What Are Feral Cats?

by Jenn Smith October 16, 2019

Feral cats, also known as community cats, are those that are homeless, un-owned, and have been born and raised in the wild.

There are an estimated 1.2 to 4 million homeless cats in Canada. Feral cats cannot enter inside homes, nor can they go to humane societies or cat shelters for possible adoption. Because of their poor temperament, social skills and behavior, they are not suitable to be around children or other companion animals. As such, feral cats have a higher risk of being euthanized.

The best way to reduce the homeless cat population is to implement a TNR Program. TNR stands for Trap-Neuter-Release and involves action from cat enthusiasts and help from local animal shelters and pet clinics.

Ask a local animal shelter for guidance as well as clinics. Ask if clinics will need weight and age requirements of the cats to spay/neuter them. Then, get volunteers to help with trapping animals. Capture animals with humane box traps or drop traps containing bait. This step usually occurs in the evening when cats are out-and-about.How to start a TNR Program

Remember, feral cats will not approach humans and will not eat in front of them until they are left alone.

Volunteers will need to offer community cats fresh water and food and shelter them inside a trap or cat enclosure for before and after the surgery. Once surgery is done, and the cats are healed, volunteers will need to bring the cats back to where they were captured and set free.

Feral Cat Day is on October 16, 2019. Reduce the homeless cat population now by getting involved in a TNR Program.