euthanized cats

the 4 feral cats trapped on Jan 27/09 are now comfortably ensconced in my rescue workshop. Update . a 5th cat was trapped later the same day. It turns out that I was wrong when narrating the video, the 2 cats in a cage together are not both girls, one is a male.

Unfortunately. all cats tested positive for Feline Leukemia and had to be humanely euthanized. The intention was to TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) these cats, but they could not be released with a fatal virus that could be spread to other animals. Very sad...

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• cats
• kittens
• feline
• TNR
• rescue
• shelter
• adoption
• euthanasia
• FelineLeukemia

[katsonya]

to dispeaking1: retesting isn't always an option for our small rescue

1. we have nowhere to isolate them for long periods. Some vets say to get true results, numerous tests can be done over a 3 to 6 month period

2. ferals don't fare well in a cage or trap for long periods, in TNR we return the cat after a few days, or it starts to go shack wacky

3. money - I have to pay over $60 for a combo test, same cost as a neuter basically for another healthy cat. My donors prefer my choices

[feriwarlock]

I am one of those who believe, as does PETA, that TNR does not work and is not humane. Unless you can keep and attend to an isolated feral cat colony they should be put down. Neutering them and releasing them back into the environment does nothing to help the indigenous species, such as song birds, that they continue to predate on. Feral cats are an invasive species. Euthanizing is the most human course of action.

[katsonya]

@feriwarlock - then you are not going to be convinced by me, if you already haveyour narrow mind made up. I won't bother to quote numerous studies that disprove your theories. Humans kill more birds with our construction than any other predator. Please don't come to my page to spout your propaganda. I don't visit your site and state my opinions. Why am I wasting my time even now conversing with a fool?

[katsonya]

The reason for humane euthanasia is these are feral cats who I intended to TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) and nobody wanted to adopt them. I ONLY euthanize when the cat tests positive for Feline Leukemia or FIV, becuase it would be inhumane to release them with a fatal disease, to suffer slowly and die miserable deaths. The sick cats could also infect many other healthy cats with their fatal virus, so it is in the best interest of the community to humanly euthanize.

[StalwartSpirit]

Euthanasia is the most humane method. I agree.

[Chesirekitty20]

You know, there are far worse things than a humane death. Such as slowly dying of FeLV or FIV without any kind of treatment, starving to death etc. While we allow FIV positive cats in the shelter I work for we absolutely cannot have FeLV cats infecting the others, it's easily transmitted simply by grooming one another. While many of these cats may "live into old age" as you put it consider the quality of that life outdoors suffering. There are far worse things in this world than death.

[dispeaking1]

I've had two cats test positive for FeLV, and I didn't euthanize either of them. BOTH cats later tested negative. When I asked the vet about that, he said that they knew some cats tested positive when they weren't really infected, but they liked to play it safe and kill them all just in case. Always...always retest.

[Shelleybeaches]

@Fetcha200 Animals are literally "put to sleep," they are asleep when they pass away. I was there when my kitty was put to sleep (she was already dying of a massive heart attack). She actually seemed to be in less pain than before the injections.

[RememberApostrophes]

@StalwartSpirit True, sadly true

[zhaozefuhuo]

aw poor cats

[Fetcha200]

Do the cats feel anything when euthanized? Do they seem to struggle? Is it like anesthesia for a human except the human isn't killed?

[sweetvegan74]

But FIV positives should not be put down. FIV is not as easily transmittted. And can live long lives even ferals. Many ferals don't die in their sleep anyway. To kill to prevent suffering sometimes isn't the way to go.