Evacuation and feral cats

Free roaming feral and domestic cats are generally not removed when it comes time to evacuate for a storm. My doctor's mom had over 70 cats when southern Brazoria county was deluged with 26 inches of rain in just over 24 hours in 1979. When Doc went out to get his mom there were cats in the trees, on the roofs of the house and sheds. Many were killed by the floating piles of fire ants and others drowned. Doc went to feed them at his Mom's request. He put feed out in trees and on the roof of the buildings on the property. The water stood for days and days. This illustrates the reason why free roaming cats should be eradicated by humane methods to relieve the suffering cats endure when living outdoors. Many owners and colony operators have the attitude that after all it is "just a cat". This disappears when someone brings up ideas of restricting free roaming cats. Perhaps the cat ranchers and owners of unrestricted outdoor cats will eventually come around to the idea that our companion animals should be euthanized rather than suffer the vagaries of outdoor life....especially when another hurricane Katrina comes our way again. .