A Humane Path Forward for Polk County
By Coryn Julien, Associate Director of Communications, Alley Cat Allies
News reports in recent months paint a clear picture that Polk County has reached a crossroads in its approach to animal protection and cat management, with two distinct paths forward. One option – continuing to kill cats and kittens – would reinforce Polk County’s reputation as one of Florida’s deadliest areas for animals and further lose the trust of the community. The other option is to pursue humane, evidence-based nonlethal policies for cats that will save taxpayer dollars, as well as assure residents that Polk County is evolving and improving for animals and people alike. This is, of course, an easy choice to make.
In the last several years, Polk County has routinely topped the annual list of Florida counties with the highest number of animals “euthanized,” though killed is the more accurate term. While killing cats may have been the norm decades ago, it has since been cast aside by many municipal leaders, who discovered firsthand that years of ghastly “catch and kill” policies amounted to nothing. Rounding up and killing cats simply does not work to manage outdoor cat populations and is overwhelmingly unpopular with the public.
Removal of cats through killing or other means may briefly reduce the number of cats in an area, but it is only temporary. Other cats quickly become attracted to resources such as food and shelter and move in to take advantage of them. The cats breed, and the population rebounds quickly. This phenomenon is known as the Vacuum Effect, and scientists have observed it in cats and other species.
This is why, even though some communities have been killing cats for decades, they are no closer to driving away all outdoor cats. Cats live outdoors and always have, and they are here to stay. Lethal policies only serve to drain critical community resources and spill innocent cats’ blood for no gain.
Beyond being ineffective, the large-scale killing of cats is reprehensible to the majority of the public. In a nationwide poll Alley Cat Allies conducted with Harris Interactive, 84 percent of Americans said they prefer that their community use tax dollars to adopt sterilization as its cat control policy instead of bringing cats found outdoors into shelters to be killed. Polk County and its cats deserve better.
Cats Outside
To build the best strategy, we first need a better understanding of the cats who live outdoors in our cities and towns.
It is perfectly normal for these cats, known as community cats, to live outside. In fact, the concept of cats as indoor-only companions is a human invention that is less than 100 years old, only made possible with the introduction of kitty litter. In the centuries before, cats lived exclusively outdoors.
Some question the relationship between cats and other wildlife, such as birds. But here again, we can take our lead from research and facts. Scientific evidence consistently exonerates the domestic cat species of being a major threat to wildlife populations, and researchers have debunked grossly exaggerated estimates of birds killed by cats outdoors. Leading biologists, climate scientists, and environmental watchdogs agree that climate change, habitat destruction, and development are the leading causes of species loss, and to a dramatic degree. Attempting to pin blame on cats conveniently ignores the reality that the solutions lie squarely in our hands.
The Humane, Nonlethal Approach
There is a better way than killing – better for cats and better for Polk County. Trap-Neuter-Return, or TNR for short, is the only humane and effective approach to addressing outdoor cat populations.
Through TNR, community cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, ear-tipped for identification, and returned to their outdoor homes to live out their lives.
TNR is sound public policy. Scientific studies show that it effectively and humanely addresses the community cat population, reduces shelter intake and killing, and reduces calls to animal services, which saves taxpayer dollars.
Scientific studies show that TNR ends the breeding cycle, meaning no new kittens are born outdoors while improving the lives and health of community cats. When cats are free from the burden of reproducing, their relationships improve with the people who live near them. And many diseases associated with reproduction, like cancer, are prevented.
Thousands of communities, including many in Florida, have embraced TNR at the grassroots level or as official government policy. It is popular because it works, in rural and urban settings, cold and warm climates, and everywhere in between. Polk County has an opportunity to truly engage with compassionate people in its community to protect cats, reduce outdoor cat populations, and improve neighborhoods countywide.
It’s An Easy Choice
People want to know their county has their back and is committed to forward-thinking, humane standards of care for animals. Polk County has the chance to choose this effective, nonlethal path forward. And it does not have to take the journey alone.
As a leader in the movement to protect cats and kittens, Alley Cat Allies stands ready to help Polk County by sharing strategies for community cat populations that are proven to work. But first, Polk County must realize that the public will never support killing cats en masse, and that any solution must be based on proven science and reflect the values of the community.
Alley Cat Allies is the worldwide organization that works to protect the lives of cats and kittens. First established in 1990, today the organization has more than 800,000 followers worldwide.
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ALL NEW COMMENTS on this article are closed
Euthanasia is really killing, then abortion is not very interesting
What if the cats attack, attacks an adult or a child to be malled in the face. Those are serious injuries.
Adults should know better than to try to pet, corner or touch any animal let alone ferral cats. I’m a huge fan of Grady Judd, however, now that I know that he is not even trying to improve the problem without killing the animals, I am so disappointed, angry and at a loss for words. Just because he doesn’t like something, does not give him or anyone else the right to kill at will. These cats did not ask to be born, dumped or left behind. Use the homeless as an example. No one wants to see people homeless, hungry, living in squaller…. So what are you going to do about them Sheriff Judd? Line them up and kill them????
Why do you dislike birds and rabbits ?
I’m confused by your question. Do you mean why let cats live to eat birds and rabbits? I for one have never seen a normal cat take down a rabbit. I was honored to know a cat that took down crows, snakes, a rabbit or two. BUT she was an exception to the rule kind of cat. She had also blinded two dogs messing with her human boys, so… the answer to your question is the circle of life. What happens to the squirrel you hit with your car? A possum , vulture, or a stray had a good meal. Birds only live for so long. Rabbits live for a few years longer. Point is nothing lives for ever, not even you.
BTW I help run a rescue in Indiana that takes in domestic and feral cats fix shot and release. Domestic are up for adoption. Same with our dogs! So year I’ve got a farm of them and a life time of experience!
The collection and killing of stray cats and kittens is disgusting and barbarically inhumane. Polk county should adopt the TNR program model that is working in many states and cities across the country. These Working Cats help keep the rodent population down in cities Florida has a high population of rodents where there is water there are rats. Let’s focus on rat populations.
I guess no one wants to discuss the damage that they cause whether they are fixed or not. Who is paying to repaint my car from the scratches and gouges caused from these cats? Who 8s going to come take and shovel my yard every day for free. People feel sorry for these cats and start feeding them and that attracts opossums and raccoons which carry rabies. W have hardly any squirrel or rabbits around anymore because the cats are killing them and leaving them in the yard in pieces. If you are going to fix them and turn them loose, then turn them loose way out in the woods and let them survive, not in neighborhoods.
Possum and raccoon don’t carry rabies as often as you would think. Domestic dogs carry rabies more often.
As for the paint job on your car. How often does the wind blow across your car, how often does a high winds hit in your car? Do you use a car wash? Same damage.
As for animal bits in your yard, free fertilizer. Squirrels tear up your vent in your roof, then make winter nests with what Ever is in the attic. Chew the wires, cause a fire. Boom no home. Rabbits dig holes in your yard to have their brood. Then abandon it come fall so you can step in it and break your ankle. Plus if you mower over their nest, rabbit tartar for everyone! So every animal has its drawbacks. What you have to do is find the happy balance. Get a squirrel feeder high in a tree. Make a rabbit safety zone where they can chill. Stop dogging on the felines, they are just doing their jobs! BTW felines were here way before your house or you were. Your in their territory. That’s a historical fact. Don’t be a ‘Karen’ about the cats.
You really need to do more research. In the state of Florida Raccoons and bats are responsible for most Rabies exposure. Domesticated cats were brought her by people and are not indigenous to the ecosystem. They are running loose and coming into contact with native wildlife and then become disease spreaders themselves. They are a man made problem and are devastating to Florida and the people that live here
Read this article https://www.alleycat.org/resources/feral-cats-and-the-public-a-healthy-relationship/ Science shows feral cat colonies aren’t a risk to humans
I agree ?…I don’t own a cat. I can’t leave the top down on my Jeep because when I do the cats get inside and sleep on my seats leaving cat hair everywhere and scratch the paint when jumping up on the hood and fenders. And they crap all over my yard.
Agreed, there is one that decided to live on my property. It enjoys sleeping on my classic Mercedes and continues to drive my dog’s crazy with their barking. My neighbor puts food out for it so it will never move on to anywhere else! Maybe it climbs all over their cars as well and it’s ok with them but not me and my cars! It’s a sad situation for sure, as I used to work for animal control and had to euthanize them and dogs. Why no concern for the dogs? Why not neuter or spay dogs as well and turn them loose as well or adopt them out for free? I’ve euthanized many and hated it every time! I remember my Dad asking me when I became God! He wasn’t pleased what I was doing but it was my job! I remember when Sheriff Judd took over animal control from the board of county commissioners who hired me back in 2004. We had a great boss back then and the road to animal control was named after him. It was sad for everyone when he departed! But we had to do the same under him.I wrote a plan to reduce prices for adoption for those over 55 and Sheriff Judd accepted the idea and now those on fixed incomes can afford a new partner in life, cats or dogs. Animal control also has Christmas event where anyone can adopt a pet at reduced prices. Early in December! I don’t know what the right answer is, but has nothing to do with our Sheriff hating cats!
All cats left outdoors should be killed along with their negligent owners! The demise of many a song an game birds is directly attributed to such behavior.
Scientists have proven you to be wrong. Lost habitat. Global warming and shifting food chain has everything to do with that. Felines can scare birds away. But my humming birds keep coming back year after year for 16 years now. Now matter the number of cate I have. Feral or domestic, I have both. I run I rescue. I get drop offs. I get notes saying they dropped off. I have song birds, I have all sorts of cool birds here in south central Indiana. Blue bunting, Cardinals, blue Jay, kildeer, barn swallows, eagles, bald eagles, hawks, retail hawks, titmouse, nuthatch, cowbird, mocking bird, perigan falcon(he got blown in), a few more I can’t think of. But they all get along with my cats. I feed the birds in the front yard (north). I feed the cats in the east yard. They enter and exit east or
west. Yes a bird or two get chomped but that’s called life. When your numbers up, your numbers up!
So please do your research before you blanket blame one animal for the demise of another. The only exception is HUMANITY, we can wipe out a whole nation of anything without one give a shit to the consequences.
At least the predator birds get to eat your cats!
Adults should know better than to try to pet, corner or touch any animal let alone ferral cats. I’m a huge fan of Grady Judd, however, now that I know that he is not even trying to improve the problem without killing the animals, I am so disappointed, angry and at a loss for words. Just because he doesn’t like something, does not give him or anyone else the right to kill at will. These cats did not ask to be born, dumped or left behind. Use the homeless as an example. No one wants to see people homeless, hungry, living in squaller…. So what are you going to do about them Sheriff Judd? Line them up and kill them????
I have 3 cats, I love them. I would prefer that the animals not be killed; however if killing them hasn’t reduced the population, how is TNR going to? Also, who wrote the title of this article? Why doesn’t the Sheriff NOT listen to facts? This doesn’t make sense.
What about these cats that do damage to people properly scratching vehicles carrying dead animals into boats or parked vehicles or buildings or just muddy paw prints on everything they walk on
The headline is grammatically incorrect. It should be “Why is Sheriff Grady Judd not listening to the facts?”.
The costs of the capture and kill process is probably about the same or less than the costs of TNR. As long as people do not spay/neuter and abandon/lose their pets, this will be a huge problem.
Tnr works. Killing feral colony cats is not the answer. Get with the program Grady Judd. I have been a member of alley cat alliance foe 10 years. I’m on the feral friend network. Murdering cats is not the answer. Raven
No, TNR doesn’t work and is horrible for wildlife, people in the county, and the cats themselves.
Let them freeze in the winter is Raven?
“TNVR is not free – cost approaches $100 per cat.”
“Feral cats cost US $17 Billion per year.”
“Cats kill 500 million birds and small mammals per year”
Lots of headlines out there. https://www.audubon.org/news/feral-cat-predation-birds-costs-billions-dollars-year
Coyote explosion in Florida might be supported by TNVR.
Perhaps it is time to research and find the real facts – whatever they may be. Let’s face it, you can’t inject an invasive predator like cats in to the system with out some perturbations.
Where do you get your so-called facts from the Audubon group no real science wrote those articles
This article is complete trash. There are many studies that show that TNR is not effective and can be catastrophic to local wildlife. These cats kill birds and other small animals at an alarming rate. That is why it is illegal to release Non-indigenous animals in this state. Are you asking the Sheriff to just ignore the law because you don’t agree? These cats are a safety hazard for other animals and people they come in contact with. They spread disease and destroy property. If you really want to save them build a shelter and keep them confined. TNR is a horrible program and a lot of people in this county don’t want it here.
Where are you getting your facts, TNR works.
Where are yours? This whole article is just fluff and people should trust it because you said so? The FWC talks about the devastation domesticated cats cause to native wildlife. The U.S Department of Agriculture, hell even PETA is against it. I could list sources all day but How about we address the fact that it is illegal to release non native animals in this state. So you are advocating for people to commit a crime. Please do your research
PETA article https://www.peta.org/features/does-tnr-really-save-cats/ was written by a writer with little or no knowledge of TNR. The U.S Department of Agriculture is not based on real science https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf/UW/UW46800.pdf