While I agree that animal services provides a very necessary function, the concept of TNR (Trap Neuter and Return) is merely shoving the problem of feral cats onto the homeowner or farmer who doesn't want the cat in their area.
No one likes to see a cat that's been dumped. But a pet cat is different than a feral cat. Referring to a feral cat as being a member of a community makes it sound benevolent, when it's anything but. Removing it from it's ''''community'' only to return it after neutering is not solving the problem.
As an aside, I've two cats. One was from Thurston County JAS. I've had and loved cats all my life, so I don't need flaming. I keep my cats indoors. They aren't allowed to roam, and consequently, they're both geriatrics. They needn't worry about parasites, or diseases, or being hit by a car.
Feral cats kill native wildlife, especially birds. Our native birds are already under a dreadful squeeze- non native species like the House Sparrow and the Starling are aggressive and relentless in their competition for nesting cavities. Combine that with loss of habitat, climate change, cell phone towers, and our native birds are plummeting in numbers.
Capturing a feral cat removes it from the area. Returning it so that it can continue to kill birds is insanity. Just because a feral cat has been neutered or spayed doesn't mean it will stop killing native wildlife, stop spraying, or using one's garden bed as a litter box, or attacking one's household cats.
I've humanely trapped feral cats and attempted to get JAS to accept them. I've been browbeaten by staff members, looked at with suspicion as if I'm lying about this cat. No, I don't want it, it's not mine, I've never fed it, it's damaged my property and killed bluebirds and robins. Wshy am I suddenly being treated as if I'm a criminal, when all I am trying to do is preserve what little native wildlife is left.
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