After a boom of outdoor cats overrunning the neighborhood a couple of years ago (it reached it’s peak about the time we took Roxy in and fostered her through the birth and weaning of the kittens), we’re starting to see more outdoor cats in the neighborhood again.

Unfortunately, this small town doesn’t have a catch and release program, so cats tend to multiply until they become a problem, the city traps and probably euthanizes them, then the cycle starts all over again.  I’m seeing at least two cats, both seem to be centered with our neighbor behind us.  She has a large Victorian like ours, also on a city block lot, but she doesn’t have anyone beside or behind her, so she has the appearance of a much larger yard. She may actually have two city blocks, but I’m not sure how everything is  laid out. For the last couple of years, she’s had a tabby cat living in the yard.  I heard she had kittens about a year ago.  I think the orange marmalade cat I’ve seen hanging out in the yard in the last couple of months was one of those kittens.

I’d like to see a Catch and Release program which would spay or neuter and give shots to wild cats then release them back into the community.  I think the cats do a lot of good in reducing rodents, but their ability to multiply rapidly causes problems.  Last time I was at City Hall, they had a posting for the animal control officer position.  I’ll check when I pay the water bills this month to see if that position is still open.  I suppose if I were serious about my proposal, I’d talk to the city to see what would need to happen.  I suspect animal welfare, beyond stopping cruelty, is not a large priority in town where making sure kids and families get enough to eat is a larger problem.

I could also talk to my vet.  I know she works with people rescuing animals, but I don’t know what she does, but I’ll bet she has a handle on what’s happening in the area.  There’s also a woman who works at a sandwich shop who works in rescue.  I’ve donated dog stuff we no longer need to her in the past and am preparing another batch.

San Antonio actively supports wild cat colonies with catch and release.  Has anyone worked with these programs before?  What have you discovered in involved in getting it going and sustaining it?