"Do you know the difference between community cat activity and irresponsible feeding?"
Community cat activity and irresponsible feeding are not the same thing.
When sending out about local cat activities,
Feeding increases the number of cats.
Then you can keep it at home.
Some people don't like cats.
We may receive such opinions.
I can understand that feeling too.
However, I would like you to know that "local cat activity" and "irresponsible feeding" are completely different.
Cats are very fertile animals.
Generally, they are able to breed around 5 to 9 months after birth, and may give birth 2 to 3 times a year. In many cases, 3 to 6 kittens are born in one birth, and if conditions overlap, the number of stray cats will increase greatly in a short period of time.
Therefore, if nothing is done, not only will the number of lives suffering from traffic accidents, illness, hunger, etc. increase, but also the living environment of the area may be affected by cries, manure, garbage trolls, etc.
That s why in the community cat activity, we perform infertility / neutering surgery (TNR) and value "not to increase unhappy lives any more."
Cats that have finished surgery have "Sakura ears" with V-shaped ears as a proof. This is a sign that "this cat has undergone infertility and neutering surgery."
And community cat activities are not just about feeding.
It is a local cat activity including feeding and watering at a predetermined place and time, collecting dishes and leftovers after eating, cleaning the surroundings, etc. with consideration and responsibility for the community.
On the other hand, if you do not perform infertility / castration surgery and give only food without breeding measures, the number of cats will continue to increase, and as a result, the cat itself and the area may be in trouble.
Of course, that person may also be acting out of a gentle feeling that "I feel sorry for the hungry cat."
That's why I want you to know the importance of "preventing breeding" and "doing appropriate management" instead of blaming.
Local cat activities are not just for cat lovers.
If there is no TNR activity, there is a possibility that the number of stray cats will increase and the troubles felt by those who do not like cats will increase.
In other words, local cat activities are not only to prevent an increase in unfortunate lives, but also to protect the environment where the whole area can live safely, including those who do not like cats.
Whether you like cats or not, we would be happy if you could understand each other's position and think together about "how to become an area where people and cats can live safely."
As a first step, we sincerely hope that you will know the difference between "local cat activity" and "irresponsible feeding."
私自身も地域猫活動に関わる中で、無責任な餌やりとの明確な違いを痛感しています。TNR活動をすることで、猫の繁殖制限が実現し、不幸な子猫の増加を防げるのはもちろん、猫たちの健康状態も改善されていくのを見てきました。特に「さくら耳」がついている猫は、誰が見ても手術済みだと分かり、地域の皆さんが安心して共生できる指標になっています。 また、給餌は決められた時間・場所で行い、残った餌や食べ残しはきちんと片付けます。これにより、猫の集まりすぎやゴミ荒らしも減少し、地域環境が清潔に保たれていることを実感しています。私が知る限り、地域猫活動は猫好きだけでなく、猫に困っている方々も巻き 込んだ地域全体の問題解決の取り組みだと感じます。 一方で、避妊去勢せずにただ餌だけ与える無責任な餌やりは、繁殖を招き野良猫の数が増え、結果的に交通事故や衛生問題、地域のトラブルを招きかねません。また、餌やりが不定期で食べ残しが放置されることで、ネズミや害虫の発生源となる場合もありました。 地域猫活動を理解し、尊重することで、人も猫も共に暮らしやすい環境づくりに貢献できると思います。地域の中で相互理解を深め、猫の命と地域環境の両方を守るために、まずは「地域猫活動」と「無責任な餌やり」の違いを知ることから始めてみてください。
