| What IS a Feral Cat, Anyway? |
||
 |
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP |
|
| Ferals
are cats who have reverted back to a wild state after being abandoned
or lost, or the offspring of such cats. They have learned to live
outdoors with little human contact, but still depend on humans
for food. Feral cats generally live in colonies that can be managed through
Trap-Neuter-Return. This means that cats are trapped (humanely
and painlessly), spayed or neutered and returned to their colony.
Colonies can be just a few cats to several dozen and are looked
after by a volunteer caretaker who makes sure they have food,
water, proper shelter and gets them vet care as needed.TNR
has become an accepted method of managing feral cats all over
the world. We have provided some sources of information below
for those wanting to know more about it.While
it is never the first option, there are times that feral cats
need to be relocated. These cats would be unhappy living indoors
but would be very content to live in a nice barn, shed or secure
out building and come and go as they please. Barn cats ask little of their people -- just an ample supply of
fresh food and water each day, a safe and cozy area that is padded
with straw for cold winter nights, and a commitment to providing
veterinary attention when needed. If
you want to help ferals who need to be relocated, email us with the subject heading: Ferals Wanted. Please
be prepared to accept multiple cats since ferals form strong
bonds with their colony.
Feral Resources Alley Cat Allies is a national nonprofit clearing house for information on feral an stray cats. Their resource center offers dozens of tools, outreach strategies, building plans and downloadable guides to help feral caregivers. It's become a one stop shop for feral cat information. http://www.alleycat.org/resources.html Best Friends Animal Society is working with humane groups across the U.S. to bring about a time when there are No More Homeless Pets.
Their sanctuary, at the heart of Southern Utah's Golden Circle of national parks, is home, on any given day, to about 1,500 animals. Neighborhood
Cats was formed in 1999 to promote TNR as the most humane
and effective means of solving New York City's severe feral
cat overpopulation crisis. Their website provides step-by-step
guidance for those who want to help ferals in their own community.
This includes an online class in TNR. http://www.neighborhoodcats.org/ Trap-Neuter-Return: How to Manage a Feral Cat Colony - Sample Workshop Outline Word document (79 kb) PDF (38 kb) The
Nuts and Bolts of Implementing a Community-wide TNR program Trap-Neuter-Return:
Developing and Effective Strategy for the Permanent Reduction
of Feral and Stray Cat Populations |
||