I didn't realize our town had a problem with stray cats until our local paper printed an article with this heading:

"Feral cat population experiencing an explosion"

It went on to say that things weren't quite as bad, yet, as they were in Randolph, Iowa, where they offered a $5 bounty for every cat that was brought in.  Instead, our town is using live cat traps and the local animal control officer is recommending that people not feed stray cats.  Also, they say that people who own cats should have them spayed or neutered.

Now, my question is... Do we own the cats that hang out in our backyard?

According to the article, it states that "animal ownership codes define an owner as someone who is responsible for an animal.  That includes anyone who encourages or allows stray animals to remain on their property.  In effect, feeding the stray cats makes you their legal owner".

Hmmm... let's see, now.  On a good day (or what our boys deem as a "good day"), they can count up to 10 cats roaming around in our neighborhood.  They want to feed them all so that they all keep coming back around.  But, I say, "No, just feed Blackie, Mama Tiger and Prancie", since they seem to have taken up permanent residence in our backyard.  So, officially (and legally?), I'd say that we own only 3 cats.

Now, our concern is getting the Mama cat fixed before she is able to have more kittens.  We really don't have the money to be doing this right now, but we realize that our time will be running out soon.  Do we really want to deal with another batch of kittens in a few months?  If we lived in the country, this would be fine.  But, in town, this does present a problem.  What to do?  What to do?

Our boys are aware that we are considering having the Mama cat (and Prancie, when she is older) fixed and they aren't too keen on the idea.  In fact, they think it is downright mean and cruel.  So, I wasn't too surprised to find this miniature picket line when I came inside the house the other day:

Oh well... I guess everyone's entitled to their own opinions.  J