Toward the beginning of a staff presentation Tuesday to the Palm Coast City Council on Community Cats and its trap, neuter and release program known as TNR, a slide flashed up, purporting to illustrate “Challenges with Free Roaming Cats.”
It’s a familiar pyramid, used by scores, if not hundreds or thousands of pet-friendly websites, vets, humane societies and the like. A similarly inaccurate chart greets readers on the front page of Community Cats’ website. It claims that if an unspayed female cat produced two litters a year, with 2.8 surviving kittens per litter, that would generate 67 cats after two years, 2,107 cats after four years, 370,000 cats after seven years, and 11.6 million cats after nine years. It’s a startling assertion, often used in support of spaying and neutering programs.
It is also grossly wrong.
It has been repeatedly debunked for more than a decade by fact-checkers as rigorous as the Wall Street Journal, the San Francisco Chronicle and Politifacts. A more reasonable estimate for feral cats, Politifacts reported, would be “perhaps 49 cats alive after five years,” not 11,801, as Palm Coast’s illustration claims. Forty-nine cats is not a small number. Still, the false figures continue to proliferate almost at the rate of those mythically multiplying cats, and finding their way before policymakers, as was the case Tuesday.
So it’s probably best to take that presentation to the council with a few grains of salt, especially since the debate around TNR is not entirely settled. The science is. The desired outcomes less so, as a peer-reviewed 2020 University of Florida study of studies on the subject concludes.
That sort of nuanced perspective was also largely absent from the presentation to the council on Tuesday, rating as “myths” numerous claims that cannot fairly be called that. But debates over TNR can at times seem like ideological posturing, with sides more likely to be entrenched than compromising. It took a while–if not a struggle–for Palm Cost to adopt TNR, but once it did, the program locally appears to have achieved its aims of containing and in some areas lowering or eliminating the feral cat population, thanks to Community Cats volunteers. Residents’ complaints about roaming, spraying and rutting cats are few, too.
The council in mid-July had requested a presentation on Community Cats, the non-profit that’s led the way on TNR in the county and takes care of feral, stray, discarded and abandoned cats, according to Eva Rodriguez, a code enforcement technician, and Heather Priestap, an animal control officer, who presented the matter to the council. (An incident involving the alleged destruction in June of a feral cat feeding station by Peter Michael Johnson, now a candidate for mayor in the city, had prompted the request. The Sheriff’s Office documented the incident. Johnson is not a fan of TNR or feeding stations.)
“Caretakers and volunteers trap the cats, transport them to be spayed, neutered, and vaccinated. Getting the cats fixed and vaccinated reduces the cat population and spread of diseases,” Rodriguez said. The cats are ear-notched and returned to their original area, where the cats are fed and cleaned daily by caretaker-volunteers.
“TNR prevents overpopulation and caregivers are making sure the community cats are well taken care of and the colony does not become a nuisance ,” Rodriguez said. “Neutered males make better neighbors.” When she made that statement, the room erupted in titters and some applause before she could continue to explain: “because there’s less yowling, fighting and spraying.” The cats are not a public health threat, generally avoid contact with humans, and therefore have smaller chances of transmitting disease. “You are much more likely to catch an infectious disease from someone standing in line with you at the grocery store than from a cat,” Rodriguez said.
Before TNR, cats would be trapped and removed to the Humane Society, but not returned, creating what Rodriguez described as a “vacuum effect”: new cats would move in, repeating the cycle. TNR has halved the city’s costs, she said, with 651 cats trapped and taken to the Humane Society by Palm Coast Animal Control, 458 of them adopted, and 119 released back to the area where they were picked up after being spayed or neutered, leaving 39 waiting for adoption. (35 cats were euthanized.)
Priestap, who carries out a large portion of the trapping and so interacts with the cats firsthand, said the TNR approach lowers euthanasia rates and “provides vaccinations which will assist with a healthier cat population in our communities, it has less of an impact on wildlife and it lowers the intakes in cost to the city.”
The UF study disagrees, concluding that “cats usually experience a painful death and suffer from various diseases and injuries during their lifetimes. Additionally, feral cat colonies are a source of public and wildlife health risk.” Priestap had a list of “myths versus fact,” and listed the assertion that feral cats have harsh lives in the “myth” column. “Feral cats are fed by kind people. Others find food for themselves,” she said. “The average lifespan of a feral cat is estimated to be around 10 years.” She added: “While a few of them lead hard lives most of them are Pleasantly plump and healthy. Most feral cats we see are full of life and eager to return to their homes when released.” (A University of Nebraska brief on feral cat management places the average life expectancy of feral cats at “3 to 5 years, compared top 15 years for owned cats.”)
PETA, the militant animal rights organization, has in all but the most controlled circumstances declared itself against TNR, finding it inhumane: “We have seen firsthand and have received countless reports that cats suffer and die gruesome deaths because they are abandoned to fend for themselves outdoors,” the organization states, but without more rigorous, empirical evidence.
Priestap said a typical colony will consist of two to six cats, who are “likely eliminated” after four to seven years. She did not specify by what means, but feral cats don;t usually have nine lives. If reducing the number of feral cats was the goal, local figures suggesting that TNR has been effective: one colony that had 100 cats in 2016 is down to five today. Colonies at Publix on belle Terre Parkway, and at Staples, have dwindled to nothing, suggesting that “trap neuter return is a proven successful method of controlling and reducing the population of free roaming cats.”
The council had few questions, among them an inquiry about the number of nuisance complaints generated by feral cats. Barbara Grossman, the code enforcement manager, said there’s only been three complaints this year. But cats don’t usually roam, especially when they are fed by caretakers.
Council member Theresa Pontieri picked up on the claim during the presentation that human beings, not cats, are more responsible for wildlife decline. “Do we know if there is any contribution to wildlife decline, and if there’s any data on that in Palm Coast specifically– because obviously we care very much about wildlife here–whether or not the feral cats do contribute to any type of decline in our wildlife here.” (The American Bird Conservancy opposes TNR, claiming that outdoor cats are the leading threat to birds.)
Grossman said caretakers ensure that colonies are fed precisely to prevent cats from having to hunt for wildlife. “It’s been a successful program and we would like to keep it a successful program,” Grossman said.
Laurel says
Loss of habitat because of humans clear cutting and over building, is the reason for wildlife decline, not cats.
We have adopted three feral cats over the years, and the rest were socially inept from the Humane Society. I say socially inept because they had different backgrounds, mostly not properly socialized as kittens. Two ended up being sweethearts, and one was more difficult, but he loved our other cats. We just lost our little girl who was a hoarder house cat, who had improper, actually no, health care early on. We’re still heartbroken as she was a little sweetie, and full of love, but still somewhat skiddish. She, and seven others, were dropped off in Flagler Beach. Three were immediately hit by cars, and now after losing our kitty, the group is down to two and being cared for. Our kitty had five good, happy years with us, and she brought us a lot of joy. She was about nine.
Our cats mostly live between 15 and 20 years. We lost our 21 yo a year ago. He, too, was an abandoned boy, but very kine.
The whole thing is a human related problem, and should be dealt with responsibly by humans. It’s so hard to believe, in this day and age, that people still don’t spay and neuter their pets, so their offspring end up in shelters. Perfectly nice and healthy animals are killed simply do to negligence and over population.
Yeah, they do not survive for very long but at least they have some life. They are not the nuisance some people claim. I am all for TNR.
Kat says
Laurel I agree with you completely.
YankeeExPat says
Stray cats are vermin just as are rats, mice , pigeons , coyotes , weasels and cockroaches.
Pets belong in a home, letting a cat or dog have free reign to go outside unleashed at their own whim is animal cruelty –Plain and Simple —- and a public safety issue.
I hear and see folks in this town saying “Oh, the cat cat keep standing by the door,……..” I had to let it go out”. ….Bullshit!
that just facilitates the native fauna, mammals reptiles and especially birds to be victims of poor examples of inept pet owners.
I agree TNR is a helpful program, but at best a bandaid to a problem created and continues to flourish by uninformed and ignorant so called “stewarts of the earth ” .
Cats are Invasive Animals says
Tell that to the squirrel I watch get ambushed, nabbed, and mauled by a cat in our backyard. I saved it but it still died. Can only live so long with one eye and half of your legs functioning. Yea, you’re right, cats have nothing to do with wildlife decline.. birds… nope.. they’re just fine too. Tell that to the legless birds I’ve seen over the years. Get your facts straight and wake up you crazy cat lady.
Dennis C Rathsam says
Absolutly its working, but it still smells like cat piss, in some parts of town. That pungent odor you cant forget. I love cats my family has 2 bengels. One we brought with us from Texas, she meowed until she was horse, somewhere around Jacksonville. Happy wife, happy life, but the shit ya gotta put up with.
Kat says
My deepest, thanks to all of the volunteers who look out for our community Kat. These people are dedicated and caring, as are the vets that provide services to them at a discounted rate.
One of the potential associations my mind has with the word community, is that community supports kindness. this organization personifies kindness and responsibility . As already stated, humans are the root cause of us having so many homeless animals.
Peter Michael Johnson, I find your actions not only unkind, but despicable. You’re not fit to lick the bottom of one of these peoples shoes let alone be mayor. I hope that many people see this and your candidacy never even gets off the ground.
PL says
I also would like to salute all those who have worked so hard with kindness, compassion and resolve to address the feral cat issue in our community. Bless them all. I spend a lot of time outdoors and around and I have seen a dramatic decline in feral cats here locally.
Lora says
Kat, I agree with you. Although we moved from Palm Coast I have friends there and we come back every couple of years. I still keep up with the happenings of the area. I used to help a lady feed several colonies when we were there. The cats wouldn’t come up to me because they didn’t know me, but they’d come up to my friend. They pretty much stay hidden. I adopted 1 feral kitten and 1 beautiful Siamese cat that was in a meth house from palm coast cats. I also am a wildlife rehaber and in my opinion all the building is what’s destroying the wildlife and habitats. That was a big factor in our moving. We lived in the Z section pretty much surrounded by woods. I loved seeing all the critters. In my Pollyanna world it wasn’t going to change, but I swear we woke up one morning to 3 lots all bulldozed on the same day. The squirrels that lived there were going crazy 😢.
Jessica Myers says
First let me clarify that the Community Cats program the presentation focused on was the program that was created in 2018 and approved by the city. The full name of the program being Community Cats Diversion Pilot Program. This presentation does not have any relationship to the 501(c) 3 Organization that bears the name of Community Cats of Palm Coast.
Having said that however, being the Director of that organization and being present for the presentation, it was a very accurate reporting of the program to date here in Palm Coast. You can find any study online that supports your already formed opinion. Many of them, including the one included in this article from the University of Florida will admit that they can not give definitive results because of the control group not being consistent. There are also other issues with all of the studies both for and against TNR. It is absolutely impossible to apply ANY findings in ANY study to our own city. There are too many variables that would render the findings inaccurate. Environment, temperature etc. The only way to know what works in a particular area is by performing these studies in that area.
This may come as a shock but any cat advocate that practices TNR does not claim to agree that this is the best solution. We (I think I can speak for most cat lovers) would love nothing more than for there to be not one single cat (other than wild) living outdoors. Unfortunately this is not realistic however it’s the next best thing. Another thing that we all agree on (studies also support this) is that TNR does not work as the only solution. It must be used in combination with enforcement of city codes against outdoor cats, abandoned cats and cats that are not spayed/neutered as well as removal of adoptable and sick animals.
Had the organization Community Cats been the one to give the presentation we also would have addressed the two main issues that wildlife and bird enthusiasts have. First, the impact on wildlife via hunting. To date I am not aware of any findings of evidence of active hunting within or near any feral cat colonies. Cats kill in a specific way that large amounts of blood would be present. They also consume their prey in its entirety and vomit the indigestible parts such as bones, fur and feathers. No such evidence has ever been reported along with any of the complaints. The other is that by feeding cats the wildlife is also being fed and becoming less fearful of humans and dependent on them for food. I also am not aware of any such reports of wildlife encroaching on peoples homes, in commercial areas or anywhere that humans exists. The fact is that responsible feeding is done during daylight hours and no food is left behind for the nocturnal wildlife. So to both of these concerns, one has to conclude that there just is no evidence that these issues exist here in Palm Coast.
Again, is TNR the absolute proven solution to the entire homeless cat population? Not even close! But it is a good practice as part of a comprehensive plan to slowly reduce the numbers here in Palm Coast.
Whether you are for or against TNR and homeless cats colonies, one thing is for certain. This problem is not going to resolve itself. Articles such as this one does absolutely nothing to get us closer to a solution. It only makes people on both sides angrier than they were before. I would really rather have seen some actual unbiased, accurate, investigative reporting.
Not that this is relevant however it was included in the article so I will address it. There is nothing alleged about Mr.Johnson’s actions as he readily admitted what he did to FCSO Deputies as well as city officials. Aside from the fact that it was a cat feeding station that was destroyed, this is only part of our concern. No one should be allowed to take the law no matter their beliefs and destroy equipment that is part of a city program that is being utilized on city property. Anyone that does so should not be permitted to run for any office in any municipality.
TR says
I don’t think the program is a good one. Like Dennis says some areas smell horrible. I myself think that anyone that feeds these so called community cats should take them home and keep them out of my yard where they use my yard as their own littler box. If they are so concerned about these cats then take on the entire responsibility and bring the cat in their home and care 100% for them until they die. I’m guessing the reason for a cat to be roaming the neighborhoods is because someone (who should have never owned the cat to begin with) left the cat behind when they moved or someone just didn’t want the cat anymore. Whatever the reason, he who feeds the cat(s) should take the cat home and take care of it that way. If this would happen then there wouldn’t be a community cat problem at all.
Don’t get me wrong I love cats. Had three all at one time and they all lived to be 15 years +. Also at the same time had a dog and a flying squirrel.
CELIA PUGLIESE says
The Community Cats system is humanly working with Humane Society and the city animal contro, tackling the inhumane dumping of innocent defenseless cats by humans! I have one of this kitties dumped of two the sibling killed by traffic…He has become my loving companion following me like my shadow always indoors kept now. Lets support all those organizations like Humane Society Community Cats, Flagler Cats, Smart and others that rescue and help homeless pets ! They humanly avoid euthanasia!
Gail Walton says
Outside cats are responsible for the death of 1.3 to 4 billion birds per year according to Cornell University and University of Wisconsin. Read “Cat Wars” by Peter Marra and Chris Santella. They will hunt birds and other wildlife even if they are fed because it is their instinct as is easily evidenced by house cats chasing feather toys.
Cats are invasive says
THANK YOU!!! GOD LOVE YOU. Cats. are. Invasive. keep them inside kitty kitty
Laurel says
Feral cats are “vermin” and “invasive” according to some here. No, they are dumped. I think about our sweet, tiny buff girl we just lost. I think about our other sweet buff girl, who I called my heartbeat. I think about my orange tiger boy, who was a pistol, but loved our other cats. I think about our beautiful, sweet silver tabby boy. All were captured and adopted by us.
They were not “vermin.”
It is greatly exaggerated about the number of wildlife killed by cats. My silver tabby, was born in the bushes behind my apartment. He was the only kitten to survive, and I caught him at six months of age. He once broke out, and I refused to feed him outside. After a week, he lost weight and looked scruffy. He finally gave in and came back in for a good meal, and never attempted another escape. The birds and squirrels have much more to fear from hawks and owls. Though some cats are good at capturing wildlife, others mostly dine on lizards and bugs. Their lifespans are short.
Over the years, all our cats were either captured or adopted strays who were dumped (abandonment is illegal) the result of not neutering or spaying of pets. All of our cats have been (and our current two) strictly indoor cats, thus under our control. Can’t say the same for some dog owners, many of whom allow their dogs to run free, not gated, and off leash to crap in other people’s yards and pack up and attack other pets. Short term renters bring in their dogs and let them run loose in areas they are not familiar with. Again, this is not the dogs’ fault, it’s the people who refuse consideration.
Humans are responsible, so humans should properly adopt and care for these cats. I congratulate those who spend their time and money trying to help these cats live a somewhat normal life. These TNR cats are fed and vaccinated. It’s a humane program that needs our support.
YankeeExPat says
” Humans are responsible , so humans should properly adopt and care for cats “…….your quote
There are billions of rats ,mice and cockroaches looking for a good home also , perhaps you may want to help them out. ?
If a dog bites someone, it’s owner is legally responsible and if applicable the canine can be euthanized for that act. If a cat is killing native birds, reptiles squirrels and yes ,…..other cats … who bears the responsibility ?
Hence they are “vermin” and “invasive”
jeffery c. seib says
As an animal and all living things lover I cannot disagree more with the University of Florida study recommending euthanasia for abandoned felines. Unfortunately, this study is guilty of violating one of the cardinal rules of scientific journalism. That is, never craft the study and the research to achieve a preconceived goal. In this area, studies abound, some for, some against the TNR process for reducing cats without a home, living outside. TNR is not a perfect solution. Euthanasia is not a perfect solution. From my work with abandoned cat colonies, I have the perfect solution and it is us. People should not abandon or ‘dump’ cats and kittens outside. The numbers of reproduction of one female cat may be true in a lab environment or in our homes with un spayed cats. In the ‘wild’ because of the tremendous mortality outside for cats, colonies naturally decline, except for the new abandoned and dumped animals. so, I support this caring method to keep the numbers at bay.
Gail Walton says
Indeed yes, they are invasive. They are not a native species. They came over with the Europeans. Our wildlife have not evolved to cope with these predators.
Laurel says
So, my boy Radar, was named for his especially long ears. He was beautiful, with his longhair silver coat, and his aqua eyes. His mother, Katie, was a cute, little tuxedo, who was clearly dumped as she had some experience with humans, and though cautious, still was friendly. My neighbor downstairs and I were not sure what to do at the time, and as it turned out, she was already pregnant again. When she had her second litter of four kittens, Radar stuck by her and helped with his siblings. He was a big baby!
Katie was unusually smart. She would stare at us as if she could see through us. She would lay out on the ground, while her kittens played behind her in the bushes. One day, I asked Katie to show off her kittens. I swear to you as I live, she got up, moved closer to our apartment building, laid down again, and her kittens followed her out!
My neighbor and I captured her and her kittens, and took Katie in for a spaying. My mom took in the kittens to socialize them before taking them to the Humane Society. My neighbor had set up a bed, litter pan and food and water bowls for Katie when she came back from the vet. When we brought Katie back from the vet, she walked from the food bowls, to the litter pan, to the bed. She had stitches all down her abdomen, but she was delighted to have sanctuary. My neighbor found Katie a home.
I caught Radar with a string from my second floor apartment balcony, down to a carrier with a can of cat food inside. Radar went in, and I managed to close the door on him. I brought him up to my apartment, and let him out inside. He was so fearful, he slammed himself against the glass doors and windows in an attempt to escape. He had no concept of a ceiling. I had to close all windows and sliders off with curtains. After one month, I was able to comb him out.
When my husband and I first got together, he fell in love with Radar as Radar was so sweet. We had him for nearly 15 years.