Frequently Asked Questions about Feral Cats
I have a problem with cats in my neighborhood.
I’m not sure if they’re stray or pet cats.
How do I tell?
Understanding the differences between a feral, stray and pet cat will
help you determine the cat’s classification. There are three types of
roaming cats:
A feral cat is one that has “gone wild,” a domestic cat that was
lost or abandoned and has reverted to a wild state, or a cat that was
born outside to a stray mother and had little or no human contact. Adult
feral cats usually cannot be tamed and are not suited to living indoors
with people. They live outside in family groups called colonies that
form near a source of food and shelter. Feral cats can survive almost
anywhere and are found worldwide.
A stray cat is a domestic cat that strayed from home and became
lost or was abandoned. Depending on the circumstances and how long the
cat has been on its’ own, he or she could be feral or quite social.
Since a stray cat was once a companion animal, if they are feral, he or
she can usually be re-socialized and placed in an adoptive home. All
cats roaming at large are strays if you do not know who the owner is.
A pet cat is an owned cat that is permitted to roam the
neighborhood. By law, owned cats must be sterilized and remain on the
owner’s property. Pet cats are usually lovable and can be touched by
most people. If you know who the owner is, the cat is not a stray.
Generally, neighborhood problems revolve around a person feeding cats
that continue to breed and produce kittens, ultimately forming a colony
of free-roaming cats.
What is the LA/SPCA’s policy on ferals and strays?
Any cat coming into the shelter, other than a cat being surrendered by
its’ owner, is considered a stray and is handled as such. When a stray
is brought to the shelter it remains at the shelter for a minimum of
five days, as mandated by law. This “stray period” allows the owner of a
missing pet time to search the shelter and find him or her. If the cat
is not redeemed within this window, the decision is made as to whether
the cat will be placed up for adoption or humanely euthanized.
The exception to this would be in dealing with feral cats and a strategy
called Trap-Neuter-Return. TNR is a non-lethal form of animal control
that proactively addresses the overpopulation of cats through
sterilization. The goal of TNR, a comprehensive, ongoing program, in
which feral cats already living outdoors are humanely trapped,
evaluated, vaccinated, and sterilized by veterinarians, is to return the
cats to the area from which they were taken. The evaluation determines
whether these cats will be returned to their familiar habitat under the
lifelong care of volunteers, placed up for adoption, or, in the case of
cats that are ill or injured beyond recovery, humanely euthanized.
Why don’t you relocate feral cats to another area?
Feral cats grow up in an area they know along with cats with which
they’re familiar. When moving cats to a new location, they must be
carefully acclimated to the new smells, cats, and caretaker prior to
being released. If this step is skipped, the cats’ chances of survival
are slim. Relocation is time consuming and draws on a great deal of
resources of which the LA/SPCA does not have. Consequently, our efforts
are directed toward spaying and neutering as many animals as possible so
kittens are not born and euthanasia decreases over time.
Can I trap the cats myself?
Absolutely! There are many animal-loving citizens doing TNR through
their own veterinarians.
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You can purchase a trap at a local store such as
Jefferson Feed, Pet & Garden Center or directly from
Animal Care Equipment & Services, Inc. We recommend Tru-Catch
traps, model 30LTD. If you purchase a trap, it’s important that you
learn how to humanely use it as cats can easily die if left
unattended.
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You can rent a trap from the LA/SPCA Adoption
Office for $25, which will be
returned to you after you bring back the trap. You will pick up and
return the trap to the LA/SPCA. Call 368-5191, ext. 150, to
place your name on the waiting list.
Trapping Tips
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Trap in dry weather only; never in a rainstorm
or in freezing temperatures.
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Do not feed the cats a full 8 hours before
trapping as they must be hungry to enter the trap.
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If you’ll be trapping in an area where pet cats
are roaming, please inform your neighbors that you will be trapping.
Most cat owners do not think to contact the LA/SPCA when their cat
is missing.
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Transport the trapped cat to your participating
veterinarian, immediately upon its capture. Place a towel over the
trap so the cat feels secure; it reduces anxiety. Do NOT transport
the animal in the trunk of your vehicle. I
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Tuna and canned cat food work well in traps.
Place the food inside the release bar at the back of the trap so the
cat is sure to step on the trigger plate when eating.
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The trap should be monitored once an hour while
set. With the added stress, cats can easily die if left in the trap
for many hours. If you’re trapping overnight, the cat will be fine
until you wake up in the morning. Add a small bowl of water.
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Always place the trap in a shady spot unless it
is continually observed. Place the trap near the cat’s feeding
location.
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Once trapped, move the animal to a secure shaded
area until it is transported.
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You may accidentally trap the wrong animal such
as an opossum, squirrel, or previously trapped cat. If so, put on
heavy-duty gloves before approaching the trap so the frightened
animal does not bite you. You can then safely open the trap to
release the animal.
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