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Spay/Neuter Program

Feral Cats

About Ferals

  • What is a Feral Cat?
    • A feral cat is either a cat who has lived his whole life with little or no human contact and is not socialized, or is a stray cat who was lost or abandoned and has lived away from human contact long enough to revert to a wild state. Feral cats avoid human contact and cannot be touched by strangers.
  • Is “feral cat” another term for “stray cat”? What is the difference between a stray cat and a feral cat?
    • “Feral” is not another word for “stray”. A stray cat is a domestic cat who has been abandoned or has strayed from home and become lost. A stray cat may be skittish in your presence, but because stray cats once knew human companionship, they can usually be re-socialized and re-homed. Adult feral cats usually cannot be socialized and are most content living outside. Feral kittens up to eight or ten weeks of age, on the other hand, can often be tamed and placed in homes.
  • How can I tell if a cat is stray or feral?
    • Observe the cat’s appearance and behavior. A stray cat is likely to approach you, although usually not close enough for you to touch him. If you put food down, a stray cat will likely start to eat it right away. A stray cat is often vocal, sometimes talking insistently, and may look disheveled, as if unaccustomed to dealing with conditions on the street. A stray cat may be seen at all hours of the day. A feral cat is silent, will not approach humans, and generally will be seen only from dusk to dawn, unless extraordinarily hungry and foraging for food. A feral cat has adapted to conditions and is likely to be well groomed. If you put down for a feral cat, he will wait until you move away from the area before approaching the food.
  • I would like to find good homes for the feral cats I have been feeding. Is this possible?
    • Generally, no. Adult feral cats usually cannot be socialized and will not adjust to living indoors. A great deal of time and effort can go into attempting to tame an adult feral cat, with no assurance of success. This time and effort is far better spent sterilizing feral cats to break the cycle of reproduction. Stray cats and kittens up to eight or ten weeks of age can usually be socialized and placed in homes.

What Is Ear-Tipping and Why Is It Important?

Example of Feline Ear Tipping

Ear-tipping is a widely accepted means of marking a community cat who has been spayed or neutered. It also often identifies them as being part of a colony with a caretaker. Ear-tipping is the humane, safe surgical removal of the top quarter-inch of the left ear. The procedure is performed by a licensed veterinarian, typically during the spay/neuter surgery and rarely requires aftercare. Ear-tipping prevents an already-spayed or neutered cat the stress of re-trapping and unnecessary surgery.

Emergency Care

We provide up to $200 for true emergency care for your domesticated pets.

Spay/Neuter

We provide spay/neuter vouchers for domesticated animals for households that make less than $45,000/year. The voucher fee is $30 per cat and $50 per dog.

Havahart Traps

We loan Havahart traps. A $50 deposit is required. The entire amount will be refunded upon return of the trap in good condition.