Feeding your Canine Companion

2005 Annual Report
Please click here to view the Sequoia Humane Society's 2005 Annual Report (PDF)

Vets Who Support SHS Spay/Neuter Drives Sunny Brae Animal Clinic 900 Buttermilk Lane Arcata, CA 822-5124 Eureka Veterinary Hospital 4433 Broadway Eureka, CA 442-4885 Animal Health & Surgery Center 1257 Riverwalk Drive Fortuna, CA 725-6154 Myrtle Avenue Veterinary Hospital 2715 Hubbard Lane Eureka, CA 443-8686 McKinleyille Animal Care Ctr 2151 Central Ave. McKinleyville, CA 839-1504 Redwood Animal Hospital 1585 School Rd. McKinleyville, CA 839-9414 Fortuna Vet Clinic 251 Fortuna Blvd. Fortuna, CA 725-6131 Broadway Animal Hospital 3700 Broadway Eureka, CA 442-5717 Arcata Animal Hospital 1701 Giuntoli Lane Arcata, CA 822-2402 Ferndale Vet Clinic 1140 Van Ness Ave. Ferndale, CA 786-4200 Healing Spirit Animal Wellness Center 7650 Myrtle Ave. Eureka, CA 822-8307 Cutten Animal Health Center 4015 Walnut Drive Ste. B Eureka, CA 445-0877 Garberville-Redway Vet Group 230 Alderpoint Rd. Garberville, CA 923-2023 Animal Medical Center 105 N. Main Street Fortuna, CA 725-6114

"Cats outdoors - it's a fact of life - it doesn't have to be a sad fact." - Alley Cat Allies

Feral cats live outdoors - in alleys, barns and in vacant buildings - anywhere food, water and shelter are available. How did these cats get there? Generally speaking, feral cats were once domesticated cats that were lost or abandoned and have reverted to a wild state, or they may have been born to a stray or feral mother and become "un-socialized" because they had little or no human contact. They live in family groups called "colonies" and will breed uncontrolled unless their populations are managed.

One un-spayed female cat can produce literally thousands of offspring. Trapping and destroying these animals is expensive and does not solve the overpopulation problem, as other cats will simply move in and take over their "niche". Fortunately, there is an effective and humane solution called Trap-Neuter-Return ("TNR"), in which cats are humanely trapped and brought to a veterinarian where they are tested for disease, spayed/neutered, vaccinated, ear-tipped (so they can be identified from a distance), and returned to their colonies under the lifelong care of volunteers. Kittens and tame cats are socialized and placed in loving homes.

There are many myths about feral cats, leading to unfounded and inaccurate accusations as to their role in the community. For example, some people claim that feral cats spread disease. However, studies conducted by veterinarians and scientists have shown that the incidence of disease in feral cats is no higher than among owned cats. Studies have also determined that as many as 1 in 5 households feed stray and feral cats. But feeding cats without also having them spayed and neutered exacerbates the problem. The purpose of TNR is to reduce feral cat populations by halting reproduction without causing harm to the cats. An established long-term TNR program can reduce feral cat populations in both the short and the long run.

There are other benefits to TNR - cats that have been neutered often develop a friendlier attitude toward their caregivers and are less likely to roam, spray, fight and display other negative behaviors associated with free roaming cats.

The American Veterinary Medical Association endorses TNR. Feral Friends - a collaboration of the Humboldt Spay/Neuter Network, Companion Animal Foundation and Bless the Beasts - promotes TNR locally, helping feral cat caretakers by providing financial assistance, humane traps, and information on feral cat management.

"Cats may be independent, but they are not as self-sufficient as you think," says Cynthia MacMillan, Executive Director of the Sequoia Humane Society. "Many people leave cats to fend for themselves when they move, thinking they can survive on rodents, etc. This is how feral cat colonies get started."

"The best thing cat owners can do to help us control the feral cat population is to spay and neuter their own animals," says Jennifer Raymond, President of Humboldt Spay/Neuter Network.

There are many managed feral colonies in Humboldt County - probably even in your own neighborhood. For more information on how you can help, contact Feral Friends at 825-PETS.

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HSUS - Feral Cats

National Animal Poison Control Center

Plants for Pets: Hazardous and Safe

Small Animal Poisons (AVMA)

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