Barn Cats - Not contributing to overpopulation?

[.unknown.]

I am in a somewhat heated argument with someone I respect, but seems to be a little outdated in his beliefs. I need some ammo with respect to the argument that unaltered barn cats that produce litters are still contributing to the overpopulation of cats and that it is not an "urban problem" as he claims.

Help!

He is giving away yet another litter of kittens for free and the argument was brought about by my suggestion that he not give them for free, but charge at lats twenty dollars to ward off irresponsible people.

[14+kitties]

Every single unaltered cat is contributing toward overpopulation. It does not matter if it is a "barn cat" or a "city cat" that is allowed out. If it is unfixed it is going to be mating - constantly. With global warming it can be three times a year now.
Does he think the barn cat stays in the barn? I don't think so! They are unaltered so they wander looking for sex. A male cat can wander many many miles away from their original starting point. Along the way it mates with any and all unaltered females it can. Eventually it is going to come to a city. There's no sign at the city limits saying NO BARN CATS ALLOWED. So barn cat is no longer barn cat. He is now city cat. Still unaltered. Still doing his thang. Still contributing to the overpopulation. That is if he is lucky enough to avoid the pitfalls along the way. Coyotes, cars, bad weather, nasty people, etc. An unaltered female cat will also go a long way if there are no intact males in her area.
Even if the barn cat only goes to the next field to meet a mate that mate then has a litter of kittens. So this litter, when old enough, goes to the field further away 'cause coyotes have thinned out their choices of mates. The next litter goes further still. Those coyotes love their free meals! So the story goes......... on and on. The city comes up eventually and Oh no! City cat!!
A single, unaltered female cat can be responsible for up to 20,000 descendants, within five years. Some of them have to make it to the city!
Are these "barn cats" he is giving away? Are they going to the city or does he bother to check to see if the homes he is giving them to are "good" or not? If they are going to the city and with people who aren't paying for them chances are they will be joining the ranks of the "unaltered city cats" which goes full circle - back to him giving away kittens. Not that charging is going to guarantee the people will get their kitten fixed. The perfect solution would be if he got his cat fixed.
Does he know, not that he would care, that every litter his females produce brings them closer to dying of very painful mammary cancers or pyometra?
Sorry for the ramble/rant. This is exactly the issue that ticks me off the most. So many people want that cute, cuddly little kitten and can't be bothered to do the responsible thing and get them fixed!

[Shaykeija]

Yup hard to believe that these dummies were the fasted sperm....any un neutered animal is just adding to the pet explosion. I have a BIL that thinks the same way. Family gatherings usually end by me calling him stupid and old fashioned.

[14+kitties]

Originally Posted by Shaykeija

Yup hard to believe that these dummies were the fasted sperm....any un neutered animal is just adding to the pet explosion. I have a BIL that thinks the same way. Family gatherings usually end by me calling him stupid and old fashioned.

Ummm, are we talking the dummies being the humans or the cats? It is amazing how well people can turn a blind eye to the problems around them.

[Frenchy]

Originally Posted by .unknown.

He is giving away yet another litter of kittens for free and the argument was brought about by my suggestion that he not give them for free, but charge at lats twenty dollars to ward off irresponsible people.

Tell him while he gives away a litter (let's say of 5 kittens) 5 other cats die in shelters .... just because of people like him. Who lets their cats reproduce. Shelters are full of them , and have to put them down to make room for other cats coming in .... day in and day out.

It's hard to change someone's old mentality ... they would need to spend a week working in shelters and rescues to understand.

[.unknown.]

I've been told to mind my own business.

[shirley1011]

well I guess it is your business tho...saving kitties is everyone's business....don't give up....everytime you can just keep giving them the message...can't hurt!

[BenMax]

He knows that it is contributing but as so many others, it is so much easier to put your head in the sand and make up an excuse. Truth is people do not want to TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. That is the underlying problem.

Frenchy is so right. For every animal bought at a petshop or breeder or given away - per ratio, animals are dying. 'Lucky' animals are euthanized by humane methods while others are electicuted, gassed, shot, thrown out to starve...the list very very sadly goes on.

The man is a putz. Plain and simple. He is no better than a byb or those that neglect their obligations.

Good luck with the education, but something tells me it will go on deaf ears. Hear no evil, see no evil but you can certainly keep speaking of the evils. Best to you.

[.unknown.]

It is just frustrating to have your advice shut down because you are being perceived as a bleeding heart. After all is said and done, I think the right things will happen... I hope.