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Suggested Guidelines forFeral Cat Colony Caretakers
Am I ready for this Responsibility?
They're hungry, they're breeding, they may be ill or injured. This is the scene that many people come upon BEFORE humans intervene in a feral cat "colony". A "colony" is the term used to describe a group of unowned, wild cats. Feeding is the first step in caring for feral cats, but certainly not the ONLY step and not even the most important step! Before supplying food to feral cats and/or kittens, you should consider the following questions.
If sustaining this colony is not an option for you, please see "When colony maintenance is not an option". As stated above, the FIRST step in caring for feral cats is food and water, but the most IMPORTANT step is the spaying and neutering of your colony. If food is provided, yet you neglect to follow through with the spaying and neutering you will double, triple and quadruple your cat population in no time at all. This will be an extra burden to you and the members of your colony, is not necessary, and brings kittens into a world of "wild living" and overpopulation. Forgotten Felines of Sonoma County assists the public in the spay/neuter of feral cats. Whether you'd like to do the trapping yourself or would like the assistance of FFSC, please contact us before you begin. We have the following information available for you:
Once all the cats in your colony have been altered, then you can settle into the last step of colony management, which is "maintenance". Below are the suggested guidelines for Feral Cat Colony Management. 
When to Feed - It is recommended that feeding take place first thing in the morning or during the day for the following reasons: Fresh water should be given each time fresh food is supplied. If water is gone when you visit the colony, increase the number of water bowls or get a bigger one. It is important that water is available at all times. It is extremely important to keep the feeding station neat and clean. This is vital, not only for the health of the cats, but also for keeping neighbors happy. Keep the food/water dishes clean by having two sets. One at the site, and another clean and available to replace the dirty ones. Unless there is a covered area where food/water bowls are kept, a feeding station is recommended to keep the food protected from birds and the weather. Feeding station plans can be provided by FFSC or downloaded from the Alley Cat Allies web site at www.alleycat.org. Feeding Stations should be kept clean and tidy for the same reasons as stated above. Some ways to keep your food ant/bug free are as follows:
The general health of the cats should be assessed at every opportunity. Note the condition of their eyes and fur. Eyes should be clear without discharge, coats should be clean. Unkempt fur can be a sign of disease and discharge from eyes could mean upper respiratory infections or a sign of more serious illnesses. At the first sign of injury or illness, contact your veterinarian and establish a plan of how to get care for the cat. Know who your regular/core colony members are versus occasional visitors from the neighborhood. If you have a "newcomer" to the colony, either contact Forgotten Felines for a Colony Report Form and we will assist OR trap yourself if you know how. All newcomers need to be trapped, tested, altered and then returned to the colony. This is a VERY important aspect to Colony Management. Although we tend to focus a great deal on the cats, it is equally important that you stay safe while performing your duties as a Colony Caretaker.
 Feral Cat - This is a domestic cat that has reverted to the "wild" state after being lost, abandoned, or born in the wild without ever having human contact. Feral cats live in family groups called colonies and can be found anywhere there is food. Feral cats can survive almost anywhere and are found all over the world. Feral Cat Caretaker - An individual who has taken on the responsibility for the health and well being of a colony of feral cats. The caretaker feeds and waters the cats, provides shelter, and is responsible for humanely trapping and taking the cats to a veterinarian for vaccination and sterilization. Managed Colony - A group of cats where all have been sterilized, vaccinated, provided food, water and shelter from inclement weather. The colony cats are healthier and no longer breed. The caretaker regularly monitors the colony and individual cats. Feral cats are dependent on the caretaker to enact this plan and provide long-term support. A properly managed colony is a healthy and stable colony in which no kittens are born. Stray Cat - A domestic cat that has been abandoned or has strayed from home and become lost. Once a companion animal, a stray cat can usually be successfully placed back into a home. Vacuum Effect - A situation arising when feral cats are removed from an environment. More cats will move in to take advantage of whatever meager food source is available and quickly fill this void. These new unsterilized cats will breed to the capacity of the site. If maintaining a colony is not an option, for whatever reason, you have two choices.
Forgotten Felines provides a list of the shelters that serve Sonoma County. Ignoring the colony and thinking that "they'll find food somewhere" or "someone else will fix the problem" is the easy way out. We applaud your compassion and courage to do the RIGHT thing. For further information, contact us by email or at 576-7999 #2. |