FERAL CATS & TNR
A feral cat is a free roaming, unowned and unsocialized domestic cat. A stray cat (or alley cat) is distinguished from a feral in that while unowned, it still exhibits temperament similar to that of a pet. In popular usage, both terms are sometimes used interchangeably. Feral cats may be descendants of abandoned, lost or escaped pets that have reverted to a wild state. They should not be confused with wildcats, who are not domestic animals.
In Australia the term feral cat refers to cats living and breeding entirely in the wild. Significant populations of wildlife in Australia, including marsupials, reptiles, and birds, poorly adapted to this efficient predator, have allowed the establishment of stable populations across most of the country.
Adult feral cats, that were never socialized with humans, can rarely be socialized. Feral kittens can sometimes be socialized to live with humans. The ideal time for capture is between six and eight weeks old. Taming at this age may only take a couple of days. Older kittens can be tamed - but it takes longer. Also, an older kitten may only bond with the person working with them, which can make adoption difficult, but not impossible.
Feral cats may live alone but are usually found in large groups called feral colonies. The average life span of a feral cat that survives beyond kittenhood is usually cited as being less than two years,[1] while a domestic housecat lives an average of 12 to 16 years. However, feral cats aged 19 (Cat Action Trust) and 26 (Cats Protection) have been reported where food and shelter are available.
Cities and North America are not native environments for cats. The domestic cat comes from temperate or hot, dry climates and was distributed throughout the world by humans. Cats are extremely adaptable, and feral felines have been found in conditions of extreme cold and heat. They are more susceptible to cold, damp conditions than to cold alone. In addition, they are vulnerable to predators such as dogs and coyotes.
TNR
Trap-Neuter-Return is the humane, community-based method of controlling, and eventually reducing, the number of wild, homeless, stray and “feral” cats. The overall population of free-roaming, “unowned” cats includes all of these categories. See Feral Cats. [Link to Michelle’s current page by this title].
TNR is a vast subject, encompassing such diverse issues as law, environmental protection, public policy, volunteerism, non-profit enterprises, and the humane treatment of animals. It is also a complicated one, requiring attention to pubic relations, governmental interaction, trapping and transport, veterinary medicine, colony behavior and colony management, among others. Given the foregoing, much about TNR has been written, and many programs have been launched nationwide to explain, promote and practice TNR. To learn more about TNR, and how to start your own TNR program, please see Library and Links.
TNR in Los Angeles
One of the founders of FixNation, Mark Dodge, has been very active for years in leading an effort to change L.A. City Ordinances so that TNR can officially become “the law of the land.” In 2005, Mark drafted for the Department of Animal Services a policy statement that was then adopted by the Los Angeles Animal Services Commission:
The City of Los Angeles finds that (i) a large population of wild, homeless and stray (feral) cats resides in the City of Los Angeles, (ii) that the interests of humane treatment of animals, public safety and preservation of natural habitats dictates that no cat should live permanently outside of a domestic home, (iii) that it is impractical, inhumane and not cost-effective to attempt to exterminate such populations, (iv) that there exists in the city a large number of individuals and organizations implementing the practice known as Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), where feral cats are humanely trapped, then sterilized and vaccinated, then returned to their colony and cared for until the end of their natural life, and (v) that such practice is the most effective way to address this problem and to achieve, in time, the goal of No More Homeless Cats. Based upon these findings, the City of Los Angeles does hereby declare that TNR is deemed to be the preferred method of dealing with feral cat populations as its official policy.
Since then, Mark has remained in active collaboration with officials of the Department of Animal Services, the office of the City Attorney, and the Mayor’s Office, to implement this policy, which has been slowed due to environmental impact concerns. Measured progress, however, is being made, and we hope to be in a position to report more on this initiative soon.
Library and Links
FixNation wishes to acknowledge a number of truly excellent organizations which have developed impressive TNR programs, and accumulated massive amounts of easily-accessed reference material on their web sites. These organizations, and their sites, are an excellent way for anyone to learn how to get started and all there is to know about TNR:
Additional notable TNR information:
Animal Ethical Issues:
Best Friends Animal Society – Largest no-kill shelter in the US and premier educational and public awareness organization in the humane sector. |
|
|
|
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals – International organization – extremely rich and comprehensive site |
|
|
|
Animal Legal Defense Fund – Leading organization in the area of combating animal abuse and exploitation |
|
|
|
Maddie’s Fund – The Pet Rescue Foundation – see in particular Grant Guidelines |
|
|
|
General reference site on homeless pet issues |
Selected Articles
California Department of Fish and Game
Should Feral Cats Be Euthanized?
Article by Rhonda Lucas Donald
Adapted from the May, 1992 issue of Shelter Sense
Cat Fanciers
A Report on Trap/Alter/Release Programs
Article by Karen Johnson, National Pet Alliance
See Web Site for additional references and content
The Pet Center
Cats and Wildlife...A Conservation Dilemma
Article by John S. Coleman, Stanley A. Temple and Scott R. Craven
Exn.ca
Felines gone wild: feral cats
Web site content – see additional pages re. general cat information
Study Finds Health Benefits to Owning Cats
Article by Maura Lerner, Minneapolis Star Tribune, 2/21/08
