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The Problem of Stray and Feral Cats
By Christina Mulberry
Cats are now the most popular pet in the US. We love their small size, generally quiet demeanor, cleanliness,and the fact that they are relatively low maintenance and inexpensive to keep. Certainly, many cats are affectionate and can provide good companionship as well. But there is a growing problem with cats which needs to be addressed. The problem is that of feral, stray, and abandoned felines. A feral cat is one that is born and lives it's life outside of close contact with humans and is therefore best considered a "wild animal". A stray or abandoned cat is generally born and raised in close contact with people. These animals were once considered pets and are therefore "domesticated". The problem which both feral and stray cats bring to us is that of potential disease, injury, and at the least, nuisance. Cats left to fend for themselves are more agressive, unable to ward off infection and disease, and can be loud or pose a threat to small animals. The average lifespan of a stray or feral cat is said to be as short as three years. Clearly, these animals are suffering as well as posing a degree of threat to the communities where they live. The problem of stray and feral cats continues to rise, and recent estimates indicate that there may be as many as 70 million or more of them wandering the country. The primary cause of this increasing population is the lack of spay and neutering. For domesticated pets, the two primary precautions owners should take are to spay or neuter their cat and to identify it so that when lost it can be recaptured and returned. Microchips are sometimes used as are quick release collars, but tatooing is another option that works well. For feral cats, many experts recommend trap-neuter-release programs. Catching a feral cat and turning it into a shelter often isn't the best option because feral cats can be difficult to domesticate and many people wouldn't wish to adopt one. By neutering the cat and returning it to it's "home", it's allowed freedom without the possibility of perpetuating the problem.
Special trap cages are available to make the task of capturing a feral cat simple. Feeding a feral cat may help it survive but by making use of a local TNR program, you also help the entire community and prevent the suffering of future kittens. Anyone interested in more information can visit the link below.
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Abandoned Kittens
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This intel was contributed by mulberry
mulberry
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May, 2012
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