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Three Methods:Identifying CatsHelping Feral CatsHelping Stray Cats

WARNING: Cats are incredibly cute and playful, and they are among the most adored and loved animals in the world. Because of that it’s easy to overlook the extremely negative effects feral cats have on the environment. Please take a moment to read this warning and see that helping feral cat communities to continue may not best for them or the environment.


Cats are one of the world's most efficient predators, killing for kicks and who have hunted some rare species into extinction) It is estimated that cats kill 1.4 to 3.7 billion birds in the U.S. each year and cats are the leading cause of bird deaths in the U.S. Also it’s estimated that the cats also kill 6.9 to 20.7 billion mammals, which include rabbits, squirrels, shrews and voles, in addition to mice and rats. Based on data from other countries, they think cats may kill 95 to 299 million amphibians and 258 to 822 million reptiles in the U.S. each year. What seems to be humane for feral cats is inhumane for nearly every natural species of animal near them.


Feral female cats will give birth to feral kittens. These cats will go through puberty usually at 8 to 10 months old, and give birth to one to five babies after just 9 weeks — and can get pregnant again while still nursing the new litter. With their quick reproduction cycle and natural street smarts, it's easy to see why experts estimate there are 70 million or more feral cats in the U.S. alone. Spaying and neutering seems like a good solution but spayed or neutered cats are still killing machines and only a very small percentage of the feral cat population can ever be trapped.


Feral cats are a frequent source of animal-transmitted, serious diseases such as rabies, toxoplasmosis, and plague. These cats account for the most cases of human rabies exposure among domestic animals, and are the source for one-third of rabies post-exposure treatments in the United States. Because of inconsistent incident reporting, that number is likely an underestimate of the actual cases of rabies exposure. Trap, neuter, and release (TNR) programs may lead to increased, un-inoculated populations of cats that can serve as a source of transmittable serious diseases. A 1988 study showed rabies has been detected more frequently in cats than in dogs; in 2008, the number of cats detected with rabies was four times higher than dogs. In 2010, rabies cases declined for all domestic animals except cats, which comprised 62 percent of all rabies cases for domestic animals.





Summer and winter are polar opposites in the outdoor environment. While the summer days can, at times, reach triple digits, blasting cold can be intense during the winter. Some animals, such as squirrels and raccoons, have methods of hiding from the cold, but other animals, such as cats, struggle more. Identifying and telling the difference between feral and stray cats will help you greatly in determining how to best approach and help them during any weather condition.

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Method 1 of 3: Identifying Cats

  1. 1
    Know the definition of a stray cat. Lost or abandoned cats who still hold any domesticated characteristics will most likely be a stray. Depending on the degree range, a cat will quickly approach a human who offers food or be afraid, but will show a small interest over time.
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  2. 2
    Know the definition of a feral cat. Feral cats have lived a huge part of their lives in the outdoor world and have no domesticated habits. These cats will shun humans however they can.
  3. 3
    Watch the cat's interactions with other animals. Feral cats tend to create groups of their own, also known as colonies, while stray cats will roam and live by themselves.
  4. 4
    Analyze the body language. Feral cats will stray away from body communication, especially the eyes. Stray cats will be more apt to look directly at humans. Hissing, striking, and growling are common defense tactics used by feral cats, while strays tend to be more quiet in defending themselves, from small meows to low hissing.
  5. 5
    Observe the environment during the day and night. Both stray and feral cats tend to hang out where food can easily be found: near dumpsters, restaurants, abandoned structures, or under porches. Because strays retain some domesticated behavior, they can been seen more often during the day. Feral cats, on the other hand, are nocturnal and tend to come out of their hiding places for food runs during the night.

Method 2 of 3: Helping Feral Cats

  1. 1
    Avoid hesitating to help a cat. Whether a cat is found to be stray or feral, both need the support of humans in their own way.
  2. 2
    Seek experienced help if trapping a feral cat. Because of how wild and untamed feral cats are and their reactions to humans, it's best not to trap them yourself.
  3. Cat_in_transport_cage_0926.jpg
    3
    Research and call a local cat organization that performs "TNR". TNR stands for "Trap-Neuter-Return", which is simply trapping the cats, neutering them, and returning the cats to their original "home area".
  4. 4
    Consider making a homemade shelter for feral cats. If you know a colony resides in the vicinity, get friends or neighbors to help you construct one or several "homes". Leftover lumber or small dog houses are most convenient and may be the easiest resources to find. Remember the bigger the house is, the less body heat is retained in the house. Straw is the recommended bedding material and don't forget to lay out food and water nearby.[1]

Method 3 of 3: Helping Stray Cats

  1. 1
    Use a trap to most effectively catch stray cats. To avoid injuries to both yourself and the cat, you should never handle them with your bare hands, even if you have been nurturing it for a while. Choose to use bait, such as cat food or white chicken meat to lure the cat into the trap.
  2. 2
    Keep the timing in mind when planning your catch. If you are planning to visit a veterinarian within 12 hours, you may keep the cat in the cage or trap during that time. Using this method will eliminate the need to release the cat and then have to re-trap it. If the veterinarian visit is planned for a time that is further in the future, designate a closed, warm space in your house and provide food and water for the time being. Suitable areas might be the basement or a quiet, unused room.
  3. 3
    Request that the veterinarian check for a possible microchip. At the size of a grain of rice, microchips sit just underneath the skin between the shoulder blades. Scanning a microchip provides contact information about the animal owner.
  4. 4
    Think of creating lost and found notices. Craigslist, weekly newspapers, or social media sites are great ways to reach out to the community. Add a picture of the cat, a specific description, and include the area where you found the cat.
  5. 5
    Consider putting the stray cat up for adoption. Many animal shelters are typically loaded with animals, and non-adopted ones are usually put to sleep after some time to avoid overpopulation. Many people will put up a re-homing fee; this is to help ensure the cat will be going to a safe and loving home.
  6. 6
    Consider adopting the cat yourself. Taking stray cats off the street is a great alternative for pet adoption rather than using pet stores or shelters.
  7. 7
    Help your cat adapt to the new home environment. Your home environment may have a lot of obstacles and conditions the cat either may adapt after several months or years, or not at all. Some obstacles that are typically more difficult to overcome are young children and existing pets, especially dogs. High levels of patience are required and it helps if you are able to provide a dedicated room for the cat the first few months.
  8. Sydney the Cat.jpg
    8
    Provide lots of encouragement for the cat. This helps the cat adjust to new territory and will likely pay off in the end by establishing a warm relationship.
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Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/feral_cats/tips/caring_feral_cats_winter.html


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