u/Jax_the_Lady

ALLEY CAT ALLIES INCORPORATED v. UNITED STATES NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, et al., Case 1:24-cv-00876-RDM; DC District Court

Cats are an invasive species. They are an ecological nightmare to put it simply, they have helped contribute to the extinction of 63 species so far. The consequences for native birds especially has been devastating. They kill billions of birds annually. Since 1980 the world has lost 30% of the migratory bird population. The massive decline in birds will continue, with the largest contributing factor being the presence of outdoor cats.

Currently the US has no effective population management strategy for outdoor cats.

https://abcbirds.org/solutions/keep-cats-indoors/

https://wildlifecareofventura.org/cats-wildlife/

https://scvbirdalliance.org/keep-cats-indoors

https://nycbirdalliance.org/take-action/make-nyc-bird-friendly/keep-cats-indoors

https://www.pilchuckaudubon.org/blog/the-silent-bird-crisis-why-keeping-cats-contained-is-essential-for-conservation

Statements on outdoor cat management:

https://wildlife.org/tws-issue-statement-feral-and-free-ranging-domestic-cats/

https://abcbirds.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/CW-Feral-Cat-Position-Statement.pdf

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/faq-outdoor-cats-and-their-effects-on-birds/

One day a friend of mine reached out to me and told me a mama cat with kittens was living under her neighbor's house. I told her if she could catch mama and her kittens, she could bring them to me and I would get them all into a rescue.

She got all of them! When she showed up at my house, I asked if she had named any of them. She had named the mama cat Regina.

I did not ever plan on keeping Regina. I have fostered well over 100 cats/kittens. I'm a dog person, I take in stray cats because I love birds and I don't want them outdoors destroying native wildlife. I do not get attached to cats. Even the most aggressive ferals I have tamed and rehomed!

Regina seemed like such an easy semi-feral. I had no doubt she would do just fine as a pet. I got her used to being picked up, held, and pet. She did so well!

Then came intake day at the rescue. I held her while they did her intake, which included a blood draw and vaccines. She did perfect during the pokes. Then, the tech opened the carrier and asked Regina if she would like to go back in the carrier. Regina's eyes told me everything I needed to know in one glimpse. I saw her tense up immediately. Really without thinking, my hands and arms just reacted in the moment. I immediately scruffed her and pushed her into the carrier before she could take her rage out on anyone else. She bit me, but I was very happy no one else was hurt. It was a pretty bad bite. I ended up needing antibiotics after my hand swelled up.

The rescue refused to take her after that incident. They told me to put her back outside after she was spayed.

I refused. I tried to rehome her myself for months. Other cats (some feral, some friendly) came into my life and I had found them rescue/homes after being spayed/neutered. But I found myself becoming pickier about who Regina could go to.

I started asking friends if they wanted her. Because I came to a point where I would have been so sad to never see her again.

This cat has weaseled her way into my heart. Part of me still wonders if she somehow planned this. It seems that way sometimes. This cat is obsessed with me, she sees me and she needs to be near me.

I have (begrudgingly?) adopted a cat. I love her so much. It's a trip.

The person feeding all of them didn't have money to spay/neuter. She had cats of her own, and then several strays that showed up that she also fed. They reproduced a crazy amount in a very short timeframe. I fostered until all of the cats/kittens were placed into rescues. I reached out to a rescue organization that I foster for. They paid for vet costs and transported these babies from our southern area to northern area no-kill rescues that partner with them. 3 adults were spayed and returned. She agreed to keep the 3 we spayed for her indoors 💚 It was a wild kitten season, and this year has been off to a crazy start as well. Just trying to think of what we accomplished last year to keep pushing forward. I just had 10 foster kittens leave yesterday for transport that my friend and I pulled out from underneath a trailer. Both of the mamas for those 10 have been spayed, but there's more there. We have plans to go back next week. I'm already so tired, but the exhaustion will be worth it I'm sure.

Almost every person I have run into that feeds strays that I have offered spay/neuter assistance to has taken my help. I'm not sure how many people have broken down in tears after I ask if they would like help. It has surprised me how many of them actually want better conditions for these animals, but I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. Many of these people can afford a bag of food, but they cannot afford a spay/neuter. Some don't even understand the importance of spay/neuter, but after explaining most people get it. People I have assisted in the past also tend to reach out to me when new cats show up. I try to help them before things get out of hand again.