Entrapment

Question

I live in a mobile home park where we have a lot of strays. The people who live beside me are trapping them. One day, they had a cat in the trap for eight hours. I didn't know what to do. I wanted to release the cat, but I don't think it's legal to go onto someone else's property. Two weeks later, there was another cat in a trap. I just looked out, and they have set the trap again. I'm afraid they are going to trap someone's cat that is being taken care of but is allowed to roam. Even though all pets are supposed to be leashed, people still let them roam. Should I call the humane league? I love cats, and this breaks my heart.

Answer

People who suspect that animals are being mistreated should contact their local humane societies, SPCA (society for the prevention of cruelty to animals), animal control, police, and other entities in their area who are responsible for the enforcement of animal protection laws. TNR (trap/neuter/return) is a widely accepted practice to reduce the overpopulation of feral cats. However, it is unclear whether the people trapping the cats in your area are involved in TNR or what they are doing with the cats after the cats are trapped. Abandoning animals is against the law as is cruelty to animals (that could include leaving cats in traps for extended periods of time). Also, consider asking the management of the mobile home park about developing a relationship with local humane organizations to humanely care for the stray/feral cats in the park.