One can only hope this is part of a TNR program. Free roaming domestics are an invasive species and kill billions of other animals a year in the US alone. I get they are cute, but they are also introduced predators messing with ecological systems.
This exactly, this is a terrible thing. Stray cats should be captured and given over to a shelter or culled. There's nothing more damaging to an ecosystem.
As an example, my father purchased roughly 400 acres of land in Mississippi roughly 25 years ago. Upon inspecting the land, he noticed that were a very limited number of birds and other animals on the property, except for cats. There were hundreds of feral barn cats everywhere. So, he decided to do something about. It took roughly 4 years, but he eventually captured or otherwise dealt with the cat issue.
Now, some 24 years later, his 400 acres of land is a haven for wildlife, and he even has biologists from local universities who visit his land. From very limited wildlife, you can now see thousands of hummingbirds, turkey, grouse, quail, rabbits, possums, squirrels, and other rodents. With those species came predators, from none visible to several species of snakes, to a breeding pair of foxes, a pack of coyotes, several species of raptors, including a breeding pair of a species of rare tiny owl, and over the last 2 years he has seen signs of a family of bobcats that have moved in, although he hasn't seen the actual animals yet. Right now, he is trying to get permission to release beavers on the property since he has some running water and 3 small ponds that have been cleaned and restocked with native fish from the university.
All because he was able to get rid of cats. They are immensely destructive animals in ecosystems they did not evolve to inhabit.
Yeah, I love cats but ultimately there’s just too damn many of them roaming outside. They should be captured and neutered/spayed at least, if it’s not possible to rehome all of them with families that will keep them mostly indoors. This is part of why we need to adopt, not shop for pets
Sorry for the late response but you're correct. I actually really like cats, and they are immensely fulfilling when owned responsibly, and they are one of the prettiest animals on the planet. They still have working uses as well, especially around grain and really anywhere stuff is stored. Perfect little murder machines.
The issue, as with most things, comes down to human irresponsibility. It's certainly not the cats' fault.
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u/Miserable_Ground_264 6d ago
One can only hope this is part of a TNR program. Free roaming domestics are an invasive species and kill billions of other animals a year in the US alone. I get they are cute, but they are also introduced predators messing with ecological systems.