• "I think feral cat's are diseased and live short, miserable lives.  Euthanization (killing) is the only way to ease their suffering." 

This is UNTRUE!  Feral cats do very well in a managed colony. 

  •  "Don't feral cats carry rabies?" 

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health there have been no positive cases of rabies in cats since 1996.  In 1996, one case was reported. 

  • "I will take the feral cats to a local animal shelter or to a no-kill animal shelter to be adopted." 

Feral cats are unsocialized, wild and cannot be adopted out as someone's pet.  If taken to a shelter, even a no-kill shelter, these cats may be killed because they are unadoptable. 

  • "I will call animal control or the local police department to have them trapped and removed."  

Animal Control may kill the cats or take to them to a shelter where they may be killed.   Unfortunately, domesticated cats can be mistaken for feral cats and may be euthanized.   There is a very small window with kittens where they can be socialized and adoptable.  If kittens are past this window (over 8-10 weeks) and appear feral, they may be killed.  

  • "I will trap them and take them to a farm." 

 Trapping cats and dumping them on someone else's private property is unacceptable.  Cats are very territorial and have close knit ties to their other colony cats.  They don't do well if removed from their outdoor home (area).  Additionally, when cats are removed from one area, other cats move in for the food and shelter.  They breed prolifically to fill the void and will begin to repopulate the area. 

  • "Feral cats are eating the birds and other wildlife." 
According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the greatest threat to birds is the depletion of their habitat due to human development.  Cats are predatory animals and help keep the the mouse and rat population down!