Rescuers were barred from feeding or attempting to rescue the cats and were threatened with arrest by federal wildlife officials from USDA. In addition, a Port Authority spokesman admitted to the NY Post his agency had lied when telling the public last Friday the cats would all be adopted into good homes. The NY Post confirmed the cats would be put down immediately instead.

Experienced feral cat workers have also refuted the Port Authority's claim the cats pose a risk to aviation because their food supposedly attracts seagulls. "That's another lie and a fright tactic designed to fool the public. JFK Airport is located near the ocean and has mountains of trash strewn all over the grounds. That's why there are seagulls, not because of an insignificant amount of cat food," said Bryan Kortis, Executive Director of Neighborhood Cats.

Experts point out that cats are usually blamed for killing birds, not attracting them, that feeding cats can be done in a manner that leaves no food for birds, and that there is no study or other report suggesting a link between the presence of cats at an airport and an aviation risk.

In addition, the admitted desire of JFK wildlife biologist Laura Francoeur to create a "cat-free" airport is doomed to failure. Similar attempts at countless other locations have repeatedly failed to overcome the constant appearance of new cats and their reproductive ability. Only through sterilization and long-term monitoring by caretakers (Trap-Neuter-Return or "TNR") can the cats' numbers be reduced.

To read more and find out what you can do, click here, Neighborhood Cats.