Frequently Asked Questions about Feral Cats
What exactly is a feral cat?
Feral means wild. A feral cat, although he or she may look like an ordinary housecat, is a cat who has not been socialized by humans.
Can’t feral cats be tamed and adopted?
That’s not an easy question to answer. If kittens are handled and socialized, even if they are born wild, they can be tamed and adopted into homes. Socialization is most often successful if the kittens are under 4 months of age.
Since we rarely know the history of homeless cats, it isn’t always easy to tell just how wild an individual cat is. Former housecats may initially appear to be wild and untouchable. Many people are not always kind to "stray" cats, spraying them with water, chasing them off with brooms, yelling at them or throwing things at them to make them move on. To survive on the street, cats need to learn to be wary of humans. Many times this wariness can be interpreted as a sign of being wild or unfriendly. Shown kindness and patience, along with providing a consistent source of food, former housecats can learn to trust again.
Not unlike humans, cats have individual personalities. Some cats are naturally friendly and more affectionate than others. It can take months to understand and determine the nature of a cat.
What about putting feral cats in a sanctuary, where they will be safe and won’t be a threat to wildlife?
That sounds good, but the solution isn’t that simple. Consider these potential problems:
The policy does not make feeding stray, feral or abandoned cats illegal. You should consult your local animal control laws to determine what the law is in your area.
How can I find out about my local laws?
To view the statutes for most counties, click here. If yours is not there, you can request a copy from your local animal control agency
Isn't living on the streets or in the wild a miserable, short life for feral cats? Aren’t they really better off being humanely euthanized?
Life on the street can be miserable for former housecats, who are used to living indoors, being fed on a regular basis and being stroked and cared for by their caretakers. That is why TNR groups recommend finding homes for all friendly adult cats and kittens, instead of returning them to the street. Wild animals, on the other hand, only know the life they have. It is survival of the fittest for foxes, squirrels, raccoons, sparrows, mockingbirds, etc. Feral cats should be viewed in the same way. Would you consider euthanizing every raccoon because they might be hit by a car, attacked by a dog or have a difficult time finding something to eat?
Don't Feral cats kill millions of birds each year?
Humans kill hundreds of millions of birds each year, either through hunting, habitat destruction, radio, television and cell phone towers, pollution, pesticides and highrises. There are NO studies that support the estimates given for the number of birds killed by feral and free roaming cats. Click here for more details.
But aren't cats natural predators?
Cats are carnivores, which means they eat meat. Not all cats are hunters, and not all cats that hunt are successful every time they try to catch something. The primary prey of felines are rodents, rats and mice. In addition to hunting and killing their prey, cats will also eat carrion, which is already dead animals. Urban feral cats also take advantage of human trash, diving into dumpsters and trash cans for a daily meal.
Additionally, studies have shown that older cats do not hunt as frequently or as successfully as younger, adolescent cats. Therefore, TNR can actually reduce the predation rate of cats. Since the younger cats are generally removed and placed in homes, they are not hunting. The cats that are returned to their home/colony are generally the older ones.