WASHINGTON (Map, News) - The Washington Humane Society is launching an aggressive campaign to help control the city’s feral cat population.

The catch-and-release program, the Cat Neighborhood Partnership Program (or CATNiPP), will spay and neuter feral cats, many of which live in the District’s vacant lots or unkept alleys.

Feral cats are the offspring of stray or abandoned pets. They form colonies where food and shelter are available, but often reproduce to the limit of their food supply. Many end up being euthanized at animal shelters.

The Humane Society, who is doing the program in conjunction with Alley Cat Allies, said it is counting on residents to help identify the cats. They will be trapped, treated and tagged before they are brought back to their outdoor homes.

The program “will provide real and humane solutions for the cat overpopulation problem” in D.C., Executive Director Howard Nelson said.

Humane society officials are putting out traps citywide, based on residential responses. The program is being paid for by the Humane Society and through donations. The goal is to spay and neuter 210 cats during the next week, said spokeswoman Tara deNicholas. The program is ongoing, and there will other periodic drives.

“We’re kind of looking at it like these cats are their neighbors,” deNicholas said.

People looking to report feral cats can call the Humane Society at 202-723-5730 or Alley Cat Allies at 240-482-995.

A similar nonprofit program, Operation Catnip, began its work in Raleigh, N.C., in 1994. It has since expanded its operation to Gainesville, Fla., and Richmond.

By spaying or neutering a cat some nuisance-causing behaviors, such as fighting and yowling, can be reduced.

“This program will work with each neighborhood to improve the lives of all cats in the District and also will enhance the lives for those D.C. residents who live with and around cats,” Nelson said.

cmabeus@dcexaminer.com

Comments from Examiner Readers

2:16 PM MST on Sat., Feb. 23, 2008 re: "Bill could make euthanasia less painful for animals"

Examiner Reader said:
I work in an animal shelter and xylazine does NOT offer a humane way of putting animals to sleep. Many cats go into seizures and a co-worker was bit recently as he tried to euthanize a dog that was not completely put under. Ketamine is essential if the state of MD wants to give its animals a humane death. "The moral progress of a nation can be determined by the way in which it treats its animals." -Ghandi

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12:30 PM MST on Sat., Feb. 23, 2008 re: "Bill could make euthanasia less painful for animals"

Examiner Reader said:
I have apit bull and she is the BEST dog I have ever owned. The media loves to demonize this breed. The facts are Pit Bulls are one of the most stable people-friendly dogs in existence. The National Canine Temperament Testing Association tested 122 breeds, and Pit Bulls placed the 4th highest with a 95% passing rate! The abusive owners need to be punished not this wonderful breed

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11:35 AM MST on Tue., Dec. 18, 2007 re: "Pit bull attacks prompt officials to launch study"

Examiner Reader said:
I am the owner of a staffie and she is one of the most intelligent, loving dogs that I have ever had. She is great with kids and loves their attention. We recently had to find a new rental house and had a horrible time because of the breed of dog that we have. It is very sad that people are still so ignorant when it comes to this breed. I have an English Pointer that is a rescue dog that I worry about more with kids than my staffie. He was abused and can show signs of aggression when he feels threatened. As responible owners we keep both dogs on leashes at all times and the two dogs are not left alone together. Ban bad owners, not good dogs.

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12:09 PM MST on Wed., Nov. 28, 2007 re: "Anne Arundel has no plans to ban pit bulls"

Examiner Reader said:
The story above says, "Of the 798 bites reported in 2005, 75 were pit bull bites. The majority of the bites were from mixed breeds." Why not ban the other 723 breeds too? People have an inordinate fear of these dogs. Furthermore, pitbulls are a distinct breed and are sometimes incorrectly blamed for attacks by other breeds.

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9:28 PM MST on Wed., Nov. 21, 2007 re: "Pit bull attacks prompt officials to launch study"

Examiner Reader said:
I myself have a pitbull and a doberman. im only 20 and i bought both these dogs with no prior experience with either breed. it's just like anything else, owners should research about the breeds. Give them a good environment to be in. Treat them with respect and show them love and they will do the same for you. People only tend to hear about the bad side of these breeds due to BAD OWNERS! Yes i understand they can be aggresive towards other animals, but what dog doesn't want to show it's dominance? Whats all this talk about kids being killed? It's called parental supervision. Another example of bad owners and bad PARENTS. You only hear about what the dog did. What about the person? It's just ignorant to try and ban such a magnificant breed. I love my dogs cuz i know they have back. If i were ever to be in trouble they would be there for me. All in all an owner and the surrounding neighbors need COMMON SENSE!

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8:55 AM MST on Tue., Nov. 20, 2007 re: "Pit bull attacks prompt officials to launch study"

Examiner Reader said:
I have a pit bull breeder whom moved in beside me! The dogs have attacked my dogs serveral times through the fence. All neighbors are worried about these dogs. We all have small kids. We are all also very close to each other. But, because we are in the country (county) we cannot do anything!! I along with everyone else am tired of being imprisoned in my own neighborhood! I love dogs!! But these dogs should be kept out of neighborhoods such as ours. I don't care if there is one, but to breed them right next door isn't right! I have seen them pack with one another when they attack. One of these dogs got out and killed another neighbors dog and nothing was done. I have also seen the dogs bite their own owner and owners child. Animal control said that they had to be contained to their own yard. In which they are in a cow pen type of fence that they stick their heads through. I wish that there were something the other neighbors and I could do. We all feel stuck& we were all here first!

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6:11 PM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007 re: "Residents oppose District bill to ban pit bulls"

Examiner Reader said:
I'm so upset that everyone has to pay the price for the dog fighters, breeders of pits and bad owners.I'm really upset that these people of higher up can take our dogs, but can't stop dog fighting,ect.What is next!

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1:43 PM MST on Thu., Sep. 20, 2007 re: "Pit bull attacks prompt officials to launch study"

Examiner Reader said:
wow, your friend was kindof an idiot for leaving a pitbull alone with another dog. pitbulls don't usully get along w/ other dogs, thats like Pitbull 101, and if you chose to own a pitbull and didnt know that, than whatever happns is your own fault becuase your the owner and shuld know better. the dog is just doin what its been bred to do for hundreds of years. your friend has no one to blame but herself.

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1:37 PM MST on Thu., Sep. 20, 2007 re: "Pit bull attacks prompt officials to launch study"

Examiner Reader said:
That's a heck of an attitude for a Baltimore resident to have. Most reported violent crimes have some African-Americans involvement, so by your "logic" we should probably enact some sort of bill saying where they can and cannot live, and with significantly harsher penalties for them if they step out of line. I think we can all agree that sort of mindset is completely wrong - don't try to tell me it's okay just because it's directed at a dog breed instead of a person. Racial profiling is wrong across the board.

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3:54 PM MST on Sat., Sep. 8, 2007 re: "Residents oppose District bill to ban pit bulls"

Examiner Reader said:
this person is right, breed bans make no sense. In places where pits are banned, there hasnt been a signifigant drop in bite incidents. Its a fact,look it up. Banning one breed makes nomore sense than banning one type of gun. Its the people not handlng potentialy dangerous things properly that are to blame, not the potentialy dangerous things themselfs. Also, all dogs bite. I read a study by an impartial org. that tested dog breeds temperments and found that of soemthing like 50 most populer breeds, pitbulls are the 4th least likely to bite. golden retrevers were,like, 5th most likely, but no ones screaming about banning them and most ppl wouldn't worry about leaving their kids alone with a golden retrever.

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3:37 PM MST on Sat., Sep. 8, 2007 re: "Pit bull attacks prompt officials to launch study"

Examiner Reader said:
9:37 AM - I love dogs too, and I also own a nice dog. Guess what? He's a pit. Know why there're so many stories of pit attacks? Because people panic and report them more than they report any other breed. A lab bites you, well, he was just playing rough. A pit bites you, omg he was trying to murder you. Pits need good owners who are willing to take the time to understand the breed - they have a strong prey drive, meaning they're quick to go after things they perceive as 'prey' - like children or smaller dogs. Many breeds have this same trait, but they're not as plentiful as pits. The main problem is with the rampant, unregulated breeding. It's a cheap, tough dog, which is why it's so popular with bad owners. Look at the history of breed perception in this country. They used to want to outlaw Rotties, and before that Dobermans, and before that German Shepherds. Outlaw pits and bad owners will just find another breed to exploit. Breed bans solve NOTHING.

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9:37 AM MST on Sat., Sep. 8, 2007 re: "Pit bull attacks prompt officials to launch study"

Examiner Reader said:
I agree strongly with Councilman Gardenia and I hope the bill he proposes goes through. I am so tired of hearing about pit bull attacks on children and other harmless pets. I know first hand that individuals who claim that it is how the pit bull is raised determies how they behave is untrue. My friend was one of those individuals until she came home one day from work to find that her adult female ppit bull had mulled and killed her own puppy. How this tragedy of attacks by these dogs have been allowed to continue is a disgrace to our society. Babies killed by family pit bulls only to be defended by so called dog lover is horriffic. I love dogs and own a nice dog. But we must protect our children, pets and neighborhoods from vicious animals and irresponsible owners. I pray this bill passes. A Baltimore County resident.

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5:09 PM MST on Wed., Jun. 13, 2007 re: "Group seeks stiff sentence for dog's killing"

Examiner Reader said:
I would like to know if your canned prescription dog food has undergone the same testing that your other products have? I lost two dogs last week and the only common denominator that can be determined is your dog food.

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12:14 AM MST on Sat., May. 19, 2007 re: "Group seeks stiff sentence for dog's killing"

Examiner Reader said:
it is wrong to kill an animal dogs are good it is the people who are bad i seen a person run over a dog tonight 05/19/07 and they tried to do it and i just sat there in my car hurt because i knew the dog was hurt and dieing and i could not do anything to help the poor creature it was so sad i live in hammond louisiana i call call law enforcement and gave them the license plate number i hope they catch them it not right to kill dogs in any kind of way

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8:46 AM MST on Tue., May. 15, 2007 re: "Groomer charged in death of poodle"

Bill Dikant said:
I'll bet that this person will get more jail/prison time than a DRUNK DRIVER who kills someone!!!. E.O.M.

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6:32 AM MST on Tue., May. 15, 2007 re: "Pit bull attacks prompt officials to launch study"

The 'new' capitalism said:
To Sarah Ellis: What you 'think' has no bearing on scientific fact. Pitbulls become dangerous because they are the traditional breed used for illegal dog fighting. Their behaviors come solely from poor treatment, malnourishment, and abuse, not from their breed. I own a pit bull and she is more friendly, playful, and loving than any dog I have ever owned. Ignorant statement like yours, based in fear and not in fact, are detremental to the real probelm with dog attacks, animal cruelty....

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9:29 PM MST on Fri., May. 4, 2007 re: "Pit bull attacks prompt officials to launch study"

Sarah Ellis said:
I disagree with Vigilance and McIntire regarding the Pit bull breed. All one has to do is look at the statistics on dog attacks to see that the breed is very aggressive, even deadly. I think these dogs should not live in neighborhoods, but be contained in larger areas, such as farms. The attack that happened on Burke was in an area of row houses, where lots of children abide. Pit bulls should not live in these type of areas.

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7:45 AM MST on Fri., May. 4, 2007 re: "D.C. high on animal compassion"

Mary said:
Hopefully soon all the fur stores will close and Ringling Brother Circus won't come here anymore, and then we'll be at the top of the list!

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10:52 AM MST on Sat., Apr. 7, 2007 re: "Hills Science Diet takes recall hit"

Examiner Reader said:
"Prescription Diet" is available at pet stores but you can only buy it with a prescription from your vet. So if you're buying the regular Science Diet dry food that you can buy without a prescription, you should be OK. You might want to check tje FDA's Web site for the latest list of brand that have been affected, though, and maybe check with your vet too.

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8:48 AM MST on Sat., Apr. 7, 2007 re: "Hills Science Diet takes recall hit"

Examiner Reader said:
What does 'PRECRIPTION DIET ' mean ? What's the difference between plain "Hills Science Diet " dry cat food ?

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