All cats should be admitted by shelters

The recent case of rabies in a stray cat in Dunkard Township, as reported in the June 23 edition, is a reminder about the dangers of free-roaming cats and abandoning cats to fend for themselves.The Centers for Disease Control estimates that there are approximately 300 cases involving human contact with rabid cats each year. That number is expected to rise with the increase of cruel and misguided "trap-neuter-release" programs. Feral cats' food stations attract wildlife (and more cats), which aids the spread of rabies from one animal to another and from cats to humans. Even if cats are vaccinated for rabies when they are trapped, it is often impossible to re-trap the cats for booster shots.Cats are not safe outdoors and this cat's death is just one more example why. To ensure the safety of cats and people, and to humanely and effectively address the homeless cat crisis, shelters must readily admit all cats ? without surrender fees, waiting lists, or other impediments ? and municipalities must require that all cats be spayed and neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and kept indoors.Teresa ChagrinNorfolk, Va.Chagrin is an Animal Care & Control Specialist for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).