Should Healthy Stray Cats Be Returned to the Wild?

How best to address the number of cat and dog deaths, especially in regard to cats, was a bone of contention at the May 1 meeting of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners.

Residents, activists and veterinary experts lined up to speak both for and against the county's new plan to reduce euthanasia rates for dogs and cats while increasing the “live outcome” rate.

The plan, estimated to cost about $1.3 million in the first year alone, is designed to introduce a variety of programs created with the same goal in mind: to stop the “senseless killing of animals,” as Hillsborough Commission Chairman Ken Hagan said.

Cat Plan Creates Waves

Rather than euthanize healthy stray cats that are brought to Hillsborough County Animal Services to make room for the constant influx of new animals, the plan recommends a “community cat program.” This program is a spin on the popular "Trap, Neuter and Release" program used in other areas nationwide. Hillsborough’s program would also have a vaccination component.

The new program will enable control of the cat population by making sure healthy strays are sterilized while also ensuring that cats receive basic shots, including the rabies vaccination.

While only Commissioner Victor Crist voted against the animal service’s plan, not all residents were convinced this is the right way to go to reduce animal deaths. The commission chambers were filled with people eager to speak out either for or against the community cat program.

Mary Barrell of Lutz made the drive to the Fred B. Karl County Center in Tampa to urge commissioners to approve the plan.

“We cannot adopt our way out of the cat population problem,” she said.

East Lake Park resident Joanne O’Brien agreed.

“I would hope you guys would do the right thing and approve this,” she said.

Others, however, are not so convinced this is the right way to go. Citing health concerns and fears for Florida’s native animal population, speaker after speaker urged commissioners to just say no to letting stray cats back out onto the streets.

Russ Swisher of Brandon said he feared for humans if stray cats were allowed to remain in the wild and told commissioners he adamantly opposed the plan the “crazy cat ladies” were pushing.

Dr. Christy Layton of Plant City, president of the Hillsborough County Veterinary Medicine Association, drove out to voice her opposition.

“By endorsing a county feral cat program, all we’re doing is creating a second class citizen,” she said. “The real problem is irresponsible pet owners. How does dumping thousands of cats into our county streets help us promote responsible pet ownership?”

In the end, commissioners chose to back Animal Services. A motion to have the county attorney draft changes to the Animal Services ordinance passed 6-1 with only Victor Crist voting against.

You can read the county’s full plan online. To find out more about the numbers behind the plan’s creation, read Hillsborough Animal Death Rates.

Do you agree with the county’s stance on feral cats, Brandon residents? Share your thoughts, in the comment box below.