Trap-Neuter-Release does not result in a statistically significant reduction in the number of feral cats as noted by the American Veterinary Medical Association and has not been proven to eliminate colonies through natural attrition.

Cats that evade capture are fed and better able to breed. However, cat removal does work when the food source is also removed.

Ms. Peterson mentioned that vaccination programs for dogs have been successful and we should expect the same for cats in TNR programs. However, what she neglected to mention is that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, canine rabies has been eliminated from the U.S. through a combination of licensing, vaccination and stray dog CONTROL -- not by managing free-roaming dog colonies.

The National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians has stated that there is no evidence that colony management programs will reduce diseases. Folks are not likely to come to the aid of a raccoon, but they may try to pet or handle a cat or ktten. Managed and unmanaged colonies are often mixtures of feral cats, stray cats, free-roaming house cats and raccoons and skunks and other rabies vector species that dine alongside the felines. TNR is not good public health policy.

Not only that, but cats are prolific hunters even when well-fed. Releasing them into the environment to wreak havoc upon native wildlife is just one more way humans degrade habitat.

There are many aspects to consider for municipalites. Find out more at: http://www.tnrrealitycheck.com/.

—Linda Cherkassky, Volunteer wildlife rehabilitator, cat rescuer, Voorhees, N.J.

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