Hey, everyone. I wanted to echo what Joanne said in her post about her cat, Spice, who was clearly trapped and put through a Trap, Spay/Neuter, Release program, even though she was already spayed and was not a stray. As one of the people in the area who routinely traps strays, I am also appalled by what happened to Spice. My goal is to lessen trauma to animals (and their humans). That someone took an animal to a shelter or vet and it was clearly mistreated and mutilated is shocking and abhorrent. Therefore, speaking as a person who humanely traps, I wanted to let you know what the process SHOULD look like. The person doing the trapping should be doing so within their own close neighborhood area (within a few blocks), where they are able to know which animals "belong" and which don't. If someone is trapping outside their own neighborhood, then they should be doing so either:At the request of the animal's owner (I have helped quite a few folks on the list-serv to catch their missing cats);At the request of someone in the area who knows an animal to be stray or lost (late last week I trapped a kitten whose family had moved 2 months ago);In the area of a known feral colony;At the request & direction of a program such as the Feral Cat Fund. A few things that should NEVER happen:A trap being set and left with no one in the area. Though these are humane traps, any animal that sets them off is going to be very frightened and will likely panic. Animals can be easily hurt in this way. Also, someone walking by could see the animal and either release it or cause it further harm (purposefully or accidentally). Those of us who do this properly stay within earshot, or within sight of the trap.A trap being set on your property without your permission. I've done this for many years now, and have had the pleasure of:Returning loved pets to their humans;Fostering literally dozens of cats & kittens, some trapped and some just happened upon...;Finding homes for kittens and cats that were previously homeless;Watching my own cats fall so in love with some of the strays that they are now members of our family. I have also had the sorrow of having to make choices about feral cats that could not be adopted, and were positive for feline AIDS. I have accidentally trapped other animals, including a raccoon, and one of the neighborhood cats who seems to have no short-term memory (I've trapped him three times now...). The point is: when I am trapping, I know who I'm trapping for. If I get a cat that doesn't match that description (as with the tomcat who had feline AIDS, and my neighborhood non-Houdini), I make a judgment call. Clearly, the one guy was owned. He was well-groomed, had a collar and was pretty sweet once I let him out. His tag placed him just a block or so from where I was, so I released him. Had his home been further away, I would have called the owner and held him. If I trap a cat that has no collar, or no ID on its collar, I take it to the Animal Rescue League. An owned cat, whether chipped or not, is more likely to be reunited with its family if I do that than if I just release it without knowing whether it's two blocks or two miles from its home. And, for a cat without a home, the ARL is truly a life-saver (as are the Humane Society and Animal Friends). EVERY time I have taken a cat to the ARL over the years, they have checked for a microchip. When I have taken an animal I am socializing & fostering to be spayed/neutered, I have utilized the Spay & Neuter Clinic on Frankstown Road. I am asked in both locations if I am the owner, if it is a stray, where I found it, if I know its age, etc. When I say, "I trapped it," they check it for a chip. So, if you see someone trapping in your area, don't be afraid to politely ask them about why they're there and who invited them. If you don't know them, and they haven't been asked to be there by a neighbor, and your area doesn't have a bad stray problem, question them further (maybe their own cat has gone missing and someone in your area had a sighting). I've met many wonderful people who go out of their way to make the lives of animals (and humans!) better by helping to find & return lost pets, utilizing the TNR program, and taking in strays to foster. But, like with anything else in life, there are always going to be people who mean well but cause harm. And, if you happen to lose your pet, or see a stray running around, or find a litter of kittens, feel free to contact me. Thanks, Highland Park. Rachel Kudrick