What's the best method of dealing with the feral cat population?
Here is an interesting post on feral cats and birds from Cats and Cat Health which shows that killing off feral cats doesn't control the problem.
In my opinion, Trap/Neuter/Return is the only solution to the feral cat problem that makes sense. Here is additional information on the efforts being made in this area by Alley Cat Allies:
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR)
TNR is a comprehensive plan where entire feral colonies are humanely trapped, then evaluated, vaccinated, and neutered by veterinarians. Kittens and cats that are tame enough to be adopted are placed in good homes. Adult cats are returned to their familiar habitat to live out their lives under the watchful care of sympathetic neighborhood volunteers.
TNR works. Cat populations are gradually reduced. Nuisance behaviors associated with breeding, such as the yowling of females or the spraying of toms, are virtually eliminated. Disease and malnutrition are greatly reduced. The cats live healthy, safe, and peaceful lives in their territories.
About Alley Cat Allies
Alley Cat Allies is dedicated to changing ineffective animal control practices like trap and remove, and to providing resources for the thousands of caring individuals and organizations in the United States and Canada who have stepped forward to feed, sterilize, and care for feral cat colonies.
And we need your help. With your donation, Alley Cat Allies can continue the struggle to stop the killing and to end feline overpopulation. Trap-Neuter-Return, the humane, nonlethal method of population control, is more effective than trap and kill, and it is more reflective of a caring human community.
Here’s what we’re doing to save our feral friends
Alley Cat Allies (ACA) actively promotes Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) as the accepted method of feral cat population control throughout North America. Community groups, public policy makers, veterinarians, military personnel, wildlife biologists, humane organizations, and animal shelters turn to ACA for guidance and expertise in developing policies and programs to effect humane population control of feral cats.
Become an Alley Cat Ally, Friend, Sustainer, or Feral Filanthropist. You can help ACA continue the fight to protect feral and stray cats in North America. Your donation could save one or many cats’ lives. Please send your contribution today to start receiving the award-winning newsletter Alley Cat Action and regular action alerts that can make the biggest difference for a lot of cats.