Feral Cat Colonies Present Perfect Storm of Rabies Risk

[XemaSab]

Feral cat colonies bring together a series of high risk elements that result in a ‘perfect storm’ of rabies exposure, according to Steve Holmer, senior policy analyst at American Bird Conservancy. Holmer’s assertion is part of his presentation, called “Managed Cat Colonies and Rabies,” that is one of 28 presentations being aired in over 70 countries in connection with the second annual World Rabies Day International Webinar to be held September 21 and 22.

Managed cat colonies are becoming common in most major U.S. cities and are usually operated by volunteers who like to feed cats, rely on a scheme called Trap, Neuter, Release (TNR), whereby cats are trapped, neutered, and then returned to the outdoors. Unfortunately, these cats are often not vaccinated against rabies. Even when they are vaccinated when first trapped, re-trapping cats to revaccinate can be problematic as the cats become wary of the traps. There is also typically not the funding or infrastructure among the colony feeders to repeatedly re-trap cats to administer vaccines.

Peer reviewed studies have shown that over time, cat colonies increase in size, the result of the inability to neuter or spay all the cats and the dumping of unwanted cats at the colony sites by callous pet owners. The result is a large number of unvaccinated cats.

“While cats make up a small percentage of rabies vectors, they are responsible for a disproportionate number of human exposures,” said Holmer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most people are exposed to rabies due to close contact with domestic animals such as cats and dogs. Although dogs historically posed a greater rabies threat to humans, dog-related incidents have become less frequent in recent decades, dropping from 1,600 cases in 1958 to just 75 in 2008. Meanwhile, cases involving cats have increased over the same period with spikes of up to 300 cases in a single year.

http://www.abcbirds.org/newsandreports/releases/110921.html

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

1. Planet of The Cats?

.

[Kennah]

2. "cats become wary of the traps"

Get real! A cat fud works every time.

[sasha031]

3. they could do what Cape Cod, Ma does / Rabies vaccine bait

http://www.capecodpets.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=225

[hedgehog]

Here in Upstate New York, the Health departments put a stop to

an epidemic of rabies by dropping bait containing an oral vaccine from airplanes.

http://www.catchannel.com/news/2011/02/28/vaccine-used-to-eliminate-raccoon-rabies-proven-safe-in-cats-dogs.aspx

[Ian David]

4. Looks like the anti-vax people unrec'd because they think cats get autism? n/t

[FarCenter]

6. No, the vacine bait makes the cats retarded, and the next year the retarded cat can't find the bait

[Big Blue Marble]

5. Considering the source, I consider this anti-cat scare propaganda.

I am extremely well aware of the bird crisis due to cat over-populations. I strongly support keeping
our cats neutered and inside for both the protection of wild life and the cat, themselves.

At the same time, this kind of anti-cat scare tactic will result in more cruelty and abuse of cats.
The important agenda of protecting our precious bird populations needs better strategies than this one.

[joeybee12]

8. I think so, too...all my ferals get their rabies vaccinations...

The lesson is that YOU SHOULD have ferl colonies so you can manage them...better than individual cats roaming around and some persons thinks, oh, come here pretty kitty and gets bitten.

[ironrooster]

7. I think feeding these animals that will still kill native animals is stupid

[mike_c]

9. pfft....

Oral vaccines are available so trapping is unnecessary. We could deliver oral rabies vaccines to feral cat colonies by incorporating it into birdseed, much like other food products are routinely augmented with added vitamins, etc. We need a law requiring that all wild songbird feed deliver a booster dose of rabies vaccines up food webs.

There. Problem solved!











Yes, this was :sarcasm:, but ONLY because we can't stimulate immunity that way. Otherwise I'd be SO on it!

On edit: and I rescued yet another kitten last weekend!