Meoow! Meooow!! Meoooow!!! Ever hear that late at night? Ever leave for work the next morning and find little paw prints all over your car? And, neither you nor your neighbors own cats. Well, you're probably being visited by Feral Cats.

Feral cats are the offspring of domestic cats that have reverted to the "wild". Feral cat populations begins and grows by pet cats being abandoned by their owners, or by non-neutered domestic males mating with wild females. These wild cats form into local colonies, and continue to live and breed. And live and breed they do! It is now estimated that there may be close to 100,000,000 Feral cats in the U.S. It doesn't take much of an imagination to visualize how rapidly a single wild female, and her female offspring, can multiply in just a few years.

These growing populations of wild cats can be found almost anywhere. They need food and shelter to survive, so anywhere one of both of these needs can be fulfilled you will find feral cats - dumps, farms, parks, even schools and hospitals, etc.

"So what", you say. "Let them alone -- they'll take care of themselves." "They don't bother anyone, too much" Wrong! These wild cats are not living the good life. Only about 25% survive to adulthood, they are always in search food and shelter, and are subject to all sorts of diseases and dangers. Feral cats can also be a hazard to other animals, pets, and humans, not to mention bird life. The most common threat can be Rabies, but feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiancy has been found to be carried by feral cats.

So, what can be done? First and foremost; all cat owners must become responsible caretakers.

• Unless you're a breeder, or actually breed your cat, have it spayed or neutered.
• If your cat is an outdoor cat have it spayed or neutered.
• Never abandon your cat. There are plenty of rescue organizations that can help you place your cat in a good home. PGAA™ can help you find such an organization.
• Tag your cat.

Adult feral cats are usually difficult to tame. It can be attempted and, if successful you will probably gain a very good friend, but it takes a lot of patience and work. Adult feral cats that cannot not be tamed are usually located to a more rural environment where there is less exposure to the dangers of town and city life.

Kitten feral cats are more easily tamed, but can be more of a problem than a domestic kitten. Remember, you are dealing with cats that have completely returned to the wild.

Please visit Feral Cat Allies to see how you can help the feral cat population.

Please visit the web site of Alley Cat Allies at www.alleycat.org, and/or send a contribution to: Alley Cat Allies, 1801 Belmont Road, N.W., Suite 201, Washington, D.C. 20009. According to their literature 80% of the proceeds to directly to the Program, 8% to administration and 12% to fund raising. Ask your community's leaders to investigate and institute TNR programs to cut down on your feral populations.

Other Trap, Neuter and Release (TNR) sites are:

Feral Feline

Feral Cat (San Diego)

Neighbohood Cats

Written by Ron Lueth, Pet Guardian Angels of America

Rescue Links

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