What is a feral cat?

by admin Email

Link: http://www.margsanimals.com

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THESE ARE TWO OF THE LAST THREE KITTENS, THIS IS OBOY, THE ORANGE ONE AND BEBOP THE BLACK ONE.

I know I write a lot about these feral cats, but I live with them every day and have had them here for almost nine years now. And I am excited to see that more and more places and cities are having the spay and neuter clinics to get these poor feral cats fixed. This is so much better than killing them all. Many places just kill them because supposedly they cause a lot of problems. There also are many organizations that are doing what they call Trap, Neuter, and Return. . They also are giving them their shots while they are spay and neutering them.

One of those organizations is the Beaufort Community Cat Project. The Beaufort Community Cat Project is an all-volunteer organization advocating non lethal methods to reduce the free-roaming cat population using Trap-Neuter-Return. And I am sure there are lots of other organizations that are working really hard to help this feral cat which is such a good thing.

A feral cat is really untamed domestic cats that are born in urban, suburban, or rural areas and basically anywhere that people reside. They should not be confused with wild cats, but they are cats that are not around humans and so do not trust them and so they act wild. I myself have tamed at least 10 feral cats and they all turned out entirely different. Some are very tame and some are still somewhat on the wild side.

Of course if you can get the kittens from these cats when they are very young, they are so much easier to tame. I took in four kittens that were found in the hood of a car where the mother had abandoned them, and they were only 4 weeks old and they have lived in my extra bedroom for almost six months now, and they are super cats. They are very sweet and nice cats now.

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THIS IS TABBY, THE THIRD FERAL KITTEN.

Another thing is that since they are born outside to a Momma kitty that is used to killing other animals to survive, unless of course she finds me, it is very hard for them to ever be inside. I didn’t get to touch the last three kittens until they were 5 months old, so they are still a little wild. They will let me pat them when I am feeding them and I can pick them up also while they are eating and that is how I got them to the spay and neuter clinic. But I don’t think they will ever be cuddly. I am just glad they are alive. And the biggest problem with the feral cats or kittens is finding them homes. But at least these can stay here as long as I can afford to feed them.


14 comments

Marg, what a wonderful surprise it was to read your post mentioning the Beaufort Community Cat Project!
I happen to think you are a one woman cat project yourself. You do so much for the homeless cats in your community. The world needs more people like you! Keep up the excellent work!
11/16/09 @ 20:27
I believe trap, spay/neuter, and release is the way to go. If the feral cats are just removed or relocated, I think other feral cats will just move in to take their place. Harley's mama was a feral cat.
11/17/09 @ 05:32
Comment from: Your Daily Cute [Visitor] · http://www.yourdailycute.com
What great things you are doing to help all these cats. We need more people like you. :)

And TNR all the way!
11/17/09 @ 22:24
Comment from: Vanessa (Walter's Mum) [Visitor] · http://waltersmum.blogspot.com
I'm glad that you've brought up this discussion. Feral cats can be a bit of a problem, and because of people with big hearts, like you, we can help stop the cycle. Trapping and neutering is a great way to help end the cycle, as well as administering at LEAST one vaccine will help to stop some of the ugly cat diseases that attack both feral and companion cats. I must say, some feral cats make the best companions in the end....
11/18/09 @ 01:08
Woof! Thanks for sharing a great educational information. I praise you for your good caring works. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar
11/18/09 @ 06:18
Comment from: Skitto & Peanut's Owner (Jodi) [Visitor] · http://fromkittenstocats.blogspot.com/
Oh my goodness, I can't believe how much OBOY looks like my Peanut, oh that is just too awesome. Such beautiful animals Marg. And thank you so much for being such a dedicated daily reader, even if it's notyhing you always stop by, that makes me feel so warm inside.

God bless,
Jodi (Skitto & Peanut's Owner)
11/19/09 @ 05:53
Comment from: Chris [Visitor] · http://blog.werelivingwell.com
it's wonderful what you are doing to help these poor creatures. My cat Gidget lived on her own until she was about 8 months old when she was found living in a dumpster, and although she is very cuddly and friendly to us, she still puts up a fight if we try to pick her up - on the other hand when she wants to lay in your lap, it goes on indefinitely until I have to get up to do something and she'll wrap her little paws around my neck and purr forever. We kid that she was about 5 minutes away from being totally feral when she was rescued. They really can be wonderful pets if found early enough. And the TNR program is a great program especially for those ferals that can't be domesticated enough to be adopted. Thanks for the information and good luck in your endeavors.
11/19/09 @ 07:46
Comment from: Fisher [Visitor] · http://ask-fisher.com
Hi Marg - you do such wonderful work for the kitties! Every little effort helps.
11/20/09 @ 06:21
Comment from: DogsDeserveFreedom [Visitor] · http://dogsdeservefreedom.blogspot.com
Hey Marg. Thanks for your comment. You've done good work with these kittens. It takes time. Good job.
11/20/09 @ 12:01
Comment from: Sniffie and the Florida Furkids [Visitor] · http://www.friendsfurevercatblog.blogspot.com
You're doing great work with these kittens. Oboy looks a little like Tamir when he was a kitten.

Sniffie and the Florida Furkids
11/20/09 @ 20:09
Comment from: Nathan [Visitor] · http://www.wild-facts.com
Marg,

Every post is always so informative and enligthtening! I love coming by here and reading your posts.

I just wanted to let you know that you have been presented with the Best Blog Award over at www.wild-facts.com.

Congratulations!
11/21/09 @ 14:22
Comment from: Your Daily Cute [Visitor] · http://www.yourdailycute.com
Thanks for stopping by earlier... The kitty cat sign language video is working now if you want to come see it. ;) Just tried it and it was fine for me! :)
11/22/09 @ 12:09
Comment from: grrreta [Visitor] Email · http://grrreta1.blogspot.com
You are wonderful for caring for feral cats. We have spayed and neutered and care for two adult feral cats and have tamed and found forever homes for two litters of kittens. It is is incredibly rewarding to make such a difference in the lives of such sweet creatures.
11/22/09 @ 21:23
Years ago there used to be a large family of feral cats that lived nearby. A lady took them into her barn and fed them. They were all black and white. They sadly kept breeding and breeding and many were so hungry that they would eat scraps of cake that had been put out for the birds. Really it would have been kinder to have had them neutered as when animals grow in numbers they require so many things: food, water, vet care ... and so on. Whenever anyone mentions feral cats ....... I just think of this particular family. I don't know what became of them but they have always remained in my thoughts.
11/22/09 @ 22:08

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