Is feeding stray cats a bad idea? The "reasons why not" that cat lovers should know

If you're a cat lover, seeing a stray cat probably makes you want to feed it because they're so cute, doesn't it?

However, feeding stray cats isn't always beneficial for them. This article will explain why feeding stray cats can be problematic and how to coexist with them.

Reasons why feeding stray cats is problematic

Irresponsible feeding of stray cats can lead to various problems, including overpopulation, hygiene issues due to feces and urine, and impacts on other wildlife.

1. Overpopulation

Cats are highly prolific and give birth to many kittens at once. Feeding them improves their nutritional status, leading to a rapid increase in the number of stray cats.

Careless feeding can lead to an increase in the number of stray cats that are culled.

2. Hygiene Issues

Areas where stray cats gather due to feeding can cause hygiene problems, such as bad odors from feces and urine, and rotting food.

This often leads to disputes with local residents who want the feeding to stop, sometimes resulting in reports to the police as nuisance behavior.

3. Cat Health Issues

Inappropriate food and unsanitary environments increase the risk of health problems for stray cats. They are also exposed to dangers such as traffic accidents and animal abuse.

Is feeding stray cats illegal?

In Japan, feeding stray cats is not prohibited by law.

While some municipalities may have ordinances regulating it, these regulations generally do not outright ban feeding. Instead, they set conditions such as "doing it appropriately" and "not negatively affecting the living environment of local residents."

Osaka City's "Machi Neko Project"

In Osaka City, stray cats that are properly managed by volunteers are called "Machi Neko" (town cats), and activities to reduce the number of culled stray cats are subsidized.

Volunteers are obligated to clean up leftover food, install litter boxes, and ensure that cats undergo spaying/neutering surgeries. The project also actively supports gaining the understanding of local residents.

Reference:https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/kenko/page/0000020313.html

Suginami Ward, Tokyo's "Suginami Rule"

Suginami Ward has established the "Suginami Rule," which considers both environmental protection and animal welfare, and supports activities to prevent an increase in unfortunate cats.

Volunteer groups are issued registration cards and armbands, and educational activities are also conducted to gain the understanding of local residents.

Reference:https://www.city.suginami.tokyo.jp/guide/kenko/doubutsu/1026931.html

Kobe City's "Ordinance on Coexistence between People and Cats"

In Kobe City, the "Kobe City Ordinance on Coexistence between People and Cats" was enacted in April 2017, defining the responsibilities of cat owners, the roles of animal handlers, and policies to promote the control of stray cat breeding.

Kobe City leads stray cat breeding control programs and works with residents to address stray cat issues.

Reference:https://www.city.kobe.lg.jp/a84140/kenko/health/hygiene/animal/nekokyousei.html

"Community Cat Activities" you should know about

To address the stray cat problem, "Community Cat Activities" are being promoted in many regions of Japan. This involves the administration, volunteers, and local residents cooperating to manage stray cats appropriately.

What are Community Cat Activities?

The goal of community cat activities is to prevent breeding by trapping stray cats and performing spay/neuter surgeries, thus preventing the birth of cats that would otherwise be culled.

It's also known as TNR activities, which stands for Trap, Neuter, and Return to their original location, and is a central part of community cat activities.

"Community Cats" instead of "Stray Cats"

Cats that have undergone spay/neuter surgery are called "community cats" and are marked by a small V-shaped cut on their ear. Since it resembles the shape of a cherry blossom petal, they are sometimes called Sakura Cats.

Since they lose their reproductive capacity, no more kittens will be born. The loud meows, fights, and strong urine odors characteristic of the mating season will also disappear. To watch over their single generation of cat life, volunteers provide food and health care such as vaccinations.

Sometimes, cats are tamed by feeding, captured, spayed/neutered, and then adopted as rescue cats.

Challenges of Community Cat Activities

People feeding stray cats in towns and parks—the so-called "cat ladies," "cat gentlemen," or "feeders"—might actually be volunteers involved in community cat activities.

One problem is that it's difficult to get people to recognize that feeding stray cats is not a nuisance but an activity to prevent the birth of kittens and reduce culling. Since some people have an aversion to stray cats, educational activities are essential to seek understanding and cooperation for community cat activities.

In addition to food costs, there are also expenses for spay/neuter surgeries, vaccines, and the operation of rescue cat shelters. While some local governments provide subsidies, the reality is that these costs are often covered by donations and volunteers' personal funds.

There are rules for feeding too

In community cat activities, performing spay/neuter surgeries and properly managing the number of cats is considered crucial. Additionally, when feeding, it's necessary to do so responsibly, such as cleaning up feces and urine and tidying up dishes.

Always observe the following rules:

• Spay/neuter all cats
• Serve food in a dish
• Always clean up after they finish eating
• Feed at designated places and times
• Provide health care such as flea and tick prevention
• Ideally, find new owners for them

Summary

Feeding stray cats, even if motivated by love for cats, is not always the best for the cats or the community.

If you want to help stray cats, you can participate in community cat activities, volunteer to foster kittens, adopt a rescue cat, or make a donation.

Irresponsible feeding is prohibited. Please remember that.

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