Remarks on Stray Cats and Riverside Tuxedo Kitties

[floridaforester]

Wow and I thought Riverside had a feral cat issue.  Looks like Springfield wins this competition.

I understand that there is a local ordinance against feeding strays/feral animals and I think its important to report violations because nobody is helping these animals by simply feeding them and letting them continue to breed out of control.  It sure doesn't help the native bird population either.

I've got this nutcase neighbor that claims he "raises" cats and when I ask if he takes them to the vet for shots and spaying, he acts like that's not an issue.  He simply enjoys dumping some friskies on the ground so he can be entertained.  In the meantime these animals spray everyone's porches, kill every bird in sight, stir the dogs up at 3 AM and spread disease.  If you love the cats and want to keep them safe, keep them inside.

[floridaforester]

My dogs are inside, so I'm pretty sure its the cat owner's fault if they are roaming through neighbors' backyards all night.  If they are feral they should be dealt with the same that feral dogs are.  Not sure why there has always been a double standard that way.

Just another reason why San Marco isn't for me, if its overrun by cats even more than Riverside.

[Garden guy]

Most of the cat issues are due to over zealous cat people...they feed the homeless cats at that in itself is a big issue. If we feed these cats they won't feed themselves. If they learn to feed themselves on the mice and rats that are so prevelant in our urban areas. I've lived in riverside for most of my life and there has always been mice and rats and fat cats. STop the feeding. We'll have less pests and less cats. I'm all about catchem fixem and letem go...cats are some of the best preditors on our planet and can kill that rat in your garage.

[Dog Walker]

Two thoughts:

Are we developing a new breed in Riverside too?  Most of the ferals around here are Tuxedo Cats, the black ones with the white shirtfronts and white spats.

The growing feral cat population in the U.S. is having a definite harmful effect on the songbird population, especially on ground nesting species.  American Ornithological Association estimates that between 100 million and 300 million birds are killed each year by feral cats.

My beloved cats are spayed and neutered and kept inside and in the courtyard.  Our nineteen year old is probably not fast enough anymore to catch a bird anyway.

[wsansewjs]

Two thoughts:

Are we developing a new breed in Riverside too?  Most of the ferals around here are Tuxedo Cats, the black ones with the white shirtfronts and white spats.

The growing feral cat population in the U.S. is having a definite harmful effect on the songbird population, especially on ground nesting species.  American Ornithological Association estimates that between 100 million and 300 million birds are killed each year by feral cats.

My beloved cats are spayed and neutered and kept inside and in the courtyard.  Our nineteen year old is probably not fast enough anymore to catch a bird anyway.

Why do we have to worry about natural selection?

-Josh

[Dog Walker]

Sorry, no.  My own cats are not Tuxedo Cats, but many of the strays in the neighborhood are.

My old man is a "Florida" Coon Cat.  Looks and acts just like a Maine Coon Cat, but is five pounds, not twenty-five pounds.  We rescued our calico (female of course) during Hurricane Francis in another neighborhood.  We named her Francis after the storm, but call her Francine The Queen Of Mean when she gets in one of her moods.  She would be hell on birds!

I'll try to get pictures of the neighborhood Tuxedo's, but just have a point and shoot camera.

[Dog Walker]

Two thoughts:

Are we developing a new breed in Riverside too?  Most of the ferals around here are Tuxedo Cats, the black ones with the white shirtfronts and white spats.

The growing feral cat population in the U.S. is having a definite harmful effect on the songbird population, especially on ground nesting species.  American Ornithological Association estimates that between 100 million and 300 million birds are killed each year by feral cats.

My beloved cats are spayed and neutered and kept inside and in the courtyard.  Our nineteen year old is probably not fast enough anymore to catch a bird anyway.

Why do we have to worry about natural selection?

-Josh

As long as we are feeding feral cats, it's "unnatural" selection. 

Of course coyotes are moving into urban areas across the country and cat is one of their favorite meals.  Maybe things are balancing themselves after all.

They've been trapping coyotes in Central Park in NYC!

[riverside planner]

Two thoughts:

Are we developing a new breed in Riverside too?  Most of the ferals around here are Tuxedo Cats, the black ones with the white shirtfronts and white spats.

The growing feral cat population in the U.S. is having a definite harmful effect on the songbird population, especially on ground nesting species.  American Ornithological Association estimates that between 100 million and 300 million birds are killed each year by feral cats.

My beloved cats are spayed and neutered and kept inside and in the courtyard.  Our nineteen year old is probably not fast enough anymore to catch a bird anyway.

My male kitty is a tuxedo cat rescued off of Herschel Street.  I'll try to post a pic later today as he is quite a dashing example of the Riverside Tuxedo, even if he's not the smartest guy.  Both of our cats are kept indoors, since we are on a fairly busy street with more than our share of feral cats thanks in part to our neighbor who feeds the neighborhood cats (and raccoons and possums).  As much as I love the kitties and think that they add a certain amount of charm to our historic neighborhoods, I do agree that they can present problems.  Kudos to everyone who does "trap-spay-release" for their efforts to curb the feline population explosion.

[Dog Walker]

Just remember; wherever you go in Riverside and whenever you are there.....a cat is watching you!

[danem]

Two thoughts:

Are we developing a new breed in Riverside too?  Most of the ferals around here are Tuxedo Cats, the black ones with the white shirtfronts and white spats.

The growing feral cat population in the U.S. is having a definite harmful effect on the songbird population, especially on ground nesting species.  American Ornithological Association estimates that between 100 million and 300 million birds are killed each year by feral cats.

My beloved cats are spayed and neutered and kept inside and in the courtyard.  Our nineteen year old is probably not fast enough anymore to catch a bird anyway.

The fact that the feral cats are tuxedo cats must mean the area is getting more classy.  

[billy]

sometimes I think Jacksonville is the feral cat capital* of the world
Lakewood has an astounding number as well, whenever I visit I feel like I am interrupting an all cat production of "Waiting For Godot" ....


*perhaps that should be added to the Welcome to Jacksonville, Entering Duval County sign along I-10 eastbound along with the Logistics Capital sign....

[ChriswUfGator]

I hate cats and my two neighbors are old ladies who love feeding the stupid things, but have no intention of ever actually caring for them, taking them to a vet, etc. Where do I get a coyote?

[jaxlore]

we've done about 10 trap neuter releases. It gets harder because they get wise to the cage. But they are not reproducing anymore so thats a good thing.

[Atari007]

The fact that the feral cats are tuxedo cats must mean the area is getting more classy.  

+1

haha

[RiversideLoki]