protection includes sterilization, not "humane" killing.
IndyFeral Registered Colony Map, January 2007: With over 2,500 registered colonies in the central Indiana area, IndyFeral shows that the public supports humane TNR efforts.
Animal Control
"TNR has reduced complaints that Indianapolis Animal Care and Control (IACC) has received regarding the nuisance of free-roaming cats in the city. This has allowed IACC to concentrate on more serious public safety issues. TNR also improves the quality of life for the stray and feral cat population in our city"
~ Teri Kendrick, Indianapolis Animal Care and Control Administrator
Related articles:
In 2006, IndyFeral partnered with Indianapolis ACC to provide targeted TNR to three Marion County zip codes with disproportionately high levels of free-roaming cat impoundments. All of the areas saw significant decreases in cat impoundments, with two of the three areas showing larger declines than the average for the county as a whole.
Nothing "Necessary" about this Evil by Donna Wilcox, Alley Cat Allies. Most of the cats that die each year are killed in shelters. No one likes killing cats, but some feel it is necessary, while those who practice TNR know it is not.
Taking a Broader View of Cats in the Community: When it comes to cat management, the National Animal Control Association (NACA) believes the times are a-changin’.
TNR For Animal Control Agencies: In this fact sheet designed for animal control agencies, Alley Cat Allies shows that TNR is the most effective method of dealing with cats, both in terms of costs and results.
Humane Society
“Feral cats do not belong in animal shelters. They are not candidates for adoption since they are not socialized to humans. Feral cats are most content living outside. TNR provides a more humane existence for ferals while reducing the behaviors that make them unwelcome neighbors. TNR is a positive step forward for a community that cares about all its animals.”
~ John Aleshire, Executive Director, Humane Society of Indianapolis
Related articles:
Feral Cats Don’t Belong in Shelters by Becky Robinson, Alley Cat Allies. Feral cats are wild and are never candidates for adoption. Whether it is immediately or after a holding period, feral cats are killed in shelters. What does this accomplish?
Can We Afford the Human Cost of Humane Euthanasia? By Kris Rerecich, Alley Cat Allies. Taking lives takes a toll on shelter workers. By keeping feral cats out of shelters, this toll is reduced. This article is the companion to the article "Feral Cats Don't Belong in Shelters".
Adopt a FIV+ Cat? Positively! Best Friends article highlights the efforts of IndyFeral and The Humane Society of Indianapolis to find homes for FIV+ cats and educate the community about the misunderstood disease.
City/Government
“TNR enables people to be part of the solution. It gives people the tools and resources they need to improve the lives of these cats in ways they can’t do otherwise. TNR acts as a safety net for the cats and offers a long-term solution that benefits communities for years to come. The success we are seeing in Indianapolis is due to the dedication of the Indyferal volunteers working together with the veterinarian community, city officials and neighborhoods. Considering cutbacks in public services, Indyferal has worked out a great program that saves tax payer dollars. I would encourage other municipalities to adopt a TNR program as an additional resource to help combat the free-roaming cat overpopulation crisis.”
~ Angela Mansfield, Indianapolis City-County Councilor
The Positive Impact of TNR in Indianapolis: From 2004 through 2007, cat intake at Indianapolis Animal Care and Control decreased by 37% and 29% fewer cats were killed.
Indianapolis City Council Resolution recognizes IndyFeral's impact: In 2007, The Indianapolis City-County Council proudly recognized IndyFeral for its commitment to providing services and resources in central Indiana to control the feral and stray cat problem through humane means.
“TNR has overwhelming public support as a non-lethal way to address the stray and feral cat problem. I would encourage more communities to push for humane legislation that would allow for TNR in their cities. People want to do the right thing but they need our support. I consider this to be a wonderfully fulfilling ordinance now in effect within the town of Speedway”
~ Lucinda Hillmer, President, Speedway Town Council
IndyFeral Registered Colony Map, January 2007: With over 2,500 registered colonies in the central Indiana area, IndyFeral shows that the public supports humane TNR efforts.
“Clearly, the number of unowned animals roaming our city is a quality of life issue for both animals and people. Since the passage of the TNR ordinance, our neighborhood liaisons have been working with Indyferal to educate neighborhoods on the options available for addressing unowned cats. In an effort to achieve comprehensive revitalization, partnerships such as this are exceedingly valuable.”
~ Maury Plambeck, Director, Department of Metropolitan Development
Indianapolis-area TNR Ordinances:
City of Indianapolis, Indiana's TNR Ordinance.
City of Lawrence, Indiana's TNR Ordinance.
Town of Speedway, Indiana's TNR Ordinance
Veterinarians
“Feral cats are not socialized to humans and are more content to live outside, but that doesn’t mean their lives should be valued any less than domestic cats. Feral cats just need a different kind of care. By participating in a TNR program such as that offered by IndyFeral, which provides life-saving spay/neuter and medical and surgical management of each feral cat colony, veterinarians have a unique opportunity to lead the way in ensuring that these homeless cats have a better quality of life.”
~ Cara Gardner, DVM, CVA, Indyferal volunteer veterinarian
For me, volunteering with IndyFeral is a way to connect with and give back to the community. It reminds me that I became a technician to help people and animals. I have learned to appreciate that feral cats are loved for their function and beauty, as much as any other wild animal.
~ Jessica Peveler, RVT
Related articles:
The American Association of Feline Practitioners Position Statement on Free-Roaming, Abandoned and Feral Cats
The American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA) Policy on Free-roaming Abandoned and Feral Cats
Public Health
“TNR helps by protecting public health. Studies show feral and owned cats share similar health status. Vaccinating, sterilizing and returning healthy cats to managed colonies are the best ways to protect the public from the spread of disease.”
~ Sandra Norman, DVM, Director, Companion Animal/Equine, Indiana State Board of Animal Health
Related articles/links:
Alley Cat Allies Rabies: A Public Health Victory
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Programs Protect Public Health
Rabies in companion animals
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Stray & feral cats produce 80% of the kittens born each year and are the greatest source of cat overpopulation. These cats and their offspring are the victims of abandonment and accidental loss. Their plight is the result of pet owners allowing their intact cats to roam freely or failing to spay and neuter their cats before they produce even one litter.
