Lynn is wonderful resource for all animal protection issues. She's helped and mentored me for over two years (LDDA, a Limoges Association, if anyone wants to get involved). And one of the many things I admire her for is her good-sense, positive, well informed outlook.
Dominique, if you look at past posts here you'll see some pretty horriic stories involving Mayors offices and their responses to unsterilized colonies. There is also the sad truth about networks who troll the Boncoin and Vivastreet for free animals to sell to laboratories or as bait to train fighting dogs.
So "fear" is sadly part of the animal scene around the world, but we're all on the same side here. Do you have a list of associations near you to maybe get some help? Lynn has a great list, in fact, Lynn, could you post it again for me?
Taking responsibility for a feral colony is an amazing, generous act, and I admire you greatly. Let the forum give you support, because it can also be a nerve wracking one (I have cracked up a few times).
My reply was niether over the top nor inaccurate but factual.
The mairies have the ultimate responsibility for stray cats and dogs, which is why they need the protection of an identification. Many mairies have humane sterilisation programmes in place and work well with individuals and associations.
Here are more details concerning the code rurals that apply
I did not think you were impolite, it was myself I was trying to keep within the bounds of politeness confronted with just slightly over the top and perhaps inaccurate information.
Can you point me in the direction of the decree that states that one cannot shoot cats it happens all the time, presumably it is always an accident, and how come then that Maires can see fit to shoot cats?????? as you mention in your previous post.
Shooting them is also illegal, and to be fair I am just pointing out French Law, having been managing a Cat Rescue Centre here in France for the last 10 years, we are obliged to know the law and always act the best interests of cats.
I do not see anything impolite in my response, in fact quite the opposite trying to help and give correct and up to date advice.
Now, Lynn, This is a group where we are polite dinner guests, so I am not going to answer back what I think of your diatribe worthy of fear and loathing.
" points:
A/ there is no legal obligation to chip a cat.
B/These cats are NOT mine, they are feral, just luckier than most
Than you for your help.
Let us close the subject before I decide to shoot the cats.
We have humane, cat specific traps and for ferals, this is the best and recommended way to catch a cat, if she bites or scratches you it have extremely serious consequences for you. The SPA may have a trap you could borrow.
The question of identification - since january 2012, it is a legal obligation here in France that ALL cats are identified. It will save their lives in the future.
There are also moral obligations for the protection of the cat
As a gesture of respect and responsibility you should give your cat an identity
Normally, a cat lives within its territory, but this could include a wide area that overlaps and mixes with other cat populations. Cats, seen roaming freely can be the object of organised capture programmes, for neutering and, sometimes, euthanasia. If the cat is lucky, this euthanasia will be carried out by a qualified vet, if not the cat will most likely be shot or killed in any other manner the Maire of the village concerned sees fit, some cases they are just battered to death!
It is possible that your cat can also be wrongly picked up and presumed lost or abandoned and then rehomed by a ‘well-meaning’ third party without your knowledge!
Identification allows for owners of ‘stray’ cats to be found.
Identification is invaluable for medical purposes. Identified cats will most likely follow regular health checks.
If you feed a cat you need the responsibility of having it neutered, a well fed cat will produce more kittens, and kitten season will soon be with us!
I think if you tell the vet that they are feral and you are doing your bit I don't think he will have any objections to doing the surgery. There is several campaigns for sterilising feral cats around France and you are just doing your bit. Well done for looking after them.
I wasn't suggesting take them there Dominique, simply to ask advice about the neutering. I agree with Valerie re the female and also re her suggestion that you paste the question into Cat Chat - there are ways and ways of catching uncatchable cats!
thank you very much for the answers. I am a reassured.
I did put a picture of the cat house (no pun, I meant a house for cat!) but I think one has to click on it.
The girl is not 'catchable' I have great doubts about the SPA, my memory of it was that they executed cats as soon as they arrived, at least in Paris in 1960s....I kept a very bad memory of the society.
Hi Dominique, I'm just doing this quickly as I'm in the middle of something else. The main Cat Chat group is here http://www.survivefrance.com/group/catchat?xg_source=activity but off the top of my head (1) love the idea of a cat house and (2) if you do manage to catch them I'd aim more at getting the female neutered as she is the one who will be bearing kittens and then the problem will increase. I would suggest if Lynn doesn't see this post that you perhaps paste your question into Cat Chat - Lynn runs Chats de Quercy and is beyond knowledgeable about anything and everything to do with cats. She'll be able to give you excellent advice.
We very belatedly had our cat neuteured and the vet asked if we wanted him chipped at the same time. For various reasons, I said no - my main objection is that I don't see the need for a chip in him, it just doesn't seem right. (For reference he has a name tag and number and my other cat is tattooed)
Anyway, the vet told me it is not an obligation for it to be done but it is an obligation for her to ask! End of story, cat happily neutered and completely changed pussy cat - still crapping everywhere but no longer spraying and peeing! Strangely he also seems to have lost his voice.
Who has told you that if you take him to the vet he must be chipped and seen as yours? I don't know whether this is true, but have you asked the vet?
I am sure that a decent vet would be glad if you were willing to pay for a feral cat to be neutered. I would also though strongly suggest that (if funds permit) you have the female spayed too - thus preventing more unwanted kits.
It may be an idea to contact your local SPA or similar for more information?