Survey shows gap between public opinion and animal shelter policies

Washington - 10/16/07 - Almost three-fourths of Americans believe leaving a stray cat outside to live out its life is more humane that having that cat caught and killed by animal control, reports a survey by a feline-welfare, non-profit organization.

Alley Cat Allies , a national group focused on issues impacting stray and feral cats, released the survey results to coincide with National Feral Cat Day , observed Oct. 16 as part of a national movement seeking to end the euthanasia of shelter cats.

According to the survey, 81 percent of nationwide respondents said it is more humane to let a stray cat live out its life than to kill it now. When asked to consider the most humane outcome if they were to assume stray cats would be hit and killed by a car in two years, 72 percent said it is still more humane to let the cat live out its life naturally.

The survey also reported that more than two in five Americans have put out food or water for a stray cat, with more than one in five having done so in the past year.

"Many people do not understand that contacting animal control agencies to remove outdoor cats means literally handing these animal an immediate death sentence," says Becky Robinson, Alley Cat Allies president.

National Feral Cat Day was inaugurated in 2001 to educate the public about stray and feral cats. Throughout the month, Alley Cat Allies will be holding special events and workshops for humane societies and government agencies, while encouraging residents to question their local animal control policies.