| Many people feel that feral cats cannot be kept | | | | humans very much they may be fearful of |
| indoors as pets. This is not true. In fact, feral cats | | | | approaching your house once they are outside |
| are happy being kept as indoor only pets if you | | | | and they may get lost. In general, they are very |
| don't attempt to treat them exactly like tame | | | | fearful of any humans other than the human |
| cats. | | | | caretakers that they have grown to trust. |
| What are Feral Cats? | | | | I have four feral cats that have lived with me for |
| Feral cats are cats that haven't been properly | | | | about 2 years now and they have been very |
| socialized. What this means behaviorally is that | | | | happy indoors. Three were caught when they |
| feral cats are not tame toward humans. Very | | | | were 10 weeks old and the fourth cat was |
| often, feral cats result from the offspring of cats | | | | caught when she was 12 weeks old. |
| that were once owned and then abandoned. As a | | | | For the first few weeks after I brought them in |
| result, the kittens are not properly socialized to | | | | the house, all of the kittens used to hiss when I |
| humans and become feral. | | | | walked by them. Eventually they came to trust |
| There is a critical period during kitten development | | | | me and stopped hissing when they saw me. In |
| in which kittens must be exposed to human | | | | fact, now they greet me at the door after work. |
| caretakers, otherwise they will be feral or at least | | | | When I wake up in the morning they come up on |
| semi-feral. This critical developmental period is | | | | the bed to greet me the very first thing. They |
| generally from birth to 8 weeks old. If the first | | | | love playing with toys and with each other. They |
| human exposure occurs past the age of 8 weeks | | | | are still semi-feral, but there is nothing more |
| this usually results in a feral or semi-feral cat. | | | | rewarding than seeing how happy they are and |
| Sometimes older feral kittens can be tamed | | | | knowing that they are indoors where it is warm |
| toward one or two human caretakers. | | | | and safe. |
| What to do if You Find a Feral Cat or Kitten | | | | However, they aren't exactly like other cats. For |
| Many well meaning cat lovers will find feral kittens | | | | the most part you can't pick them up. One of the |
| and take them to their local animal shelter. | | | | kittens lets me pick her up and kiss her on top of |
| Unfortunately, feral kittens aren't very adoptable | | | | her little head, but the other kittens don't allow it |
| and most of the time animal shelters will destroy | | | | (Actually, they are no longer kittens, but they still |
| the feral kittens to make room for tame kittens | | | | seem like babies to me). However, they do like to |
| that are more likely to be adopted. | | | | play toys with me, and except for one of them, |
| Fortunately, there are some shelters that will | | | | they do like to be petted and to have their fur |
| spay or neuter the kittens and then return the | | | | brushed. |
| kittens to their natural environment. This at least | | | | Feral cats and kittens would not make good pets |
| gives the feral cat a chance to live without the | | | | for children. Basically feral cats that live indoors |
| ability of producing more feral cats. This program | | | | with humans like to do their own thing most of |
| is called Trap-Neuter-Return, and it is being | | | | the time. They don't want to be held and will |
| implemented in many areas to control the | | | | usually only let you pet them on a limited basis. |
| outdoor cat population without having to kill the | | | | Because of this they are likely to scratch a child |
| cats. It generally works like this: The kittens are | | | | that attempts to have more contact with them |
| caught in a humane trap, such as Havahart live | | | | than the cat wants. The key to making a feral |
| animal traps. The animal is unharmed. Then the | | | | cat happy is to only have as much contact with |
| cat is taken to the vet or the shelter that | | | | the cat as it wants. |
| participates in Trap-Neuter-Return and the animal | | | | Also, you need to give the shy ones extra space |
| is spayed or neutered and is usually given some | | | | when they are using the litter or eating. |
| vaccines. When the cat has recovered from the | | | | Sometimes it is best to keep their litter and food |
| spay or neuter surgery the cat is returned | | | | bowls in low human traffic areas so that they can |
| outdoors in the same location where it was found. | | | | feel safe while eating or using the litter box. |
| Trap-Neuter-Return is a much more humane way | | | | Vet trips can be difficult because they don't |
| of dealing with feral cats and kittens than | | | | always allow you to pick them up to put them |
| euthanasia. | | | | into the pet carrier. However, there are ways to |
| Feral Kittens Can Also Make Very Rewarding Pets | | | | do it. Sometimes you can throw their favorite toy |
| Some people who find feral kittens take them | | | | into the carrier and they will run in to get it and |
| into their homes as pets. This can be a very | | | | then all you have to do is shut the cat carrier |
| rewarding experience as you gain the trust of | | | | door. |
| these special cats. It is also the best option for | | | | Feral cats are well worth the extra work and |
| the well-being of the feral cat or kitten. Taking | | | | they are the best pets ever! Also, because they |
| them into your home as a pet is even better | | | | only want limited contact with humans you |
| than Trap-Neuter-Return programs. Taking them | | | | generally don't have to worry about them walking |
| in as pets generally works best if you catch them | | | | on your keyboard while you are typing or laying |
| when they are relatively young. The younger the | | | | across you newspaper or book while you are |
| better, although some people have taken older | | | | reading. |
| feral cats into their homes as pets and they have | | | | In my opinion there is nothing more rewarding |
| been fine. | | | | then gaining the trust of these cats, especially if |
| It is also best to take in two feral kittens or cats | | | | you don't mind taking their special needs into |
| from the same litter if possible. If this isn't possible | | | | consideration. The reward comes in knowing that |
| it is best to have at least one other cat in the | | | | you are providing a loving, warm, happy home |
| household because feral kittens and cats really | | | | with plenty of food, water, toys, and veterinary |
| enjoy the company of other cats. | | | | care for these special cats. |
| Feral cats need to be kept as indoor only cats. | | | | For more information about feral cats and cat and |
| Cats sometimes behave differently once they get | | | | kitten information please visit About Cats Online. |
| outside. Because feral kittens and cats don't trust | | | | |