On occasion, we’ve all seen or heard a feral cat wandering our neighborhood. As an animal lover, you may have a hard time deciding if you should approach the cat, feed the cat or even take the cat into your home.
If you are contemplating caring for a feral cat, there are some factors to consider. First, it is important to understand the differences between the various outdoor cats in your neighborhood.
Stray cats are considered lost or abandoned pet cats. Stray cats are friendly around people and with the help of an expert, an attempt should be made to reunite them with their family or taken to an animal shelter. Unlike stray cats, feral cats are unsocialized offspring of owned, stray cats or other feral cats who have not been spayed or neutered. Feral cats prefer to have limited human contact and are usually too fearful to be handled.
If you are unsure if the cat you are seeing in your neighborhood is lost or feral you could check local social media sites for posts about a missing cat or contact a group who manages reuniting pets and owners in your community.
Should you engage a feral cat?
When considering engaging a feral cat, remember, they have not been socialized with humans and therefore interacting with them may be challenging. Feral cats are not spayed or neutered which causes them to fight with other cats and search for food in dumpsters and garbage cans.
Many kind-hearted cat lovers want to feed feral cats to help them stay alive while others feel that if you stop feeding the cats they will go away. The latter rarely works. Cats can survive for weeks without food and are not quick to leave the territory they know. They usually move closer to homes as they become desperate for food. Therefore, not feeding the cat tends to make the situation worse. If you are feeding a feral cat, most agencies, including the humane society, recommend the TNR program (Trap-Neuter-Release). Once the cat is sterilized, they can return to their neighborhood and can be much less intrusive.
Should you take in a feral cat? How will it react with my cat?
It is extremely important to not forcefully grab an outdoor cat or make sudden movements towards it. Feral cats are fearful of people, it is best to let them come to you on their own. Feral kittens younger than 8 weeks old can be socialized easier. If you choose to care for a feral cat by providing food, sit on the ground so you are at their level. This helps them to know you are not threatening.
Conversely, older cats can rarely be adopted since they have not had human contact at an early age. Older, feral cats can sometimes adapt to indoor life, but it can be a slow process. You will want to ensure you have plenty of time to help the cat acclimate.
Further, cats that live outside have had no medical care can easily acquire diseases including rabies. Before bringing the cat into your home, speak to your veterinarian for advice.
What if the cat is injured?
Your best option when dealing with an injured feral cat is to reach out to your local shelter or non-profit group for help. Since you will need to trap the cat, it is best to leave that to professionals to ensure it is done safely.
If you decide to care for a feral cat or a community of cats, try these steps to help them live the best life possible:
1. Work with a local group to TNR (Trap-Neuter-Release) the cat. This approach will help control population growth in the neighborhood.
2. Provide food and water.
3. Provide shelter, even a plastic box would work, to help keep the cat safe from the elements.
4. Monitor the cats to ensure they are healthy. If needed work with a non-profit group to get them the health care they may need.
Additionally, it is crucial to provide feral cats with a safe shelter that is protected from the elements and insulated from both plunging temperatures and the hot sun. Consider purchasing a feral cat house for your yard that is made to withstand the elements while providing the cat a space to relax. Ensure the cat house you purchase is non-toxic and moisture and odor resistant for the health and safety of the cat.
Remember, whether you decide to care for a feral cat or not, be sure to know the laws in your area. Some communities have ordinances in place to manage the cat population and enforce them. Speak with local community groups to gain a thorough knowledge to ensure your best approach.