Introducing Feral Cat Care
by Shell Sullivan
You've probably seen them gathered around dumpsters and in parking
lots -- homeless cats who flee from humans. These domestic cats,
referred to as "feral," are the result of abandoning and failing to
spay or neuter domestic house cats. Killing these victims of neglect
should not be a consideration.
"Trap-Neuter-Return" ("TNR") is an effective, internationally
recognized program in which cats are trapped, vaccinated, spayed or
neutered, and returned to their original location. A feral cat colony
caretaker, who is usually a volunteer rescue worker, feeds the cats
on a regular basis and brings them to a veterinarian if they require
medical assistance. The resultant group of cats, including any new
cats entering the caretaker's sphere, is known as a managed feral cat
colony. Along with TNR, caretakers promote public education about our
responsibility to our community and to the domestic animals we have
created.
Some states have passed, or are trying to pass, ordinances that will
cause the suffering and death of homeless cats by eradicating TNR.
Shell Sullivan has been involved in homeless cat rescue for two
decades. She has experience with ferals, including adoptions, TNR,
socialization, and bottle-feeding orphaned kittens. She has worked
with feral cats in both rural and urban settings. Currently, she
shares her home with special-needs cats who were feral or abandoned.
Here, Shell answers some of the most frequently asked questions
regarding TNR and feral cats.
How are feral cats different from other cats?
The only difference between a housecat and a feral is that the latter
has had little or no human contact and developed a natural fear of
humans. Ferals are erroneously labeled as "wild cats." A bobcat is a
wild cat; a feral cat is a homeless domesticated cat. Housecats often
turn feral -- using society's definition of "feral cat" -- when
brought to the veterinarian's office.
Why doesn't trap and kill work?
Traditional, agency-run attempts to trap and kill cats have
historically resulted in greater numbers of stray animals than have
well planned systems to trap, alter, and return cats. The latter
method, in conjunction with public education, stabilizes numbers and
facilitates the eventual elimination of colonies of homeless cats.
The trap-and-kill method is usually implemented in spurts. Cats will
be trapped for a few weeks and then the area is abandoned. Cats who
escaped the traps remain. Moreover, people continue to abandon cats
and allow unaltered cats to roam. Without public education, and
without a permanent caretaker to monitor the area, the breeding cycle
quickly starts up again. Trap-and-kill has been used for decades and
we still have a feral cat overpopulation problem. It is unethical and
does not work.
Why do some oppose TNR?
Misconceptions regarding feral cats and TNR may cause unnecessary
public anxiety. Many believe that ferals carry diseases, or are
responsible for bird and wildlife decline. There are also those who
believe that the cats are better off dead than living outdoors.
Then there are people who simply don't want the cats around.
Isn't it true that domestic cats should be kept indoors?
Ideally, yes. Domestic cats are safest indoors. However, because of
the overpopulation crisis, there are not enough available homes. The
next best thing for feral domestic cats born outdoors is a managed
colony where food, water, shelter, and medical care are consistently
provided.
Can a feral cat become an indoor cat?
Absolutely. I have a house full of formerly feral cats, as do many
people I know. These cats require patience and a stable home; ferals
must learn to trust and feel safe in their new environment. Adopting
a feral is not for everyone. My suggestion to anyone adopting a feral
is to forget all of your expectations and focus on the goal: saving
a life. Some ferals will never become "lap cats," others will, but
they can all learn to live happily indoors.
Are feral cats sickly?
A report published from the University of Florida on more than 1,800
feral cats demonstrated only 4% to be infected with feline leukemia
virus or feline immunodeficiency virus, which is similar to that
found in pet cats. [1]
Rabies is not commonly found within feral cat colonies. [2] Moreover,
the danger of rabies in humans is, overall, relatively slight. During
2001, 49 states and Puerto Rico reported only 1 case of rabies in a
human, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Canada did not report any cases of rabies in human beings during
2001. [3]
Are feral cats causing bird and wildlife decline?
Outdoor cats do occasionally kill birds and other animals; however,
it is important to note that the main cause of bird and wildlife
decline is habitat loss, which is caused by humans. National
Geographic News reports that the declining bird populations reflect
growing threats to many bird species resulting from habitat loss and
fragmentation caused by development and other human activities. [4]
Moreover, communications towers kill up to 50 million birds a year.
[5] Wildlife biologist Roger Tabor is quoted as saying, "The clear
leading animal that's really putting wildlife at risk is the human
population. We just don't like to acknowledge that it is our fault.
It's not a case of the cat being the worst offender. It isn't even
remotely the worst offender. It's us." [6]
A recent Columbia University study found that "reducing cats' effect
on the ecosystem may actually have a negative impact upon some native
species due to the possibility of 'mesopredator release effect'. In
areas where domestic cats are preying upon invasive rodent species,
such as the Norway rat, elimination of cats could induce a rat
population spike which may adversely affect those native fauna and
flora that are the rats' source of food. Therefore, domestic cat
population control in a given area should be undertaken with care and
an understanding of the cat's role in that particular ecosystem." The
study also recommended that we confront the cat population problem
with a combination of methods: enlist the "trap-neuter-return" style
of feral management and combine it with incentives for owners to
sterilize their pet cats. [7]
Most important of all: Even where cats might be observed hunting,
killing the cats fails to address this issue because trap and kill
does not set its sights on the long-term goal -- ending the homeless
cat crisis.
What measures have been taken to legally restrict TNR?
Some states have passed, or are trying to pass, ordinances that will
cause the suffering and death of homeless cats by eradicating TNR.
Feral cat caretakers are accused of being a "public health nuisance"
and ferals who are returned to their territory after sterilization
are considered "abandoned." Caretakers can be fined, even jailed,
while the managed colony is trapped and killed. Rather than
jeopardize the important work of caretakers, local government should
support these volunteers, who perform a much-needed public service.
What can a person do to help ferals in their area?
• Make sure all cats in your care are spayed or neutered.
• Support TNR efforts in your community. The biggest obstacle
for most caretakers is fighting with hostile neighbors.
• Help educate your community -- become a spokesperson for
ferals.
• The reduction of feral cat populations requires a community's
effort. Get involved. Help end the suffering of these cats and
prevent future litters. Do not attempt to handle or trap a homeless
cat without first consulting an experienced rescuer.
• If you are unable to help feral cats in your area, please
seek assistance from a rescue group or individual rescuer. Ignoring
homeless animals is precisely what perpetuates the problem.
Those interested in being effective caretakers might wish to visit a
project started by Shell Sullivan called Feral Cat Network. The
Network assists caretakers by providing information to the public
regarding adoption and TNR. If you have questions about ferals in
your area, you can visit the Network at:
http://www.theanimalspirit.com/feralcatnetwork.html or contact
feralcatnet@yahoo.com .
NOTES:
[1] Statement from Dr. Julie Levy, read at the hearing of the Florida
Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) on the proposed policy to
eradicate feral cats in Florida. May 30, 2003. Available at
http://www.bestfriends.org/nmhp/ferals26-02.htm . Accessed November
23, 2003.
[2] Rabies Control And Feral Cats In The US," Alley Cat Allies.
Available at http://www.alleycat.org/pdf/rabies.pdf . Accessed
September 29, 2003.
[3] "Public Veterinary Medicine: Public Health - Rabies surveillance
in the United States during 2001," John W. Krebs, MS; Heather R.
Noll, MPH; Charles E. Rupprecht, VMD, PhD; James E. Childs, ScD.
Available at
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/Professional/publications/Survei
llance/Surveillance01/text01.htm . Accessed September 29, 2003.
[4] "Quarter of U.S. Birds in Decline, Says Audubon," National
Geographic News, November 5, 2002
[5] "Towering Troubles: Bird Collisions With Communications Towers."
Journey North, 2002
[6] "Living in the Gray Zone," Estelle Munro. October 2003. Available
at http://www.bestfriends.org/features/ferals2_101203/grayzone.htm .
Accessed November 5, 2003.
[7] "Introduced Species Summary Project: Domestic Cat" Danielle
LaBruna, Columbia University, January 29, 2001. Available at
http://www.columbia.edu/itc/cerc/danoff-
burg/invasion_bio/inv_spp_summ/Felis_catus.html . Accessed November
23, 2003.
http://www.theanimalspirit.com/feralcatnetwork.html
Posted on SHARE Yahoo group Nov. 24, 2004