This may be a topic that many people aren’t used to. But, it needs to be said. Feral cats are more of a threat to the ecosystem than nearly any other animal. That’s why today our topic is feral cat control, and things you can do to help curb the population of these fuzzy terrors.
Feral Cat Control: How can you control feral cat populations?
To start off, I’ll be blunt. It’s not easy. Feral cats can survive in climates like deserts, in regions up nar antartica, and everywhere else you can find people.
Like other wild animals, they seek food and shelter wherever they can find it. Catching feral cats in traps and removing them is the most effective method of control, but eliminating their food and shelter will help in getting rid of them, too. Killing them by poisoning, shooting, or inhumane trapping is illegal in most places.
Feral cats are simply creatures that were once domestic pets but have turned wild or are the offspring of such. When pet cats become lost or are abandoned by their owners, they revert to this wild state in order to survive. Some experts estimate that there are 100 million feral cats in the United States.
Now, to begin with. Make sure that the cat you see is in fact feral, and not somebody’s pet. Look for a collar on the cat, and contact the owner if you see a collar on them. If the cat owner claims that he’s just an “outdoor cat”, be aware that there are many places that it’s not only not ethical to have an outdoor cat, but it’s also illegal.
What if it’s actually feral?
Once again, if this cat is people-friendly and is clearly a lost pet, do your best to see that they’re taken care of and returned to their owner. But, a stray-owned cat is much different than a wild, feral cat.
To begin, feral cats are oddly enough less ragged-looking than stray, lost cats. Stray cats can look skinny and unkempt, which is because of their inexperience when it comes to living in the wild. They have a difficult time scavenging for food and are rejected by feral cat colonies and often attacked. Feral cats are the opposite. Ferals are masters of their domain, which is what makes them so difficult to deal with.
Feral cats will never approach a human. They are tremendously cautious around people, and will even avoid eye contact most times. Stray cats are the opposite. They tend to exhibit open behavior towards humans. These cats will approach and even show affection to humans. To a stray, a human is a familiar sight and one that they know is a source of food. That’s why you’ll see them carry their tail upright as they walk, which indicates an openness to be approached in cat language. Strays also walk with more of an upright stance. Remember, one of the first steps of feral cat control is seeing whether or not the cat is actually feral.
Feral Cat Control: BE CAREFUL!
Just so you know, any time you approach a feral cat you’re risking a bite or a scratch. The bottom line when dealing with any animal that is unfamiliar to you is to be cautious. This is the case whether you’re dealing with a feral or stray cat.
Be alert to the body language of the cat and respond to clues that the animal is becoming overly stressed and fearful, or even hostile. As domesticated cats, both feral and stray cats are likely to respond in similar ways when feeling fear. Be alert for some telltale signs of aggression. Thankfully, cats are pretty easy to read. Look out for hissing, narrowed eyes, ears held back, a bristled tail, and hair standing on end along its back.
Where do feral cats live?
Okay, you’ve seen some feral cats around your home and established that they ARE feral. Here are some places you can find them. For one, they can be found near people. Anywhere humans live can be a feral cat ecosystem. They don’t like to be near enough for you to touch them, but if someone on your block feeds them they will flock to that home nightly.
Small animal populations attract feral cats as well. Areas with large populations of small rodents such as squirrels and chipmunks are attractive. Songbirds, game birds, and poultry also present good food sources. Dumpsters are another feral cat hot spot. Garbage cans and dumpsters attract them because they present an easy and reliable food source. Not only garbage but also rodents that come for the garbage.
Outside of that, anything that gives them shelter is a possibility for them. Like I said above, feral cats are survivors before anything, and can live in situations that you would find shocking.
Feral Cat Control: Conclusion
Feral cats are a huge problem. Not only do they destroy natural ecosystems, but they get around, and their constant presence can be annoying, not to mention dangerous. Especially when children and pets are present, roaming can be a big worry. When it comes down to it, there’s not a lot that you can do personally to curb a feral cat colony. Many cities rely on average people to help keep them informed, though. For example, there are places now that do catch and release programs where they neuter and then free the captured feral cats. These cats will defend their territory and keep in-tact ferals out and thus keep the population at a more manageable level.
But if the cats are in your own yard or on your property, you probably want to call someone involved in animal control. A feral cat will defend itself if it must and will claw and bite you. Poison and inhumane traps are also illegal. Not to mention, a dead cat will probably be a bigger problem for you than a live one was, especially if it gets stuck somewhere under your house or in an attic or basement. Leave this to the pros.
