RE: Link

TNR does not reduce the number of feral cats in colonies, the practice actually attracts more cats by providing an artificial food source! Please Becky, stop spreading this nonsense; you know that TNR is based on perpetual colony maintenance. These colonies NEVER go away. If you must keep every cat alive and continue to deny them a humane end, then please take them home with you or encourage semi-responsible feral cat management by enclosing the colonies. TNR is animal abuse disguised as compassion. The caregivers get a warm and fuzzy feeling while the cats languish in substandard colonies exposed to the elements, cars, human abuse and predation by wild animals. TNR is hoarding without walls.

There is only one proven way to reduce the number and suffering of homeless outdoor and feral cats, and that is through Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR). Cats in a managed TNR colony are no longer able to reproduce and by the simple process of attrition, the population of the colony steadily declines over time. The alternative - Trap and Kill - is destined to fail because new cats will continually replace the vacuum left by the killed cats, thus perpetuating an endless and inhumane vicious cycle. Moreover, trap-neuter-return is far more humane than the trap-and-kill approach. Studies have shown over and over again that cats in a well-managed colony are as healthy as our own household cats. Likewise, the hallmarks of any well-managed colony, my own included, are continual monitoring by caretakers, who daily provide the cats with quality food and water and warm shelters against the elements. Anyone who is truly interested in the humane treatment of animals should clearly embrace the Trap-Neuter-Return approach and be thankful that Alley Cat Allies is around to advocate on behalf of these animals. Trap and kill advocates confuse a short-term reduction in population with a long-term solution that will always elude them. It is humans who create the feral cat problem, and it is up to us to humanely solve it. Take the time to learn about Trap-Neuter-Return and you will be convinced.

Redbud, you are wrong, Wrong, WRONG!
TNR has been PROVEN to be effective in so many cities and towns across the country.

The "Trap and Kill" in Petaluma is an instance that proves that this method Does NOT Work! There are MORE feral cats in the city than there were in 2004 when the city instituted the first ordnance. Since 2004 the number of cats killed in Petaluma is UP 41% over previouse years before that. This new ordnance does NOTHING to certail that legacy.
If you had listened to Connie Madden at the city council meeting, she told of the story of the feral cat colony that she has taken care of for a long time. The cats are healthy and the numbers have declined over time. Now, with this new ordnance, perhaps she is going to be a criminal. You can watch the city council meeting on the city's web site....archived city council meetings October 5th 2009