San Diego Humane Society urged to stop releasing adoptable cats back onto streets

[Zorro]

A local attorney sent a cease and desist letter to the San Diego Humane Society demanding the organization stop abandoning adoptable cats.

In a letter to San Diego Humane Society President Gary Weitzman dated Dec. 8, attorney Bryan Pease says he represents the Animal Protection and Rescue League, Inc. and the Paw Protectors Rescue, two organizations that insist the Humane Society “immediately cease from releasing friendly, adoptable cats back to the street and that any and all plans to start releasing friendly, adoptable cats be canceled.”

The letter says that if Weitzman does not confirm by Dec. 22 that the organization has stopped the releases, legal action will be necessary.

In recent years, the San Diego Humane Society has taken over animal control responsibilities for the city of San Diego and several cities that were served by the county.

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/watchdog/story/2020-12-20/san-diego-humane-society-urged-to-stop-releasing-adoptable-cats-back-onto-streets

It's a tough decision, either euthanize friendly feral cats or spay/neuter/vaccinate and release them back on the street. I live in a semi-rural area and I occasionally see cats on the night cams roaming around our house, and they seem to manage ok being out and about in a predator environment (coyotes, bobcats, raccoons, foxes, etc.).

[Clash City Rocker]

1. Some people have contracted Covid from cats and dogs

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/expert-answers/can-pets-get-coronavirus/faq-20486391

I’m not sure if that’s a factor or not.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. No, they have not.

Some cats and dogs, as well as some zoo lions and tigers, have contracted covid from humans, but there is no evidence they have transmitted it back to people. They don't get very sick from it and apparently don't carry high viral loads that are likely to spread to people.

[Karadeniz]

5. I think you misunderstood animals contracting Covid with their passing it to humans.

[mercuryblues]

3. The humane society is on track with this plan

https://www.alleycat.org/our-work/trap-neuter-return/boardwalk-cats-project/meet-the-boardwalk-cats/

[Thekaspervote]

4. spayed neutered released cats still get sick, injured and become helpless. It's not a happy ending

Have had to catch several older kitties myself that are suffering terribly. No one to love them or care for them. I cry every time as the vet says they can’t save them.

In today’s world they are not well equipped to care for themselves.

SNR is not the humane thing ppl say it is.

[Karadeniz]

6. Thank you for your kind efforts to help them!

[haele]

7. "Friendly ferals" are typically house cats that have been dumped or indoor/outdoor pets.

San Diego has a large transient population, between military and tech companies, employees moving in and out on a regular basis.
That, plus the high cost of living, will put many people in the position where they must move; either out of state, or downsizing. If they can't take kitty with them, they'll just let kitty "escape" during the move or drop kitty off at the Humane Society claiming kitty is a friendly stray they picked up. Neighbors often end up taking in the cat that was left behind, but a lot of times, they can't.
This has been the nicer scenario; other kitties are just tossed out of the home when a relationship ends or a room-mate moves out and the homeowner doesn't want to deal with "someone else's damn cat" (dogs, birds, and other pets get the same treatment).
So that "friendly feral" is usually someone's abandoned pet.
Not really suited for outdoor living. It's not a good life for them.

Haele
(mommy to "friendly ferals" Princess and Goblin, plus rescuer of sisters Eris and Kali, who were otherwise destined to be indoor/outdoor breeding queens or coyote food like their other siblings due to an irresponsible neighbor)