Feral cats, by the very definition are wild animals. About the only other animals you can not shoot are endangered species. And in many cases feral cats are contributing to the endangerment by eating the endangered animal. We can not shoot the endangered animal and we can not shoot the feral cat that is eating the endangered animal.
Makes no sense
2007-12-30 05:39:57 · 10 answers · asked by chapellecasitas 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Because how can you tell a feral cat from a pet? Many people would use the excuse that they thought it was feral when it was in fact someone's friend.
2007-12-30 05:44:57 · answer #1 · answered by suigeneris-impetus 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Contrary to what one may think, in many places you can shoot feral cats. In the United States it's only legal to humanely trap the animal and this can be done fairly easily, with any number of live traps. Feral cats are not the only predator raising havoc with wild life. On Hawaii the animal causing nearly irreversible damage is the pig. Cats are the more visible animal in most places. Generally speaking, if you see a cat stalking an animal on the endangered list, simply run at it. Usually it will give the other animal time to get to safety. It's way to easy mistake a feral cat from a pet. Plus, unless you have a large amount of land, the possibility of hitting something other than the animal is likely to happen. And I don't care if you are a crack shot, it takes but a second for a child or dog to walk into your sights.
2007-12-30 13:54:37 · answer #2 · answered by caje 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well for one, you can't hunt almost anything. And if you can, you must purchase permits and in some cases, apply for permits to hunt. And there is a daily and seasonal limit. Hunting is used to control wild populations. Feral cats are NOT wild animals. They are domestic cats who are not tame; that is the definition. If some golden retriever pups got loose and were wary of humans, would it be okay to shoot them? No. Feral cats are not anything other than loose and wary domestic cats; they do not belong in the environment and truthfully, while it is bad that they are out there, overrunning and damaging the delicate balance of the environment, so are human beings and you don't see other people out shooting the people who build new housing developments, do you?
The ideal way to help minimize feral cat populations is catch, neuter, release. By trapping, spaying or neutering, innoculating them, and releasing them, the populations will dwindle over time. Another way to help is volunteering at a rescue or taking in unwanted cats on your own and trying to find good homes. When people move and abandon their animals, often times they become feral or give birth to kittens who are feral.
There are lots of ways to get involved with controlling feral cat populations. It can be as simple as donating $5 to those who have time and resources enough to control feral cat populations. Check out http://www.alleycat.org/ for more information on what you can do. Although, I suspect this was more of a rant than a real question, but you never know...
2007-12-30 13:53:12 · answer #3 · answered by PetRescuer 3 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Feral cats are no different than any other cats.
Hey, what the heck why not shoot homeless people.
They once use to have a home but now they are in the harsh wilderness called the streets.
No domesticated animals should be rid off. That is why there is overpopulation control.
A well thought out question would have been
" What else can be done to help feral cats?"
2007-12-30 20:31:25 · answer #4 · answered by catmandingo 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Farm cats, lost cats, neighbor cats who are out briefly ALL look the same as feral cats. You could get into legal trouble shooting other people's property.
Just because something moves doesn't mean it needs to be shot. You're not using it for food and there's no reason to cause agony in anything that lives in your area.
2007-12-30 16:52:38 · answer #5 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is a good question. Why is ok to hunt and shoot wild animals? They should be left alone. It;'s not a sport and it doesn't make sense
2007-12-30 13:54:35 · answer #6 · answered by Ken 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I have to agree with Ken. You shouldn't be allowed to shoot any wild animal. Its mostly our fault we have endangered animals in the first place.
2007-12-30 17:21:04 · answer #7 · answered by catlover1995 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well first off. the feline was brought to the states. we brought them here and started this whole over population of cats. : / i would recommend if you have a problem with feral cats go to your local feed store and buy a live animal trap. trap the cats in there and call your local animal shelter and have them come pick it up OR take it TO your local animal shelter.
this is mainly to make sure you dont get introuble for shooting animals. someone could see you and try to get you introuble for animal cruelty. : ) gotta be careful now a days.
2007-12-30 13:48:24 · answer #8 · answered by Rach 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋
I shoot whatever I need to on our 45 acres!!!!
2007-12-30 13:43:43 · answer #9 · answered by MiMi Sugar 4 · 0⤊ 5⤋
Its just nature. Let it be.
2007-12-30 13:52:44 · answer #10 · answered by Maria 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋