27/07/2025
It’s okay if someone doesn’t understand or support what you’re doing—just as long as they aren’t harming the cats. When you find yourself in a conversation with someone who’s upset or questioning your efforts, try to remain calm and open. Never raise your voice or argue. Instead, listen. Let them express their concerns. Then, gently let them know: You’re not the one responsible for the cats being there. You’ve simply chosen to step in and help.
Explain that you’ve voluntarily taken on the responsibility to have the cats humanely trapped, neutered, and vaccinated. And yes, they must return to the only home they know. This process prevents future litters, reduces disease, and even helps control other pests—like mice.
You can mention the health risks mice pose to humans. Mice can carry Hantavirus, a deadly illness spread through airborne particles from their droppings. It starts with flu-like symptoms, but if left untreated, it can be fatal. Mice also chew vehicle and home wiring, leading to expensive repairs. These are facts, easily verified online.
It may help to gently correct a common misconception: it’s often house cats, not ferals, that are responsible for bird deaths, but not as many deaths that are caused by humans. Hunting is a game for them. Ferals, on the other hand, conserve energy and typically hunt ground-dwelling creatures—like mice, lizards, etc. —because they’re easier prey.
You can also explain the Vacuum Effect: removing cats from an area doesn’t solve the issue. It only makes room for new, unsterilized cats to move in. The cats you’re helping aren’t reproducing or spreading disease—they’re part of the solution, not the problem.
Take time to educate yourself on local ordinances and the cost of relying on Animal Control. Each call involves wages, gas, insurance, time spent caring for the animal, cleaning, feeding, and often euthanasia and its disposal. That’s not only emotionally heavy, but also financially draining on communities.
And yes—these conversations can be incredibly frustrating. You might feel anger bubble up, your face may flush, you may want to scream. But for the sake of the cats, you must stay calm. Because when you’re not there, that person could take their frustration out on the cats—not because of who they are, but because of their anger toward you.
Hopefully, this gives you some helpful tools to approach these discussions. And remember: stay calm. Let the other person speak, even if all you’re thinking about is what to put on your pizza for dinner. Most of the time, it’s just words. You know in your heart you’re doing everything you can to make a difference, and that matters more than anything.
