To Those Who Feed Stray Cats

There is a lot of resentment from people who don't like to attract stray cats, who are upset at the odor of feral tomcat sprays, who don't like the moaning of strays in heat. All of those are valid concerns, but let's look at it from another angle.

I work with animals and have been a part of helping in many , many situations where dogs get away from their owners. When you see a stray dog, there are many possible reasons including:

- an electronic fence collar whose batteries went dead

- someone travelling to a dog show and a beloved show dog getting away from them

- someone moving across country and staying with relatives when one of their children opens the door and the dog gets loose

- a meter man opening a yard gate and neglecting to latch it back correctly

- a trucker's companion animal getting spooked at a rest stop

There are many, many reasons why dogs get away from their owners, owners who are desperately searching for them. Even when chipped and tagged properly, dogs can become scared or suspiscious enough that they will not allow someonen to catch them. In almost every lost dog case, the thing that has kept them alive until their owners can be reunited with them is the availability of cat food being left outside.

So before you judge someone in haste, or allow resentment to build in your heart because you may not like cats, just step back and consider how many lives have been saved by someone's good heart. Take time to see the goodness, the love these people have in their hearts, and how they are trying to make the world a better place. Perhaps then we can work together from a place of understanding and appreciation and find win-win solutions.

I used to be neutral on the matter, but while helping yet another lost dog try to find its way home, I have to say a huge thank you to those who feed cats :)