feral

Feral cats are the 'wild' offspring of domestic cats and are primarily the result of pet owners' abandonment or failure to spay and neuter their animals, allowing them to breed uncontrolled. Feral cat 'colonies' can be found behind shopping areas or businesses, in alleys, parks, abandoned buildings, and rural areas. They are elusive and do not trust humans.

Many people assume their animals will survive when they move away and leave them behind. Contrary to popular belief, domestic animals do not automatically return to their "natural" instincts and cannot fend for themselves! Already, U.S. animal shelters are forced to kill an estimated 15 million homeless cats and dogs annually. The alternative to humane euthanasia for almost every stray is a violent end or slow, painful death. Many "throwaways" die mercilessly outdoors from starvation, disease, abuse --- or as food to a predator.

A pair of breeding cats, which can have two or more litters per year, can exponentially produce 420,000 offspring over a seven-year period, And the overpopulation problem carries a hefty price tag. Statewide, more than $50 million (largely from taxes) is spent by animal control agencies and shelters for cat-related expenses.

Studies have proven that trapping-neutering-and releasing is the single most successful method of stabilizing and maintaining healthy feral cat colonies with the least possible cost to local governments and residents, while providing the best life for the animals themselves.

Please note - If you trap a feral cat, please don't drop it off in another area and make it someone else's problem. Have the cat spayed or neutered and then release it. If you find out that s(he) is adoptable, find a good home.

T-N-R

Tips for Trapping

Have-A-Heart or Tomahawk traps have been used successfully. Many organizations will let you borrow their traps for a small deposit which is refundable upon the trap's return

Bait

Smelly fish such as tuna, sardines or mackerel

Other Needed Materials

A towel or sheet to cover the trap

Flashlight for night trapping

Patience and determination

Procedure

Prior to trapping, notify your neighbors of your intention. Have them keep their cats indoors during this time, or tag them so if they are caught, they will be let go

Establish a pattern. Feed in the same place and time every day

Contact your vet or clinic and let them be aware of your intentions and make a prior arrangement

Set the trap(s) after one day of not feeding

Use smelly food to attract

Using a trap with a sliding back door makes it easier to release an animal that you didn't want to trap

After you have trapped the animal, cover trap with a towel or sheet - this will calm the cat (please note: even non-feral cats will panic when trapped)

DO NOT LEAVE THE TRAP SET OVERNIGHT!

Trapped cats can be left in the trap overnight as long as they are covered and in a SAFE and secure place such as a garage or basement protected from dogs and other wildlife

Cats can be transported to the vet in the trap. Place a piece of plastic (garbage bags work well) under the trap - some cats may urinate out of fear and stress

When spaying or neutering, please be sure to tell the vet to use dissolving sutures because it is almost impossible to re-trap a cat for suture removal

Notching an ear, which is common, can be done if there are 2 cats that look very similar

Males can usually be released within 12 after surgery, but, the veterinarian has the final say. Females require more time and should be held No Less than 48 hours. Cats CANNOT be left in the trap for any length of time. Therefore, have a cage available for this purpose.... Line the cage with newspaper which makes it easier to clean. You will also need a litter box, water and food

Please remember that these cats do not understand what you are trying to do. They feel trapped and threatened and may become hostile. Exercise caution at all times

After the appropriate recovery time, transport the cat back to the release site. Open the door of the carrier, stand back and they will just run out.

So there you are. Good Luck! and remember it is all our responsibility to help reduce the pet over-population.

see also:

Spay-Neuter-Adopt

Cruelty

Hoarding