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Abundance of feral cats causes concern for homeowners
BRUCE WILLIAMS
Published: Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2003
DEAR BRUCE: Weâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve lived in the Florida Keys for a long time. We would like to stay here, but this area is now inundated with feral cats - formerly domesticated, now wild cats. These animals proliferate at an alarming rate and have been known to attack domestic pets. They are a health hazard and donâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t contribute to a very pleasant way of life. If I were to go out and buy a gun and start shooting these animals, Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]d be arrested. Local animal lovers say the only answer is to capture and neuter the animals so they canâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t procreate. But nobody gets excited if there is a rat infestation and the exterminators come in. Somehow, these cats are exempt. We are thinking of selling our home and moving, which will break our heart. Can you suggest anything at all that we might be able to do?
DEAR M.J.: I truly sympathize, as they are not only a health hazard, but can also compromise property values, which hits you where you least want - in the wallet. I have visited friends in the Keys and have seen an unbelievable amount of cats roaming. They are in a warm, friendly environment where there are no natural predators. I donâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t see where there is any great difference between these animals and other pests. However unpleasant a prospect it might be, these animals must be trapped and euthanized. If this problem isnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t taken care of, you may want to get out while you can, and while your homeâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s value is still stable.
Bruce Williams is a syndicated columnist.
If you wish to respond, do so without emotional outbursts, and educate this individual to the best of your ability on where he has gone wrong in his thinking-
Bruce Williams
Smart Money
P. O. Box 503
Elfers, FL 34680
[email protected]
www.brucewilliams.com
BRUCE WILLIAMS
Published: Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2003
DEAR BRUCE: Weâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve lived in the Florida Keys for a long time. We would like to stay here, but this area is now inundated with feral cats - formerly domesticated, now wild cats. These animals proliferate at an alarming rate and have been known to attack domestic pets. They are a health hazard and donâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t contribute to a very pleasant way of life. If I were to go out and buy a gun and start shooting these animals, Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]d be arrested. Local animal lovers say the only answer is to capture and neuter the animals so they canâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t procreate. But nobody gets excited if there is a rat infestation and the exterminators come in. Somehow, these cats are exempt. We are thinking of selling our home and moving, which will break our heart. Can you suggest anything at all that we might be able to do?
DEAR M.J.: I truly sympathize, as they are not only a health hazard, but can also compromise property values, which hits you where you least want - in the wallet. I have visited friends in the Keys and have seen an unbelievable amount of cats roaming. They are in a warm, friendly environment where there are no natural predators. I donâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t see where there is any great difference between these animals and other pests. However unpleasant a prospect it might be, these animals must be trapped and euthanized. If this problem isnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t taken care of, you may want to get out while you can, and while your homeâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s value is still stable.
Bruce Williams is a syndicated columnist.
If you wish to respond, do so without emotional outbursts, and educate this individual to the best of your ability on where he has gone wrong in his thinking-
Bruce Williams
Smart Money
P. O. Box 503
Elfers, FL 34680
[email protected]
www.brucewilliams.com
