Support Trap-Neuter-Return for Mesquite, TX (MESQUITE RESIDENTS ONLY PLEASE)

Dear Mesquite Neighbors,

My name is Holly Rodriguez and I am a resident of Creek Crossing. I am a strong supporter of Trap-Neuter-Return because it is the only effective approach to cat management. I would like to explain some of the science behind feral cat populations. First and foremost, feral cats will always exist. Some people are under the mistaken impression that there is a choice between having cats in their neighborhood and not having cats. Communities have caught and killed feral cats for decades at great expense to taxpayers and with no success. It does not decrease feral cat populations. If catching and killing cats had worked, we would not need to address these issues. Attempts at permanently removing cats from an area are futile because of the vacuum effect. The vacuum effect is what happens when even a portion of an animal population is removed from its home range and more animals move in to take advantage of the resources. Trap-Neuter-Return does effectively stabilize feral cat poplulations. Under TNR, cats are humanely trapped, neutered, vaccinated, eartipped for identification, and returned to their outdoor homes. Eartipping is the universal symbol of a neutered and vaccinated cat. TNR improves feral cats’ lives and ends the breeding cycle, which means no more kittens. It also ends mating behaviors including yowling, fighting, spraying, and roaming. Colonies that are involved in TNR diminish in size over time. During an 11-year study of TNR at the University of Florida, the number of cats declined by 66% with no new kittens being born after the first four years of operation. A very successful TNR program in Jacksonville, Florida, has spayed/neutered 20, 000 cats since 2008, and as a result, the number of cats killed in the city’s shelter decreased nearly 60%. More and more communities are embracing TNR. According to a recent study by Alley Cat Allies, more than 340 cities and counties participate in TNR, including Arlington, Dallas, Fort Worth, Garland, and Plano. They have adopted TNR because the old way of doing things, catching and killing cats, has failed to address the feral cat population. Feral cat caregivers did not create the stray and feral cat population, and these cats will continue to breed unless someone steps in to spay/neuter and vaccinate them. Catching and killing cats has failed, and TNR is the only way to go. Outdoor cats have been part of our landscape for thousands of years, and always will be. I urge you to support TNR in our community by signing this petition- CITY OF MESQUITE RESIDENTS ONLY PLEASE (LEAVE CONTACT INFO.). To follow our progress please go to www.facebook.com/justiceforbobbiesue.  Thank you!