Although the recently publicized neuter, trap and release program appears to be a more humane alternative to managing the feral cat population here in Brick, I believe our residents and township officials have a responsibility to further consider more of the implications of such a program before they fully commit to allocating public resources to support it.
My family and I have been responsible animal owners over many years, and I certainly support the humane treatment of cats and other animals. I do not, however, believe that it is fair to the people of Brick to allow feral cat colonies in residential neighborhoods. Colonies of outdoor cats, domestic or feral, create significant nuisance and health issues that extend beyond the property lines of the cat owners, and those illegally feeding multitudes of stray cats.
While Point Pleasant’s trap and release program was recently hailed by some officials as a model program, more recent headlines report there have been rabid cats found in these colonies. This problem clearly suggests that this type of program needs further examination and fine-tuning.
I understand it can be very sad to see stray kittens and cats going hungry. However, those who choose to take the responsibility to feed stray cats and foster feral cat colonies should then also take responsibility for neutering them, getting them vaccinated against rabies and keeping them within the confines of their own property.
The recently outlined trap and release program is certainly humane, but as reported thus far, does not appear to be an effective or reasonable solution to the nuisance issue and/or the health-related issues. Any form of release where feral cats are free to go back to roaming on others’ private property is not an acceptable, reasonable or fair solution to the residents of Brick Township.
Important issues that need to be further considered involve identifying who will be responsible for vaccinating the feral cats against rabies, and where the feral cats will be returned.
Residential neighborhoods are not acceptable places for feral cat colonies, and we certainly do not want Brick to be the new “dumping ground” for other towns’ unwanted cats.
Before we implement a trap and release program, there needs to be further consideration of these pertinent issues and the impact that the program will have on those who live here.
Darren Caffery
Brick