Questions and Answers about Feral Cats
By Animal Friends
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Q. I’ve noticed cat prints in the snow in my back yard. What should I do?
A. It could be that a neighborhood cat is just taking a stroll, but more than likely, as is the case across the country, you may have a feral cat that is looking for warm shelter.
Find a place out of the wind and set up a small shelter for her. It should be waterproof, windproof, and camouflaged. Straw is the best form of bedding for the inside.
Ideally, there should be an electrical outlet nearby so you can provide a heated water bowl. If the bowl is not heated, the water will simply freeze.
Provide her with a consistent and adequate source of dry food.
Using a humane trap, catch her and have her sterilized and inoculated against rabies. Remember never to leave the trap unattended, especially in very cold or hot weather. The cats are vulnerable to mischief and extreme temperatures when confined in the traps.
Whether you need straw for the cat’s bedding, a humane trap, or even support for low-cost spay or neuter surgeries, Animal Friends can help. Call 412.847.7000 to learn more about these options. Animal Friends can be a great resource for you.
Q. I know Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) is supposed to be humane, but I worry about feral cats when they’re returned to the wild. How do they survive?
A. Understand that feral cats don’t thrive in the same situations that pets do. They've had limited to no human contact. They are very fearful of humans and that just isn’t going to change after they're more than six weeks old. The most compassionate thing you can do for ferals is to trap, vaccinate, sterilize and put them back in their familiar surroundings.
Whatever you do though, take care of them. Feral cats do depend on kind caretakers for a consistent source of food, water and shelter, along with veterinary care if they need it.
You may be concerned about your feral cats contracting one of the three major feline viral diseases: feline leukemia, feline immunodeficiency virus or feline infectious peritonitis. You’ll be relieved to know that studies find no increased incidence of these diseases in feral cat populations over domestic cat populations.
Plus, ferals fare much better after they've been altered. Once they are no longer searching for a mate, ferals tend to wander less and are less likely to fight and sustain injuries. They also don’t have to worry about pregnancy and nursing, which are very hard on female cats.
So, continue on with your TNR plans with confidence and practice responsible stewardship of your colonies. Your ferals should enjoy a pleasurable existence in a place they call home, while chasing butterflies and lying in the sun.
Q. I am feeding a colony feral cats and would like to try to tame the cats. Is this a good idea?
A. This is a common question that arises when we talk about Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR). Because they are not domesticated animals, most feral cats can not be placed into homes. But, it is important to remove kittens less than six weeks old so that they can be socialized and placed into loving, lifelong homes. The same holds true for friendly cats that have found their way into a feral colony.
However, we must acknowledge that a cat older than six weeks who has had limited to no human contact is not likely to be tamed. She will not thrive in a conventional domestic setting. Trying to keep a feral cat inside will make her miserable and could put your safety at risk. In these cases, the most compassionate and humane thing you can do is sterilize her, inoculate her against rabies, and return her to her familiar surroundings outside—under your watchful eye with plenty of fresh water, food and shelter.
As time goes on, your feral colony will become comfortable with your feeding routine and with you. But, you should remain cautious. Feral cats are extremely fearful of humans and may bite out of fear if you try to pick them up. Remember—you can do them a world of service by trapping them, sterilizing them, inoculating them and caring for them. Don’t endanger yourself or them by risking a bite. Resist the temptation until you get home. Then pick up your own pet and give her a big hug!
Spay and Neuter Resources
Animal Friends’ Low-Cost Spay/Neuter program has a feral cat package, including spay/neuter, rabies vaccination and eartipping, for $30 per cat. Call 412.847.7004 to schedule your feral cats for surgery and for advice on trapping and colony management. To learn more about feral cats, visit Animal Friends at www.ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org.
