Feral Cats

Florida Law

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) ignored the requests from Alley Cat Allies and other humane organizations to postpone the decision until an unbiased scientific study could be conducted. In spite of a phone message from FWC regional director, Dennis David, that raised questions about the Commission's bias, the FWC went forward with a hearing to ban trap/neuter/return in Florida on Friday, May 30.

A few days before the public hearing, David was caught on tape laughing and joking about killing cats with agency biologist Dwayne Carboneau.

The day of the hearing nearly 200 people turned out to support trap/neuter/return for feral cats. Veterinarian Dr. Julie Levy of the University of Florida read a statement refuting the FWC's rationale for their opposition to TNR. More than 70 other people made statements (limited to one minute), on behalf of the cats. But the FWC commissioners voted unanimously to approve a slightly modified version of their deadly initial policy.

Dr. Levy remarked: "I would view the conciliatory statements in the press release with a jaundiced eye. A year from now, it won't matter how the policy was described to the press. The only record that will exist is the policy itself, and nowhere does the policy mention alternatives to removal [of cats]."

The news release specifically states that the policy will "prohibit the release, feeding or protection of cats on lands managed by the FWC ... and to oppose creation and support elimination of TNR colonies and similar managed cat colonies wherever they potentially and significantly impact local wildlife populations."

Dr. Levy points out; "The FWC has jurisdiction over the entire state, not just public lands. Thus when the policy says, 'prohibit the release, feeding or protection of cats on lands managed by the FWC.' they are talking about my suburban backyard private property, not just parks and wildlife areas.

The FWC did remove the most abhorrent part of the policy, which was to oppose TNR in all forms everywhere in the state."

Alley Cat Allies, Best Friends, and many humane organizations in Florida are cooperating in an effort to overturn the Commission's decision.

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