I’m all for spaying and neutering every companion animal. But, I have to wonder, would everyone think this is such a good idea if it were dogs? Snakes? Pot-bellied pigs? Cats do more than overpopulate. They can and DO attack people. I met a woman at the animal ER who was a concert pianist. I say “was” because she lost three fingers on her right hand when she tried to use a broom to shoo a cat out of her garage. The cat was hurt, so she trapped it in a box with tuna and brought it in, even though she would lose three fingers that night when she sought medical attention for herself.
Cats destroy property, claw paint jobs on cars (I speak from experience), ruin lawns and urinate all over everything they can find. So, why would it be okay to release 5,000 of them back into the community? How is this humane? Who will feed them? How would the community react to 5,000 stray dogs being released after they were captured?
She also talks about responsible pet ownership after pointing out how dogs are treated differently by the humane community. Part of this reason is that feral cat colonies are seen as less of a threat to populations than feral dog packs.
Jodi goes on to explain how people, feeling the bite of this economy, who can no longer take care of their pets really need to set aside their own feelings on the subject and try to get their pets into better homes. Even though the shelter system has excessive overpopulation and giving a pet away may result in its euthanasia, this is a poor excuse for simply turning an animal out into the city (or countryside.) Doing so exacerbates the already devastating problem of feral animals.
Less feral animals on the streets being picked up by animal control and rescued ideally means many more palates and less dogs and cats alone and uncared for who potentially face dire fates in county shelters or at the mercy of starvation, disease, and myriad other problems domesticated animals shouldn’t have to suffer.
Link, via Salon.com
We are happy to report that three adult dogs and two puppies have been rescued in the last few days. There are still approximately 10-12 adult dogs and one puppy that need to be rescued among the dogs still out there. Jan also believes there are two more litter of puppies out there as well and it is just a matter of time before the moms bring them out to meet her.
Diana Czarnecki, with 2nd Chance Dog Rescue is coordinating the donations and fosters. Anyone interested in fostering can email Diana at 
Over 2 years ago a woman named Jan began her mission to rescue dogs that were living on the Fort McDowell Reservation. Most of these dogs were abandoned or dumped or just the result of overpopulation and no spay or neuter. They are not feral in the sense people think of feral. They are not wild or vicious. They are scared, lonely and just need to be taught about trust and love.
Animals traditionally have close places in our hearts, homes, and minds, and sometimes they become cultural icons.