One Person Thinks the Magic Valley Needs to Stop Feeding Stray Cats

There are many animal lovers in Idaho. Most people seem to have a pet of some sort. A dog, a cat, and many people have farms and own larger animals like horses, cows, and pigs, and some even own more exotic animals like peacocks. There is plenty of wildlife around the state as well, with plenty to hunt or to enjoy watching in the wild. One problem in the Magic Valley, though, is that some people get animals that they don't want to take care of. The Magic Valley has a problem with stray cats and has for a while, yet people continue to feed them, but should they stop doing so? 

Feeding Stray Cats in Idaho

Many cats roam the streets, live in barns, and find places to make a home in the Magic Valley. Often, people become familiar with these cats, and while not claiming them as a pet, they help feed them, perhaps shelter them, yet the cat is still free to do as it pleases. In Twin Falls, residents are encouraged not to feed these animals as the population is continuing to grow, and there isn't enough room in shelters for them, and they are taking over certain areas. Despite this warning, many people continue to feed these animals. In certain circumstances, these animals are fed by multiple people and eat more than house cats. 

Should Twin Falls Stop Feeding Stray Cats?

Recently, a person took to a rants and raves page to complain about residents feeding stray cats in the Magic Valley. The complaint stemmed from the fact that when walking her dog, her pet would stop and eat food that hadn't been consumed yet, and she wanted people to stop putting the food out so her dog would stop eating it. While the argument is justified, an easier solution would be for the person to take a different path when walking their animal, or not to take it for a walk at all. People should not have to bend to make her life easier, because her dog has no self-control. It does bring up a point, though, that leaving food out for these cats does bring in other animals, and that can be concerning. It can attract wildlife and bring in animals you don't want near the area. 

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No matter how you feel about all the cats in towns, there will always be people who want to help these animals by feeding them to make sure they don't starve. A better way to help them would be to adopt them or to take them to a shelter so someone else can. By feeding them, the cycle continues.