The Feral Cat Dilemma
02/10/06

Feral cats are domestic cats by breeding that have reverted to wild. They are adept at avoiding human contact or even detection. They are prolific breeders whose numbers skyrocket logarithmically if not sterilized. Kittens born to these animals will avoid human contact if not handled by humans very early in life. These animals suffer horrible lives, often afflicted with various internal and external parasites, malnourished, unloved, and destined to die young. They carry and transmit many parasites and diseases to our pet cats and can even transmit human diseases such as rabies. They are a very real problem right here in Dripping Springs and nation wide.

In the US we put to sleep 6 to 8 million unwanted pets annually in pet shelters across the country. This is a staggering number and is the direct result of our poor stewardship of these domesticated animals. Untold millions avoid capture and promulgate the problem. This is a difficult subject, too easily avoided by most of us.

There are those who care, however. Thundering Paws Animal Sanctuary is a registered non-profit organization of dedicated individual’s right here in Dripping Springs who are doing their best to prevent the suffering of feral cats and dogs. They are not associated with the PAWS animal shelter in Kyle.

As it turns out, our beloved downtown area is fairly overrun by feral cats. Businesses move in and begin to feed a wandering cat in their area who then sticks around for the groceries, begins to reproduce and a colony is born. If the business then moves out the colony is left without a source of food. The kind folks at Thundering Paws are trying to feed and water, trap, sterilize, vaccinate and release these animals and have identified numerous colonies.

Thundering Paws needs your help with this labor of love. Please contact them to volunteer, adopt, donate, or simply spread the word. Thanks for Caring!

Thundering Paws Animal Sanctuary
PO Box 1555
Dripping Springs, TX  78620-1555
www.thunderingpaws.org
512-402-9725