Why Philadelphia can’t agree on how to deal with its 400,000 stray cats

A feral cat colony on the Delaware River waterfront has city agencies, environmentalists, and cat-lovers pitted against each other.

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A feral cat suns itself in a cat colony that is watched over by the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation.

A feral cat suns itself in a cat colony that is watched over by the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

There are 400,000 stray cats roaming the streets of Philadelphia. The city tries to handle the problem through a program called Trap, Neuter, Release or TNR. But WHYY reporter Peter Crimmins says a feral cat colony on the Delaware River waterfront has city agencies, environmentalists, and cat-lovers pitted against each other, debating whether or not TNR is best — and whether or not cat welfare should be of concern. Why can’t Philly find a way to deal with these cats? Peter explains on this episode of The Why.

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