In my work with feral cats, I learned that there are varying degrees of "wildness." Most of the feral cats will not allow me to touch them, but I can come within millimeters to dispense their food. This approach indicates to the feral or stray cat that you are not threatening. Another helpful hint: If you do decide to become a caretaker, squat or sit on the ground so you're at their level when you regularly feed them. Through daily feedings, in time they will let you know if it's acceptable to touch them. Let the feral or stray cat come closer to you on his/her terms. These cats are fearful of people and tend to run away as strangers approach them. If you decide to become a caretaker, an important lesson is to never forcefully grab an outdoor cat or make a sudden movement towards it. With regular care, which includes reliable shelter and daily feedings similar to the care of barnyard cats, they can live as long as ten years. Anyone Can Become a Caretaker for Stray Cats- How to Care For and Feed Feral and Stray Catsįeral cats have a rough life and live, on average, two years on their own. In lucky instances, the stray cat and its owner are happily reunited. When a regular caretaker notices a stray cat that is friendly, it is recommended to take the cat to a veterinarian to scan for a possible microchip. However, most stray cats remember that humans feed them and try to stay near homes, carports, and other areas where people concentrate. While they struggle to survive in their new outdoor environment, some strays become fearful of people, even adopting feral behaviors after a period of time, depending on their surroundings. What is the difference between the two? Well, a stray cat was once a pet cat, until it was either lost or was abandoned by its owner. Feral cats are born from other ferals or from stray cats. If you attempt to get too close or try to pet them, feral cats view your hand as a claw that will harm them and will hiss and/or run away. What is a Feral Cat?Ī feral cat is typically born in the wild or outdoors with little to no human interaction. Learning the facts can help overturn the myths and stop the overpopulation and mistreatment of homeless cats. Whether you spot them in your backyard, around your office park, or while traveling abroad, misconceptions still prevail worldwide about stray and feral cat. These outdoor animals are often misunderstood. Chances are that you will come across stray and feral cats in your lifetime.
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