Rhode Island Veterinarian Says Euthanasia Best for Feral Cats

The chief veterinarian of Rhode Island is frustrated with the efforts of animal welfare groups to humanely reduce the number of feral cats in the state. He thinks euthanasia is the best answer.

Scott Marshall DVM has been the state veterinarian in Rhode Island for three years. His views on feral cats are so outrageous that a story in The Providence Journal sounds like something you would read in a science fiction novel rather than a newspaper.

Dr. Marshall believes feral cats are a high risk to the health of people and other animals because they have the possibility of spreading diseases such as: parasites, feline HIV and rabies. He would like to see Animal-Control Officers roundup “roaming and feral cats” and deliver them to animal shelters where they would be put to death.

The newspaper says Marshall even goes a step farther with his demands. He wants the cats taken to “private animal shelters – as opposed to municipal pounds” because “the state should be spared any responsibility for impounding and euthanizing feral cats.”

Dr. Marshall says, “I’m not a cat hater. I’m a vet. I’m a cat lover. I just don’t see another solution to it. The solutions we have tried are ineffective.”

He said, “I know some groups think we are targeting cats, but we are trying to get them on par with roaming dogs.” Dr. Marshall estimates there are more than 250,000 stray and feral cats in the state.

“These cats are often left to suffer from starvation, malnutrition and exposure to the elements,” said Marshall. “They just don’t live a very good life.”

Dennis Tabella, director of Defenders of Animals, calls the idea “inhumane and outrageous” and says that “no cat, domestic or feral, that spends time outdoors, will be safe.”

Another rescue group said it would cost more than $1 million to trap and spay/ neuter all of the felines.

Dr. Marshall was so adamant about his solution he drafted a bill for the state legislature. Senator John J. Tassoni Jr. introduced it. However, the senator withdrew the bill after he heard complaints from the public.

At this point, Dr. Marshall is willing to form a committee to evaluate which measures are working to reduce the number of feral cats and which are not.

“I’m open to trying other methods…I’m hopeful that something like that comes out of it. But, I’m not very optimistic. If this is the only means we have left, it’s a regrettable move, but it’s something we have to take.”

Tabella is confused why the chief veterinarian is making these demands at this time. “Why all of a sudden are cats such a big problem? Is there a rabies epidemic we don’t know about? There are a lot of individuals and groups making positive inroads in keeping these cat populations down. It’s not perfect. It’s going to take a while, but there is progress being made,” he said.

For now Dr. Marshall is staying mum about his motives.

Creative commons rsgranne

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Gabriella K.

2:03PM PST on Dec 21, 2010

"Live and let live."

send a green star

Robert H.

4:46PM PST on Dec 19, 2010

The Poll is, as is often the case, so stupidly phrased as to be unanswerable. Dr Marshall is right. He did not ‘stay mum’ about his motives. The bias with which Sharon Seltzer wrote this article is written is really shocking. “His views on feral cats are so outrageous…”, “something you would read in a science fiction novel rather than a newspaper”. “animal shelters where they would be put to death”. All sensationalist, reactive, pseudo moralistic clap trap. Look at the issue not the highly biased guano being used to address this problem.

lynn c.

1:40PM PST on Dec 19, 2010

I live in RI & belong to PasWatch a group of voluteers who do tnr/monitor cat colonies. This man is NUTS, he only makes one good point that feral & abandond cat have a tough life unless they are in a managed colony. By law all cats 6 mos. & older must be spayed/neuterd in the state of RI.

SANDRA G.

4:16PM PST on Dec 18, 2010

I THINK DR. MARSHALL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS RI VETERNARIAN, T/N/R WORKS AND WILL EVENTUALLY STOP THE PROBLEM, THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO GO OUT EVERY DAY TO CARE FOR FERAL CATS, THEY DONT REPRODUCE ..SOME PEOPLE WOULD THINK YOU ALL GET A KICK IUT OF THIS

Penny L.

3:08AM PST on Dec 18, 2010

This guy is a lunatic, he should be examined for a mental illness disorder, Dr. Kevorkian disorder! He is a cat hater, and should not be a vet, take this buttheads license away!

Laura T.

3:14PM PST on Dec 17, 2010

Dr. Marshall (is he actually a vet because he doesn't act like one) should be removed from his position. He isn't keeping up with studies that prove there are better ways to control feral cat populations, which by the way help control rodent populations, something that is good for all as rats and mice don't restrict themselves to lower income bracket neighborhoods.

Little S.

2:09PM PST on Dec 17, 2010

Johnathan...Dr Kevorkian helped those who WANTED to leave this earth. These animals are not being given that consideration.
Everyone thinks THEY KNOW what the answer is to EVERYTHING..How sad when they find they actually know NOTHING.
TRAP, TEST, Spay & Neuter, Inoculate, NOTCH, Release or Relocate...FEED...THAT is the ANSWER....
or 42, because that is the universal answer...
Sorry, I relieve anger with comedy

Alice D.

9:22AM PDT on Aug 14, 2010

There are a lot of starving people who carry diseases, too. Is Dr. Marshall's plan to put them down too? WTH, the trap, spay/neuter plan is best, but vets are too crazy about their ever loving buck than to show a little compassion to ferel cats by offering discounts for people who are willing to bring these animals in to be treated.

Cindy C.

12:20PM PDT on May 15, 2010

NEVER AT ALL AND WE SHOULD NOT EVEN CONSIDER IT AT ALL, NO ONE SHOULD.

Jonathan Y.

3:34PM PDT on May 12, 2010

He should be called the "Dr. K for cats". aka Kitty Kevorkian.

It's really the fault of cat-hoarders who let their babies breed. My best friend from HS is one; I'm always after him about it but he never takes control. I even offered to take them all and get them spayed, no charge. He wouldn't go for it.

Cat-hoarders are an odd lot...not necessarily little old ladies, or lonely/neurotic people...just people who are really irresponsible about controlling their pets.