[Lizzie07]

Two years ago, we took in a stray cat that I had taken pity on and started feeding, took to the vet, etc. She is a house cat now. Before I brought her in, a male cat, intact, started coming around. The male cat was coming around for food as the female had been spayed.

So, I put food out for him. A few months later, a female started coming around. One day I come home from work and there are other cats around. The female was in HEAT! S***, I was forced to make a decision about them at that point. The female was friendly enough that I was able to catch her and I trapped the male, who also had something wrong with one of his legs, and took both to the vet to have them immunized and sterilized. My intent was to let them continue to live outside and care for them. Unfortunately, they both had feline leukemia, lice, mites, fleas, ticks, and the male had a broken leg. I could NOT take them in, couldn't release them to infect other cats, nor could I spend the kind of money it would take to fix the male's leg. They were euthanized. I still feel deep anger and resentment that I had to be the one to make that decision.

All those other cats that had come around were likely infected as well if they hadn't been vaccinated for leukemia.

I don't agree at all with allowing cats to run loose. It is a total fallacy to believe they are any different than dogs in that respect. They are susceptible to fox, coyote, racoons, fights with other cats, disease, and parasites. Outdoor cats live significantly shorter lives than indoor cats. The cruelest thing is to throw indoor cats out to fend for themselves. I would ask the people you think might be the owner if they are indeed their cats, and explain that they are a problem for you, could they please keep them up? If they aren't their cats, then I would try to get them to a rescue, which, considering all the unwanted animals, esp cats, might take some time.

You really would be doing the cats a favor. Good luck.