Why do I need to spay/neuter the whole colony?
Only doing a few of the cats does not solve the stray cat problem. It will only increase the survival rate of the new kittens born.
Why should I do the males and not just the females since they are the ones that give birth?
If you leave males unaltered they will find another female and bring her back to your food source. In trying to find that female they may cross roads and become injured. They are more likely to fight with other cats (fixed or not), and are more likely to contract and spread Feline Leukemia and/or Feline Immunodeficiency virus. Additionally, the urine of unneutered males is much stronger smelling and generally considered extremely offensive, leading to community opposition to the animals presence.
Why should I trap, neuter and return instead of removing them entirely?
Trap, neuter, return is the most effective way of controlling feral/stray cat populations. When cats are removed from an area, other feral or stray cats move in to take advantage of the food source.
Does having stray cats around my house pose a rabies threat to my family and me?
No. It can actually protect you if you have them vaccinated. All cats spayed/neutered through our vets do get vaccinated for rabies. Sterilized, vaccinated cats will deter other unvaccinated cats and wildlife from moving into the area. They provide a "buffer" zone for humans.
I cant afford to pay fixing felines what else can I do?
Everything Fixing Felines does can be done on your own with patience and time. You would first need to join The Cat Network, Inc. (CN). You can visit their website at www.thecatnetwork.org or call them at 305/255-3482. Membership dues begin at $10 a year. You can borrow (with a deposit) from CN or purchase a humane animal trap from Home Depot or a feed store. CN sells spay and neuter certificates which may be used at over 40 veterinarians in South Florida; the certificate covers the cost of sterilization, rabies vaccination and ear tipping. These certificates are to be used on stray/feral cats only. NO PETS ALLOWED. You can set traps, catch cats, cover with a sheet or towel, transport to the vet, recoup in trap, and return the cat to its trapped location.
Why shouldnt I give cats/kittens away "free to a good home"?
While you may think these people have the best of intentions, they may not. People feed kittens to snakes and/or use them to train pit bulls to be more aggressive. Others may pose as animal lovers and then sell them to research labs. Charge an adoption fee (amount dependent upon whether you have had the animal tested, vaccinated, dewormed, sterilized, etc; $50 is an average adoption fee for our area) to prevent subjecting animals to guaranteed pain, suffering, and death.