What is a feral cat?

Basically, a feral cat is a wild cat. It’s a cat that is not used to, and will generally shun human contact. A stray/abandoned cat can become feral, but most ferals are born into the wild and are difficult if not impossible to tame.

A stray cat is one that used to be an owned cat that was either lost or abandoned. They will generally “warm up” to human contact and can possibly be re-homed. Sometimes a stray spends enough time on its own that it can become feral.

If feral kittens are exposed to human contact at an early enough age, they can be tamed and are adoptable. I should know, I have a houseful and they love to get their pets, be held and played with – all the time! That alone proves that I am a foster failure. I not only tamed them, but I also got attached to them.

The hardest part about taking care of a feral colony is controlling the population. On average, a female cat can have three litters a year. Note that said on average, they can have more. That is a population explosion no one wants to see.

That’s where TNR comes into play. TNR is trap, neuter and release. It is an important part of any feral colony caretaker’s job. Neutered and spayed cats enjoy longer, healthier lives.

Feral cats that have been spayed and neutered are marked and are easily recognizable. Either a notch is cut into their ear or the tip is cut off, right ear for females and left for males.

Controlling the cat population is simple enough for the average cat owner. Spay and neuter surgeries are not very expensive and should always be done as soon as the kitten is old enough, usually at six months old.

Intact cats should never be allowed out of the house. It’s too dangerous for them because of cats fighting over territories or other cats in heat, plus they can add to the problems created by overpopulation.

When there is a colony of cats, spaying and neutering can get into big bucks unless a caretaker is lucky enough to find FREE programs. Here in Orlando, there is usually ONE a month with a limit of five cats per person each time. It takes a long time and dedication to get an entire colony done within those parameters.

Be a responsible cat owner, always spay and neuter.