in our area we have volunteer groups that feed and care for the 4-5 feral cat colonies within a tri-county area. Cat’s they encounter are captured, tested, neutered/spayed, given shots and released.
I don't see how this is any different than the original owners "releasing them back into the wild". First off, feral cats are not a native species anywhere in the United States.......they are a invasive species that has no legitimate place in any natural ecosystem. The amount of small rodents they kill is nill compared to the amount of native songbirds, game birds and other native wildlife they destroy. In our area, according to the local Vet, once you take an animal in, and then take them to the vet for shots, it legally belongs to you. By law, you then need to register it, and if you then release it, you can be arrested and fined the same as the original owner for abandonment and animal abuse.
Again I truly believe your intentions are good, but you are not looking at the big picture.
Have you ever had your two year old grandaughter carry in and show you the new surprise she found buried in her backyard sandbox? Funny those bleeding hearts didn't leave litter boxes out for their "newly released friends".
Have you ever fed native wild songbirds all winter only to find their colorful bodies(less the head) layin' on the ground below the bird feeder? A trademark of a fat feral cat that hunts for pleasure.
Have you ever had to watch a five year old neighbor kid endure the painful series of rabies shots because he was bitten by a stray cat that couldn't be found or identified?
Have you ever watched coyotes pick off feral cats on the neighbor's deck where she had been feeding them at night? Did you know that those same coyotes, along with skunks and possums like the cat food she left out too?
I can answer yes to all of those questions and it's one reason I stand by my statement......
you are just contributing to the problem. If you REALLY want to help them, put them down or turn them into animal control.
Wow what a thread deviation.
I started this for laughs, sorry it took such a serious turn.
actually it's been kinda fun!