Feral Cats & Caretakers

Feral cats have no choice in the circumstances they find themselves in. They are alone and must fend for themselves and they continue to reproduce to form feral colonies. They face disease, starvation and slow death due to injury.

A feral (wild) cat will likely never be anyone’s domesticated pet unless they are trapped as a weened kitten. Even then, it is a long road to domestication. But well worth the time invested as I can attest, see example of my sweet Lub Muffin above.

Feral Caretakers are people who take on responsibility for the feral colonies in their area using the TNR method. Caretakers trap, neuter/spay and vaccinate each and every member of the colony and then return them to the colony. Feral Caretakers provide food, shelter and medical care for each member of the colony for the lifetime of each cat.

The worldwide TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) program is a humane way to deal with feral colonies in need. Each female can give birth multiple times per year with up to six kittens in each litter. Female cats can get pregnant as early as 4 months old – do the math, a community or neighborhood can be overridden with feral cats very fast. TNR benefits the cats substantially, there are no more kittens, healthier cats, less fighting resulting in less injuries. TNR also benefits the community, the colonies do not expand to unwieldy numbers.

Everyone wins!

Becoming a Feral Caretaker is one the most rewarding and challenging responsibity one can take on. But the results for the cats and the community is astounding.

See my Feral Friday post to see a successful result of the TNR program that has been accomplished by my Feral Caretaker friend Christine.

If you live in the North Texas Metroplex, there are two organizations I recommend, Feral Friends and Barn Cats, see more on these organizations below:

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Feral Friends Community Alliance – This organization will advise, loan traps, recommend local vets who will either not charge or give a discount on spaying and neutering.

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BarnCats – This organization provides homes for Feral Cats and Colonies who’s environment puts them danger – such as new construction in a colonies area, etc. This is an option for Feral Caretakers who have to move their colonies for safety reasons – they can be introduced to barns. It’s a win/win for the feral cats as well as the ranchers and farmers who need cats to keep the rodent and pest populations under control.

Source BarnCats: At Barn Cats, Inc., we have healthy, sterilized cats in desperate need of new outdoor homes.  These cats are feral (semi-wild) and need to live at a farm, horse stable, warehouse, plant nursery, or other suitable outdoor location.

Veterinarian care has been given (negative test for feline leukemia, sterilized, rabies shot, distemper shot, and exam).  No adoption fee will be assessed but we ask for a donation.  The property owners only responsibility will be to provide daily food/water, protection from the elements, and long-term vet care.  After a short period of secure confinement, the cats will accept your barn as their new home.

The cats will keep rodents away from grain and food storage areas…and when there are no rats or mice, any snakes go to your neighbors.  If you own or manage property and have permission for long-term placement of animals on the property, please call us!  We will assist you while the cats settle into their new home.