Feral or Stray?
A feral cat is a wild-raised, unsocialized, unowned, free-roaming cat that has adapted to feral life.†
A stray cat is someone’s pet who has been abandoned or who has strayed from home and has become lost.†
Stray cats are usually tame and comfortable around people. They will often try to make a home near humans (i.e. garages, front porches or backyards). Most are completely reliant on humans as a food source and are not yet able to cope with life on the streets. They can also usually be re-socialized and adopted. While some feral cats tolerate a bit of human contact, most are too fearful and wild to be handled. Ferals often live in groups, called colonies, and take refuge wherever they can find food. They will also try to seek out abandoned buildings, deserted cars for shelter. Feral cats cannot be adopted!
Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR)
Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) is an effective and humane way to stabilize feral cat populations. Cats are humanely trapped and taken to a veterinarian, where they are neutered and vaccinated.† Cats that have undergone the procedure are eartipped (while under anesthesia, a small portion of the left ear is painlessly removed for identification). If healthy, the cats are then released back to their colony site, where they are often provided continuing care by volunteers. This also provides an avenue for rescuing homeless cats that are adoptable, as friendly cats and kittens are placed up for adoption.
TNR helps the community by stabilizing the population of the feral colony and, over time, reducing it. At the same time, nuisance behaviors such as spraying, loud noise and fighting are largely eliminated and no more kittens are born. In addition, TNR also helps the community's animal welfare resources by reducing the number of kittens that would end up in their shelters, creating more space for the cats and kittens who come to them from other avenues.
Fact or Fiction?
There are many assumptions made regarding feral cats; some true, and some false. 
- Feral… stray… same thing. Strays can usually be adopted; feral cats cannot. When pet cats are forced to fend for themselves outdoors, huge numbers die from exposure or accidents. The survivors often turn feral and, if they have not been sterilized, give birth to feral kittens.
- Feral cats lead short, horrific lives; therefore, they should all be euthanized. Studies show that feral cats have about the same lifespan as pet cats. It is not humane to kill a healthy feral cat, and does not reduce their populations over the long-term. This method of eradication actually causes the vacuum effect. Learn more about the vacuum effect.
- Feral cats are diseased and can make my pets/children sick. Feral cats are generally healthy. The incidence of disease in feral cat colonies is no higher than among owned felines. They also often shun human contact, so aren’t interested in interacting with us.†
- Feral cats are predators that destroy local wildlife. Research indicates that the overwhelming cause of wildlife depletion is destruction of natural habitat due to man-made structures, chemical pollution, pesticides, and drought- not feral cats! †
- TNR doesn’t solve the complaints I have regarding the feral cats because they’re still here. When feral cats are trapped, neutered and returned to their territory, they no longer reproduce. The cessation of sexual activity eliminates the noise associated with mating behavior and dramatically reduces fighting. Neutered feral cats also roam more infrequently and become less visible and less prone to injury from cars. Foul odors are greatly reduced because neutered male cats no longer produce testosterone which, when they are unaltered, mixes with their urine and causes the strong, pungent smell of their spraying. When the colony is then monitored by a caretaker who removes and/or TNRs any newly arrived cats, the population stabilizes and gradually declines over time. Learn more solutions to cat-related issues.
- Feral cats should be taken to animal shelters so they can be adopted! Feral cats are not pet cats and will be killed at most shelters as they are considered dangerous. They make up a large percentage of the 4-6 million cats euthanized yearly by U.S. animal shelters.* Even no-kill shelters are not able to place feral cats in homes. †
- Feral kittens can be adopted. Feral kittens can often be adopted into homes, but they must be socialized at an early age. There is a critical window, and if they aren’t handled in time, they will remain feral and therefore unadoptable. Learn more about kittens and socialization.
- You can tame a feral cat. Adult feral cats are not like strays. They usually cannot be socialized and are most content living outside. On the other hand, feral kittens up to 10 weeks of age can often be tamed and placed in homes. When cared for, feral cats are happier outdoors in their own territory as they have their own hierarchies and are able to exhibit their natural behaviors. There is very little success in adopting a truly feral cat.
- I don’t know how to trap, so someone else needs to do it . You can easily learn to trap! With a few simple guidelines and instructions, anyone can successfully become a TNR person! We have simple instructions already prepared for you! Download our TNR guidelines.
- This is such a big problem, I’m only one person and can’t possibly help. Helping feral cats can be very rewarding. First, you may want to look for an existing feral cat group or individuals who are practicing TNR in your area to help you learn the ropes. If there one or more feral cats in your area that does not have a caretaker, you can become their caretaker. Feral cat caretakers practice Trap-Neuter-Return, feed, provide shelter, monitor the cats for any problems, trap new cats who arrive. If the new cats are feral, they are TNRed; if they are kittens young enough to be socialized or tame lost or abandoned pet cats, they are evaluated for adoption. † Learn more about how you can help feral colonies in your community.
Where can I get a trap?
A basic box trap is a painless and humane method of safely capturing cats. Regardless of the level of socialization, do not attempt to pick up a cat to put her in a carrier. Use a humane box trap or drop trap to ensure the safety of the cats and you. (Never use darts or tranquilizers to attempt to catch a cat. These methods are dangerous and stressful to the cats.) †
- Equipment list
- Heart of the Earth
- You may wish to contact your local rescue and shelter organizations to inquire if they loan/rent live traps.
- ART uses live traps on a regular basis. You may wish to contact us to inquire if they have one available for you to borrow. In addition, we will also give you hands-on instruction! If you’d like to accompany one of our experts on a trapping excursion, please view our training calendar.
What about the expense?
Many local clinics offer “feral packages” at a low-cost!
For more information on low-cost spay/neuter/vaccination services, please visit: http://www.artanimals.org/lowcostspayneuter.html
Suggestions on how to obtain finances for surgery: http://www.bestfriends.org/nomorehomelesspets/pdf/fundraisingforferals.pdf
Resources
Alley Cat Allies is a fantastic resource for feral cats and their caretakers. Their website offers step-by-step guidelines for trapping, tracking a colony, and caring for cats. They also have a fantastic resource of handouts, posters, and door hangers that you can use to garner help and support for your efforts for our feral friends! Many of these can be printed right from your computer, or ordered at a reasonable price for professional quality publications.
Best Friends Animal Society also has created an easy-to-follow informative guide that outlines cat/kitten care, community response, trapping, FAQ, and solutions to commonly encountered problems. You may access this handout online at: http://www.bestfriends.org/nomorehomelesspets/pdf/feralcatcompassion.pdf.
If you would like more information about local feral colonies and TNR efforts, please feel free to contact us at spayneuter@ARTanimals.org. You may speak with our TNR chairperson for specified assistance at: 757-373-1410.
In addition, Cat Rescue, Inc. is a fantastic regional resource for all things feline affiliated. You may find more TNR information on their website at: http://www.catrescueinc.org/info/display?PageID=2902.
Other sites we recommend for more information about feral cats, TNR and its importance:
*Statistics provided by the ASPCA. For more information regarding their estimations, please visit: http://www.aspca.org
†Definitions and content adapted from Alley Cat Allies. For more information, please visit: http://www.alleycat.org
