Today is National Feral Cat Day!

[CarolsCritterCare]

On October 16th, National Feral Cat Day (NFCD), Alley Cat Allies will launch a campaign to change the policies that kill feral cats and kittens. This year, along with newly developed materials to help you introduce the public to feral cats, we begin shedding light on the archaic and entrenched animal control systems throughout our country—systems that do not protect the lives of stray and feral cats.

National Feral Cat Day

BTW -- Feral Cats have the same (LOW!!!) incidence of Rabies and FIV
that Housecats have. Feral Cats are, for the most (high percentage)
part VERY healthy - and one feral cat who lived outdoors all her
life in one of the first MANAGED Feral colonies in DC, just passed
away at the age of NINETEEN (19!) -- she was the last feral cat in
that colony -- another one passed away recently at the age of
SIXTEEN!! Bless their hearts!!! This is what managed care of a feral
colony can do (S/N, Ear Tip, Rabies shots, feed and water daily,
build small shelters for them and get the neighborhood either
involved with or accepting of these street angels).

[Kelly68]

Just because feral cats haven't ever been socialized to humans, they shouldn't be destroyed or abused. It wasn't their fault and have every right to live a normal life. I think that maybe if vets weren't so damn expensive more people would be able to get their animal spayed or neutered. That is what makes me mad. A lot of good people with great intentions may fall on hard times and the pet is made to suffer.

IF I was rich. Which I am no where near close......I would make sure my local area humane societies had enough money in their bank account to see that anyone who was in need and could house a pet, could get that stuff done for free. Because I think if you do on to others they will do back to you if they ever got back on their feet.

My two cents anyhow.

[MrKhay]

Be kind to your fellow creatures. I'll post what I know about cats in the appropriate thread.
Cats, whether feral or domestic, are creatures too.

[CarolsCritterCare]

I have many feral cats around here that I attend to. Last winter I had one hanging around the porch and side door when it was so very cold out. I trapped him and brought him indoors for that cold snap. He quickly darted from the trap as I opened it and took refuge on my shelves just behind my desk....my back to the kitty. As I worked I listened to his low growling of unhappiness for being brought indoors. I put a litter box in the room and he did use it. He'd come down late at night to eat and potty and then go back to the shelves during the day. Once the cold snapp broke I opened the door and within minutes kitty was back outside.....still coming to the porch daily for something to eat.

Over in Oconomowoc, the McDonalds on Hwy 16 there is a colony of ferels there, just behind the dumpsters of McDonalds. It's a bit wooded...... There is one man who has built little kitty houses for the cats to have shelter. He brings them food and water daily. I have stopped and talked with this man. He's been doing this for the past 12 years, caring for these ferals. They come out for him, dont get close but will come out. But if anyone else goes to their area all the kitties scatter. He has slowly caught them all for TNR.

Jefferson County does not offer a TNR and I have been trying for the past few years to get our local humane society or vets involved in something like this. Can't get anyone interested.....

[Kelly68]

May be a stupid question. But what do you mean by TNR?

[CarolsCritterCare]

Nope. No such thing as a stupid question

TNR = Trap, Neuter, Release

Years of research has shown that this is the most effective and humane way of dealing with the huge feline overpopulation problem, as it pertains to feral cats. Unspayed female cats and their litters can be responsible for the births of 420,000 cats within seven years, a frightening statistic

[CarolsCritterCare]

TNR people also rescue mother cats and their kittens, and if possible, foster the kittens until they are old enough to be rehomed. The mother cats are spayed, and if not totally wild, they are also rehomed.....if possible, otherwise, they are returned to the colony