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.
- Are you willing/able to make a long term (lifetime) commitment to these cats?
- Do you have the financial means to commit to these cats? (Food, spay/neuter, medical attention, if necessary)
- Is this a safe place for a colony of cats to exist?
- If you are not the property owner, do you have permission from the property owner to feed/water and maintain
the cats on the premises? (Is the property owner aware of this long term commitment?)
- If you plan on moving in the future, are you prepared to find someone to take over the care of your colony?
(Are they aware of this long term commitment?)
- When you're on vacation, would you be able to find a substitute caretaker until you return?
If you can answer yes to all of the above questions, then set out the food and prepare for the next step in
Colony Management - spay/neuter.
If sustaining this colony is not an option for you, please see "When colony maintenance is not an option".
SPAY/NEUTER.
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:
- Information about our Services
- Humane Trapping Instructions
- Where to rent a trap
- How to make your vet appointment
- How to "tame" feral kittens
MAINTENANCE.
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.
FOOD:
What to Feed - Dry food is recommended for colony feeding because it can remain out all day and not spoil.
If you choose to feed wet food, do so in a separate plate or bowl rather than mixing it in with the dry food. Wet food
will spoil if not eaten, attract ants and other insects.
When to Feed - It is recommended that feeding take place first thing in the morning or during the day for the following reasons:
- The cats can eat all day
- Less chance for attracting wildlife to feeding station at night
- Safer for caretaker
How Much to Feed - One cup of dry food per cat in your colony is plenty. You should, if you are able to, monitor the
amount of food the cats leave behind to determine the proper portion. If the food is all gone (and it hasn't clearly been
eaten by wildlife), then you may want to increase the amount. If there is a substantial amount of food leftover, you should
decrease the amount.
WATER:
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.
THE SITE:
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.
FEEDING STATION:
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.
ANTS/BUGS:
Some ways to keep your food ant/bug free are as follows:
- Feed ONLY dry food - wet food attracts ants more readily
- Surround food bowls with a line of "food-grade" (no chemicals added) diatomaceous earth -
This will need to be reapplied after rain, but effectively keeps insects away.
- Apply cooking oil to the outside of the food bowl - Bugs and ants will not walk on oil.
- Place food bowls on a tray, cookie sheet, or plant tray with a 1" lip and fill container with water. -
Cats can get to food, but bugs can't.
THE HEALTHY COLONY CAT
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.
NEW CATS/KITTENS
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.
SAFETY
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.
- Feed during daylight hours
- Wear appropriate shoes
- Watch your footing
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Always use common sense
- Do not try to "touch" a feral or sick cat/kitten
- Do not try to "catch" a sick cat or feral kitten
- Park your car in safe/legal location
- Drive safely
Feral Cat Terminology
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.
WHEN COLONY MAINTENANCE IS NOT AN OPTION
If maintaining a colony is not an option, for whatever reason, you have two choices.
- "Relocate" the colony - Find the cats a new location to live - preferably in a rural setting where shelter is provided
and again, someone is available to act as caretaker.
Forgotten Felines can provide you with information on How to Relocate a Feral Cat Colony.
Email us now.
- Trap and remove - The cats would be taken to the animal shelter that serves your area. Here they would be humanely euthanized.
Rather than have them starve, or continue to breed, this IS the most humane course of action.
Keep in mind that removing the current cats may only open the territory to new cats and the process begins all over again.
Spaying/neutering and feeding is the BEST way to control a feral cat colony.
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.
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