Fixing a Feral Cat
(from the Humane Alliance.org website)
What is a feral cat? And what do we do with them?
A feral cat is one that lives outside and is not socialized to humans. Feral cats can have the same lifespan, and the incidence of disease is just as low, as companion cats. Feral cats can live long, healthy lives, content in their outdoor home.
Feral cats typically live in colonies where they have access to food and shelter. An unmanaged colony can become a problem, with rampant breeding, and the onset of problem mating behaviors (fighting, yowling, etc.). However, feral cats should not be taken to the
animal shelter, as they are not adoptable and can only be euthanized. Catching and killing the cats does not work - when cats are removed from an area, survivors breed to capacity or new cats move in (this is known as the “vacuum effect,” and is well-documented.
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is the most humane and effective method available to end the severe feral cat overpopulation crisis faced by this country. This method has been endorsed by national animal welfare groups, as well as many animal control departments, as the best option for feral cats and the communities they inhabit.
What is TNR, and why does it work?
Here’s how TNR works:
• A feral cat colony is identified.
• The cats are trapped humanely.
• The cats are transported to a clinic for their spay/neuter
surgery and rabies vaccination (at minimum).
• The cats have their left ear “tipped” for future identification.
• The cats are returned to their colony within 24 – 48 hours.
• Volunteers feed and care for the cat colony on a daily basis.
TNR stabilizes the colony size by eliminating new litters. It also reduces the nuisance behavior associated with unsterilized cats.
TNR’s most measurable effect is that fewer cats/kittens flow through animal shelters resulting in lower euthanasia rates and increased adoptions of shelter cats.
Our Feral Cat Protocols/Policies
In the interest of giving the cats the very best medical attention possible, we have developed special protocol for feral cats at our clinic:
1. All feral cats must come to the clinic in a secure, live-release trap. No exceptions. This is for the well-being of the cats and the safety of our staff. If they are tame enough to be put in a carrier, please make an appointment. We understand that free-roaming cats do not make themselves available for appointments, therefore we are trying our best to accept feral cats as they are caught. If you trap a feral cat, please call and let us know to expect you the next morning.
2. Feral cats must be fasted by the trapper - no food after 7am the day of surgery. If there is a food bowl/tin in the trap with the cat, please just turn it over.
3. Feral cats must be in the clinic by 9:00am.
4. We will receive feral cats at the clinic Monday through Thursday.
5. Any cat that arrives in a live-release trap will not receive a physical exam to determine fitness for anesthesia prior to receiving anesthesia. Therefore, they are surrendered at your own risk for surgery.
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