This article was prepared by the Cheyenne Animal Shelter's education committee. As a member of their Board of Directors, it has been my privilege to help in the wonderful cause that they champion. If you have a desire to help animals in need, please consider helping the Cheyenne Animal Shelter. Mark your calendars for June 13 and 14. The Cheyenne Animal Shelter, in conjunction with the Northern Colorado Friends of Ferals, will hold a Trap-Neuter-Release event for feral cats in the Cheyenne area. Please call the Shelter at 307-632-6655 for more information, or go to www.cheyenneanimalshelter.org.
We all know cats multiply and we should know that a pair of breeding cats can produce many, many kittens in just seven years. The unhappy result is booming feral cat colonies, too many "free kittens" ads, and too many cats being euthanized.
There are several types of cats that cause problems. Feral cats have never had owners and have fully reverted to the wild state, often in one generation. Strays are pets that have wandered off and can be mistaken for feral; the recovery rate for strays is a dismal three percent. Barn cats often are not afraid of people, but frequently are allowed to breed like ferals and their kittens are not tame. There are pet cats that roam outside but return home regularly, in violation of Cheyenne’s leash law. These cats have one thing in common: unless neutered or spayed, they are the source of the many kittens arriving at the animal shelter every week.
There are several types of cats that cause problems. Feral cats have never had owners and have fully reverted to the wild state, often in one generation. Strays are pets that have wandered off and can be mistaken for feral; the recovery rate for strays is a dismal three percent. Barn cats often are not afraid of people, but frequently are allowed to breed like ferals and their kittens are not tame. There are pet cats that roam outside but return home regularly, in violation of Cheyenne’s leash law. These cats have one thing in common: unless neutered or spayed, they are the source of the many kittens arriving at the animal shelter every week.