 Kitten season is my favorite time of year. Furever Home typically helps 75 new kittens find their loving furever homes and, while most of the kittens are being cared for by our generous foster families (and a big thank you to them – we couldn’t do it without your support!), many kittens aren’t as lucky. Lancaster County’s feral cat population was up 60% last year, with estimates showing that there could be 84,000 feral cats in the county.
It is a big issue. Here are some guidelines on how you can help. The difference between stray and feral cats While stray and feral cats share some commonalities there is a big difference. Stray cats are socialized to humans – in most cases they were once pets who have either become lost or were, unfortunately, abandoned, while feral cats have had very limited (or no) interactions with humans and have reverted to a wild state. Stray cats may become feral as their contact with humans dwindles or, in a happier scenario, become loving pets again if they are taken in. Feral cats typically fear humans. In most cases, unless they are very young at the time of adoption, they do not enjoy living indoors if someone were to take them in. They do, however, bond with their colony. Although you might wish to rehabilitate a feral cat, if they are not socialized by about 5 month of age, it is almost impossible to turn them around. They are best left to live their lives outside. How to tell the difference – a few signs
One of the most important things for you to remember is that feral is a designation of behavior, not location. Should I approach a cat if I see one outside? If you are thinking about approaching an unknown cat you find outside, be cautious. Cat bites and scratches can be harmful. Follow the lead of the cat and if it is friendly to you, take your time and get to know it to build up trust. Stray cats may tolerate touching while feral cats will not – not even by a caretaker who feeds it. As you get to know a stray it will relax over time while a feral cat will remain tense. If they feel threatened, a stray will hiss while a feral cat could lash out aggressively. As stated above, feral cats tend to live in colonies and, together, they will defend their territory. They typically live where they can find food and shelter – such as an abandoned building near a restaurant dumpster or under the porch of someone who feeds them even though there is no other interaction. So how can I help? With a stray, begin by leaving food out for it at the same time each day. As it comes around more, slowly get to know it until the trust is there and you can pet it. If you’re thinking about taking it into your home, be sure to take it to a vet first for shots, neutering, flea treatment and a health checkup – especially if you have other pets. A trip to the groomer will probably also be in order. Whether or not you take the cat in, the first thing you should do is to have the animal scanned for a microchip. Many animals are given away or sent to shelters while their owners are frantically looking for them. Call the local vets and give a description of the animal, take a picture and make a flyer and post it in local vet offices, supermarkets and public places. Ask around the neighborhood. Facebook is an excellent way to advertise a found animal. Craigslist has a very active lost and found pet section in Lancaster. FIND TOBY in PA, lancaster county pa lost found & rehoming cats and Lost Pets of PA are excellent Facebook resources dedicated to posting lost and found animals. If you are unsuccessful finding an owner, you may want to attempt to contact a no-kill shelter to see if they are taking in animals. Be aware that most rescues are very overwhelmed over kitten season and cannot accept the high number of requests that they get to take in animals. Furever Home gets about 30 calls and email per week from people asking them to take in cats. Feral cats, on the other hand, should not be approached. If you have feral cats in your neighborhood, the responsible thing to do is to contact a local feral clinic such as Pet Pantry of Lancaster County and ask to rent a "have-a-heart" trap, which humanely traps the cats. This is a complicated process because you must trap the animal the night before the surgery and take away its food. Call first and Pet Pantry will give you instructions on what is involved in trapping and having an animal spayed/neutered. It’s important to note that you must call the clinic for an appointment before trapping the cat as you can’t leave the cat in the trap longer than 12-18 hours. After surgery, it is a wonderful help if you provide shelters for the feral cats. For great suggestions, see the website of Alley Cat Allies for ideas on how to build outdoor shelters. Furever Home is also happy to assist you to build an outdoor shelter. The final step is providing regular food and water for your outdoor friends. Furever Home has five colonies of feral cats that we feed, helping over 100 cats. And we greatly appreciate any dry cat food donations to help us with this cause. To see our full wish list, click here. To donate and help us with this county-wide issue, please visit http://www.fureverhomeadoptioncenter.com/donate.html. Questions? Let us know in the comments section.
42 Comments
Jewel Haines
7/29/2017 11:50:18 pm
Hi, could you please help me with how to take in a feral kitten!? I feed a colony of about 20. The kitten is much smaller than her siblings, and she is about 1 month old. I can get about 1 foot away from her. I have made progress. We have 1 Husky dog who is good with cats and 1 indoor cat who has never been around other cats or outside. Any advice you could please give would be greatly appreciated! 😊 10/11/2018 03:28:56 am
Feral cats, wild cats, stray cats and many others we have many names for the mysterious felines we sometimes see peeking out from under our porch or darting into abandoned buildings. Yet most of them share a single destiny short, difficult lives.Fortunately, helping feral or abandoned cats isn’t difficult. 10/11/2018 03:37:42 am
Feral cats, wild cats, stray cats and many others we have many names for the mysterious felines we sometimes see peeking out from under our porch or darting into abandoned buildings. Yet most of them share a single destiny short, difficult lives.Fortunately, helping feral or abandoned cats isn’t difficult.
Star
6/7/2020 05:59:53 am
Chemical control, pest control? You are talking about killing them????? That is inhumane, unacceptable, and in many states now criminal.
Julie Smith
10/21/2020 04:57:27 am
What a stupid thing to post about chemical programs. Ban this idiot from making posts on this site!!
Catman
4/6/2022 05:20:38 pm
I'm not 100% but I'm pretty sure when he's talking about chemicals he means as far as the pests. to kill the fleas and ticks in the environment, not to kill the cats. So generally I'm not a fan of any sort of chemicals. Some of my neighbors have used these types of products or even some sort of pesticide on their plants that supposed to be animal-friendly and then the cats eat the grass and then some of the cats died. My neighborhood has a very large stray and some feral cat population colony. Some of the people do not like them but I think they're good to have around because they hunt a lot of things like bugs and we never ever have any rats around here. Well there might be a couple but they're the kind that walk around on two legs and like spying on neighbors
Pam
12/22/2018 02:05:22 am
Thank you for sharing this valuable information!! I care for several ferals in their respective colonies. It's very rewarding as they grow to trust you, welcoming you with chatter as you arrive to feed them. I'm poor because of them but I love doing it!! :)
Diana
1/17/2019 10:37:42 pm
I took in what I believe is a feral cat. He seems healthy I am gathering the money to take him to a vet. He hides during the day but stays with me at night and plays. He is about one. I have been feeding him for 7 months and couldn’t leave him as I moved. Do I have to give him away now?
Angie
3/1/2019 09:34:51 am
I recently started feeding a cat that seems very afraid. He is very vocal ( meows lot ), especially so I can leave it to eat, but I do not think he is feral. He comes alone to eat, but is not very friendly with me, and does not come near me unless I have food. I made an appointment to get him neutered, and I would love to keep him inside with my other cat if he is not microchipped, but I am not sure if he would like that. How can I gain his trust to possibly give him the option of becoming an indoor kitty?
Anne Seymour Brentworth
1/23/2020 07:05:13 pm
I have rescued eleven cats (seven were abandoned kittens), two were self invited guests who never left, one abandoned at Vet’s back door, Several months ago I awoke to my. cats growling. Surprised, I noticed a very skinny smoke color ‘cat’. Forgot to mention, I had been leaving a large bowl of dry cat food/water outside for one of my grown males who started to stray from home for weeks. I also left the front door cracked open, hoping he would retune. He eventually came home to stay. I continued to leave food outside because I could hear several cat’s fighting at night. I still left the door cracked open. I had NEVER heard of feral cats. Now to continue; The# Eleven was eating dry food which I started leaving in the hallway because the outside food was always empty by morning. When I looked at he , he immediately ran away. When he returned, I spoke softy to him to reassure him he was safe. Nowadays he come directly to my hospital bed where I feed him albacore tune, canned salmon, and dry food which is what I feed all my babies. He is very tense, and alert, his meow is different from my cats, and his face is very thin and sharply triangular. My other cats have learned to give him a wide brith. His name is now Smokey. Peace be with you CAT LOVERS. I will build a Colony Home in the wooded area near me; thank you for the enlightenment, Anne
De Clasen
3/23/2020 09:09:09 pm
I am 66 years old and have been taking care of stray and Ferrell 🐈 since I was approximately 50 when over a few days I had 2 🐈 die on my porch and yard. I found out through neighbors there was an elderly lady who had been feeding approximately 10 to 20 cats not always showing up daily had passed away and nobody was feeding them anymore so I who always had dogs and knew nothing about cats and had 2 50 lb. Bags of dog food left from my Bassett Hound who at 21 had passed away 2 months earlier and was going to donate to the shelter, not knowing that dog food wasn't the best for 🐈 started putting it out for them 2 times a day in 3 locations. The 100 pounds lasted me about 4 months. I started buying catfood made for outside cats and put out a
Kathy Arreola
9/28/2021 01:53:52 am
Are you doing okay with the cats?
Barbara
4/6/2020 09:28:07 pm
I have two cats a indoor and a out door one goes out all the timre buts loves to come back home to eat and sleep he talks to me he lays on me and lets me brush him he is loveable is he feral
Christin
5/28/2020 04:44:31 am
So before last week, had cats that hung around and I've fed and been fine. One of them then had kittens and I think she hid them in the trashcan of my enclosed patio because she's very protective around that area (won't let me on my patio) and I hear kitty noises.
tanya
6/6/2020 06:42:50 pm
I hate saying this but its the truth. The odds of getting help from animal control of even a shelter is remote. I've been in a few similar situations myself I ended up becoming a volunteer, and fostering 2 litters, who I turned over to the 10 lives club.They were adopted out when they were old enough.
Julie
6/8/2020 02:57:21 am
Try doing a Google search for ”cat rescue" and the name of your county. I've had a momcat with 4 kittens living under my house...the local SPCA was no help because of COVID, even though they would never have to get near me. I was desperate because there are owls and foxes where I live that could eat the cats, or they might get hit by a car. So I did the search I mentioned above and found a local cat rescue! I've lived here for 60 years and never knew about it, even though they've been doing this for over 20 years! They helped me trap ALL the cats today (with a humane trap), including the momcat. I caught the final kitten at 11pm, and since the rescue people can't come back until morning, I brought the entire trap and kitten in the house for the night (I didn't want her to be left out cold and alone all night). It was actually quite easy! It probably helped that I had been putting food and water out for momcat every night for the last three weeks so she kinda got used to me being around. Also, I don't think she was feral... When I caught her with two of the kittens, she didn't growl or hiss at all, but those kittens would definitely have grown up to be feral...they were terrified, and throwing themselves against the door of the trap so I quickly covered it. 6/18/2020 09:48:18 am
Thank you for information. I also bought a Pet Supplies with the help of the Barkbox Promo Code and this is the best way to buy a pet with a discount. Low prices are normally a real benefit of the e-commerce pet stores which carry pet supplies. Many times the prices are lower and even the quality is better from the online pet supplies shop. Local stores buy from different suppliers who offer discounts for larger orders. Small local stores cannot compete with the purchasing power of the larger nationwide chains. 10/2/2020 05:58:10 pm
Cats love to share their hunting success with their members and owners. So, if you ever find an unwanted gift on your doorstep, do not fret. Your cat just basically wants to thank you for taking care of him or her.
Nhala carroll
10/11/2020 10:47:57 am
Hello, I found an unnuetered and sick looking cat who had signs of past ear infection that had not been treated, I took him to my job where we work to get cats adopted. I was contacted that night I found him by a women that feeds him and wants him back on the street. I told her I would see what I can do. I don't want the cat back on the busy street mating and we can't do treatment for free if I could give him back. The decision was not up to me, I told my boss and he basically said no we can't give the cat back. What should I tell her?
Julie Smith
10/21/2020 05:06:50 am
Tell her too bad, that you are rehoming him and that no cat should be living on the "streets" fending for themselves from cars and coyotes!
Nhala carroll
12/14/2021 10:09:22 am
Thank you, I live in NYC, so there are no coyotes but lots of cars and people. She eventually understood and was able to see him before he got adopted. He was fully treated and went to a really great home where his mother occasionally brings him back for treatment.
Louise
11/15/2020 05:35:23 pm
Is it bad to touch a feeding dish for a feral cat? Can one catch a disease?
Makayla
11/26/2020 10:36:43 am
Hello and Happy thanksgiving friends! After reading the article and many comments I am hoping someone can help me with my situation? This morning my mother caught a (I believe) stray kitten on her morning walk with my dog. She had been seeing this kitten for months now and we believe it is 5 months old. My dog heard it crying and laying in the snow so my mom finally caught it and took it in. Shocker, my dad isn’t pleased with her findings and wants it gone. They have asked me to take it until it find a a home or somewhere safe however my issue is; I have 2 cats myself and am very worried about them catching something from it, even if I wash after touching it. With it being thanksgiving, are there any places I can take it to get tested and make sure it is safe before I take my next step? I hate not being able to help an animal but cannot put my loves at risk. They are my sun in the mornings! I appreciate any help!!
Stef
11/30/2020 11:46:57 am
Ummmm...was looking for info about feral (not Ferrell, he's a comedian) cats and came across this. The comments are killing me. I'm afraid if I keep reading I may become a crazy cat lady. Can this happen if I talk about cats? Can I build a sanctuary near my home and save the world, or should I become a vampire? So many decisions...meow
Bethany
1/5/2021 03:50:53 am
Best. Comment. Ever! 12/2/2020 08:50:37 am
In fact, homeless cats suffer a lot. We will always be aware of our cats. I will ensure that their abode is a safe haven.
Dorian Ford
12/14/2020 06:38:19 pm
i Hey, Such an excellent article..! I really loved to reach you and read this amazing content. I enjoyed reading this after I saw this article because you have presented some good points here. Your enough information and guides definitely help me to learn some new points and tricks Thanks a lot for sharing. Keep it up..! 1/25/2021 05:45:00 pm
I have been reading posts regarding this topic and this post is one of the most interesting and informative one I have read. Thank you for this! 1/28/2021 03:30:23 pm
Thanks for explaining that stray cats will have one of their ears cut if they're spayed or neutered at a clinic. My sister and her husband found a stray cat that they're going to adopt since it wasn't microchipped. Maybe I'll suggest they take the cat in for an ultrasound since on the off-chance it's pregnant from not being spayed. 3/1/2021 07:15:11 am
Your very own commitment to getting the message throughout came to be rather powerful and have consistently enabled employees just like me to arrive at their desired goals. 4/7/2021 03:57:35 am
I appreciated it when you shared that it is great to begin by leaving food out for stray cats at the same time each day. In this way, you can ensure that they know where to find food whenever they are hungry. I would like to think if someone wants to help stray animals, he should consider donating some pet foods at the shelters.
Terri
9/8/2021 04:34:03 pm
I’ve been feeding a feral for three years. She now comes on my porch and allows me to pet her. She even gives me her belly to rub.
Angel Robertson
10/5/2021 06:56:48 pm
I just adopted an elderly cat and her sister from a shelter and I think she is feral. She constantly attacks me, her sister and everybody else. She growls and attacks me just for popping my head round the door to check on her as I've had her 3 weeks and she hasn't come out of the room in that time and when I spoke to the vet, they said to just look at her, they would have to sedate her cos of aggression. I dont know what to do 10/27/2021 02:32:32 am
Hi, I have been feeding a stray cat and won't to bring him in my house. After a vet visit, oh it's a Male. I already have a Male cat, age 8, with liver failure and hepatitis but still doing fine. Do you think this is a good idea? I am not worried about the stray cat but my cat. What are your thoughts. Also I live in ky . It's getting really cold here.thank you Terry
APoll
11/8/2021 07:15:14 pm
I found 2 feral kittens, I would say about 6 weeks old. Can i take them in, will they become trusting (i know we cant say for sure since all kittens are different but) and if i do take them in how do i go about getting them to be trusting of me? 11/15/2021 12:30:18 am
Hey, it’s a great write-up. In our country cat is the most popular domestic animal and the affection towards cat related post is common for us. The difference between stray and feral cats given here is mind blowing. However, when they both are kept within one door, the reality would come into fore
Cristine Bhaiji
12/27/2021 07:40:13 pm
I trapped a beautiful, long haired cat that I had been feeding for a month. I put her in my daughters bathroom for a week, my daughter came home from college a few days ago and now leaves the bathroom door open so the cat can go in her bedroom also. He is very frightened and hides a lot. She eats, uses the litter box and meows to us when she sees us. We can not pet her, she will hiss and try to scratch. Progress has been slow but she appears a little more relaxed around us. We started giving her treats so she would realize our hands bring good things. Tomorrow will be two weeks and I believe she is a scared stray, that she did have a relationship with humans at some point. I had a friend who wanted her so my plan was to give her to my friend or TNR if she was feral. She is not friendly enough for my friend but I do not have the heart to put her back outside, it’s December and very cold where I live. I was waiting for her to settle down but I think that is going to take a long time. I am going to check for a microchip in a couple days and than neuter, vaccines, etc. next week. I can not permanently keep her, I have a cat that hates cat,it wouldn’t be fair to him. My plan is to tame her and find her a loving home. Wish me luck!
When walking home, a cat was laying in the middle of the road. I approached him (I believe it was a him), and he enjoyed being pet, particularly around the face. I think he was a stray, since he walked towards me and readily enjoyed petting. His coat was very well-groomed and he didn't look unhealthy, with a sleek (but not skinny) body, long and well-groomed fur, and bright eyes.
Catman
4/6/2022 05:27:47 pm
I was wondering something why do they say the stray cats may look disheveled but the feral cats may have a clean coat. I live in a place that has a large cat colony and I feed them. And the winter time when there is not many people around I can go through 30 lb of cat food in one week. That's 15 kg for the metric people. What I have noticed is that some of the cats I only see at night. I used to take in the food bowls in the night time but then I noticed that different cats were coming around in the night that I rarely ever see in the daytime. They must be the farewell ones because they're generally scared of me. Or somewhat skitish anyway, especially compared to the daytime cats. Some of the daytime cats will even jump in my lap when I'm sitting outside and lett me pet them. Of course they have different personalities some are friendlier than others. Also it's kind of strange for me that the feral cats can sleep in the daytime because it's somewhat noisy and there's birds flying around chirping and well of course it's bright and sunny. But I guess they find places to hide and sleep. I like cats a lot actually probably more than people. Especially the people that I've seen throwing stuff at the cats around here. Leave a Reply. |