"Public health leaders in Maryland have concerns about TNR, which is not controlled through state mandates; rather counties and cities decide how to handle feral cats."

I'm confused. Why, exactly, would a community need rigid state mandates to decide how to handle feral cats? From what I've seen, high level government mandates from breaucratic morons do nothing but create problems. Asking "public health leaders", whoever they are, if state mandates are a good idea is like asking oil company executives if oil subidizidies are a good idea.

Dear Guest Editor, as a reminder- "Feral" is just a term for cats that are homeless and need food/medical/etc. That does not mean all feral cats cannot be handled by humans. I feed several sites in the Bay Area, and 95% are friendly and adoptable. So please, be careful with your terminology and definitions.

If we want justify killing cats using the argument of rabies, then we need to kill every fox, racoon, possum and another other wild animal out there that also harbors rabies. How is a feral cat any different then any other wild animal out there. TNR is the ethical and morally responsible way to handle these cats.

Even if you wipe out all the cats, over time other cats will come to that spot. Then you will have a group of unfixed cats and the problem of TNR again. Another thing Editor, TNR means Trap-Neuter-Return, not release.

Feral cats cannot be handled by most humans, but, unfortunately, what Ms. Shubin Jones sees is that many free roaming cats are not indeed feral. The free roaming cat population includes feral cats, abandoned tame cats, lost tame cats, and pet cats. That is one of the dangers of trap and kill is that eventually, you will trap and kill someone's lost or free roaming pet cat, who is timid with strangers.

Free roaming cats are different than wild animals, in that their population is due to negligence on behalf of their human owners. It is the responsibility of good human citizens to trap, neuter and rehome (to an indoor home) those cats that are not thriving outdoors, or to trap, neuter, and return thriving free roaming cats, enabling them to live out their existence free of disease while not adding to the population.

Animal adoption agencies should not adopt out unneutered cats (or dogs or other animals).

Chris, I am speaking from my own experience of 15+ years of cat rescue. Most of the ferals I feed can be handled by humans. Not saying that is the case for other feral colonies. I think that the author of the article should have clarified that the term "feral" doesn't always mean that the cats are aggressive or cannot be handled, that's all. There are friendly ferals, there are shy ferals, there are many types. It would have been nice of her to clarify and elaborate on that. What she did was lump all of these cats demeanor into one definition. Plus she says they defecate on lawns, which is highly unlikely. Cats like to bury their waste.
Oh and it's illegal for any adoption agency to adopt out an unneutered cat or dog and under the age of 8 weeks old.

I am speaking in general terms here, because there might be an exception or something. Usually in adoptions, they have an adoption fee which will include spay/neuter, testing, vaccinations, micro chip, etc. As an adoption agency you are trying to prevent more animals from being born. Now some states might be more lenient and give a voucher or deposit for the new owners to have it done themselves. California for example, no shelter can adopt out an unneutered/spayed animal. Not sure about other states. Adoption agency's most likely do adopt out only fixed animals as it's usually their goal.

It's time for Dr. Feldman to step into the 21st century, or if that's too much of a leap, the late 20th century and realize that feral cats who are vaccinated even once are not a rabies threat. Nor do they spread other diseases to humans or other animals. Also, feral cats are domestic cats who have returned to their feral state. Although the state does not classify them as wild animals (that's a good thing), they are not adoptable to homes and cannot live successfully or happily indoors. While they may bond with their colony caretakers/feeders, they're generally afraid of other humans. We're fortunate in Howard County to have the arrangement we have with Animal Control, and we're working on making it even better. Lisa, I wish you had talked with a rescue group in Howard County before writing this article. For those of you who believe feral cats should be trapped and killed, here's an article that discusses feral cat facts and fiction: http://www.squidoo.com/feral-cats-fact-and-fiction

TNR WORKS!!!! Look across the pond at Fairfax County. I am a rescue volunteer and foster. Do you want to know where all the pleas from the shelter because of momma cats with kittens or pregnant... THEY ARE COMING FROM MARYLAND. Euthanizing is NOT a viable solution its like trying to get rid of a cold by cutting off your nose. The statement in the article about the need to continue vacination is true to a degree but there has been a long debate on cats er vacinated and causing cancer. Just because you kill one cat and their kittens does not solve the problem because there are plenty more that will come in a take their place. If you do TNR and can set up caregivers to the colonies it will be stable and you wont have to worry about another colony setting up and then what you kill them to. Its a vicious cruel cycle that will get no where but lead to a lot of death... senseless needless death. I dread opening my email because I know there will be another plea for someone to save them from the death that Maryland government wants to do. Its so sad to me that of all states Maryland - home to Ally Cat Allies - does not support their own community outreach and resources.

Chris you shot cats?? Correct me if I'm wrong.. But what kind of a person are you if this is so

I'm sorry, I read more, you are not a person nor human being and honestly don't deserve to share the resources with the rest of humanity. Your posting is nothing but filled with hate and the sick enjoyment of murdering innocent creatures that did nothing to you. You are just a less evolved species and it deeply saddens me that I had to witness this disgustig rant.

Don't feed the troll :)

Well the good news is that we will all know who will be the first suspect should there be any people showing up dead or missing. Everyone knows that those that like to torture and kill small animals will graduate to having the same thoughts toward humans. So if we start reading reports of people murdered around Clark P area he should be the first one questioned. Its amusing how he justifies murder.

It is a shame that people react so violently instead of coming up with a humane solution that doesn't involve killing cats. Ronda, I agree with your statement above. I will take screen shots of this comment section.

All of the homeless cats that we manage are well cared for: fixed, tested, vaccinated and have 100% medical attention,fed daily wet/dry and given fresh water, they also have shelters with clean linens at all times. Probably have it better than some humans. And no, they don't hunt any animals or wildlife, they are actually pretty picky eaters and only have the best :) The colony has been there since 1995 and no new cats have been added. I speak from experience and what I've seen and worked with, not on stuff I google on the Internet.

You should come down to see them Clark, but I will have to pat you down for weapons :) I will give them some extra goodies this Friday in your honor :) Have a nice day.

Yikes Clark, either you need to lay off the bottle, or you need a drink. Not sure which!

My next foster kittens I am naming Clark and Kent :)