Despite wild, predatory behavior, feral cats have their supporters at county hearing

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Feral cats. File photo. (AP Photo/The Daily Times, Doug Larson)

This undated phomade available by Alley CAllies shows cwith 'tipped' ear indicating it has been spayed or neutered. File Photo.

This undated photo made available by Alley Cat Allies shows a cat with a "tipped" ear, indicating it has been spayed or neutered. File Photo. (AP Photo/Alley Cat Allies)

A feral cawaits trip veterinarian for spaying neutering. Feral Fixers has been responsible for 'fixing' more than 4500 stray cats

A feral cat awaits a trip to a veterinarian for spaying and neutering. Feral Fixers has been responsible for "fixing" more than 4500 stray cats in an effort to control feral cat populations. | Mary Beth Nolan~For Sun-Times Media

A feral cat | AP

Feral Fixer co-founder Tammy McAuley prepares cats for trip veterinarian for spaying neutering. Feral Fixers has been responsible for 'fixing'

Feral Fixer co-founder Tammy McAuley prepares cats for a trip to a veterinarian for spaying and neutering. Feral Fixers has been responsible for "fixing" more than 4500 stray cats over the past five years. | Mary Beth Nolan~For Sun-Times Media

Two dozen feral cats thcome home Mary Kaye Larsen-Olloway North Chicago founder FCRescue Inc. during mealtime. | Sun-Times Media~File Photo

Two of the dozen feral cats that come to the home of Mary Kaye Larsen-Olloway of North Chicago, founder of Fat Cat Rescue Inc., during mealtime. | Sun-Times Media~File Photo

Bo five-month-old feral csnuggles cage Tuesday AndersAnimal Shelter South Elgin. Bo is female feline thshelter is keeping for now will

Bo, a five-month-old feral cat, snuggles in a cage Tuesday at Anderson Animal Shelter in South Elgin. Bo, is female feline that the shelter is keeping for now, and will eventually go to a home that welcomes feral cats. February 19, 2013 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

Volunteer Judy Walker says hello 'friendly' chis way veterinarian for spaying neutering. Feral Fixers has been responsible for 'fixing' more

Volunteer Judy Walker says hello to a "friendly" cat on his way to a veterinarian for spaying and neutering. Feral Fixers has been responsible for "fixing" more than 4500 stray cats in an effort to control feral cat populations. | Mary Beth Nolan~For Sun-Times Media

Feral cats

Birds often snatch the dry cat food which Mary Kaye Larsen-Olloway of North Chicago, founder of Fat Cat Rescue, Inc., leaves for feral cats in her yard. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media

It’s the eternal battle between cats and birds. And cats are clearly winning. Nationwide, feline predators kill up to 3.7 billion birds and as many as 20.7 billion mammals annually. But on Tuesday, the fight was between cat fanciers and bird fans as the problem …