In a perfect world there would be no feral cats, at least as we know them. The term feral refers to the wild state or resembling a wild animal, especially after escape from captivity or domestication. Where are they? Everywhere there are domestic cats. Why are they there? People. Who is responsible? All of us. What can be done? A lot, but it takes a sense of responsibility and caring, to get cats spayed or neutered, to not abandon or turn them out, to adopt cats from shelters or rescue groups rather than buying from breeders, pet stores or strangers.
The fact that there are so many feral cats means this is not being done on a large enough scale. Cats are amazing examples of superior survival instinct and adaptability. They are very capable of surviving on their own. They are also prolific breeders.
Is has been said that there is no natural niche for feral cats and therefore they should not exist. But in reality, what is a natural niche? Do humans have a natural niche? These cats are here because of us, so what is natural?
Another fact is that the majority of these cats are still domestic and are actually tame with only circumstance to blame for the feral classification. But there are occasions in which cats are truly feral, usually after several generations on the streets. These cats will not allow handling, avoid human contact and will react like any wild animal if threatened. These are the cats that must be trapped, sedated, anesthetized, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, treated as needed, then released once they have recovered from anesthesia. They will not take to living in confinement, will never trust humans and cannot be tamed. This is considered truly feral.
These cats are best released to a well maintained, safe feral site, with responsible caretakers to provide food and water, to make sure all cats are altered, watch for new unaltered arrivals or injuries to the cats. Although considered solitary, cats do form social groups and colonies centered around a food source. And if left intact, they will breed. Once fixed, physical stresses from fighting, breeding and repeated pregnancies cease and these cats can live out their lives in better health.
Often, tame cats are found at these sites, those abandoned, turned out or lost. It is our goal to get these cats off the streets and into homes if possible. To give them a second chance. The problem is, there is often nowhere else for them to go and they are usually relegated to being put back out on the streets, since the only other alternative is death, part of the mass euthanasia of thousands of unwanted cats in shelters.
It is the goal of Orchard Animal Outreach to give these cats a chance, we try to take as many of these friendly cats off the streets and take in the hard to adopt cats from shelters as well as cats due for euthanasia due to time or space constraints. Unfortunately, we face many of the same problems as shelters, always in need of resources to provide such services. What would be a dream come true is an extremely generous donor with a soft spot for homeless cats, to provide us with a building to convert into a homeless shelter for the animals and the funds to continue our mission.
The fact that there are so many feral cats means this is not being done on a large enough scale. Cats are amazing examples of superior survival instinct and adaptability. They are very capable of surviving on their own. They are also prolific breeders.
Is has been said that there is no natural niche for feral cats and therefore they should not exist. But in reality, what is a natural niche? Do humans have a natural niche? These cats are here because of us, so what is natural?
Another fact is that the majority of these cats are still domestic and are actually tame with only circumstance to blame for the feral classification. But there are occasions in which cats are truly feral, usually after several generations on the streets. These cats will not allow handling, avoid human contact and will react like any wild animal if threatened. These are the cats that must be trapped, sedated, anesthetized, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, treated as needed, then released once they have recovered from anesthesia. They will not take to living in confinement, will never trust humans and cannot be tamed. This is considered truly feral.
These cats are best released to a well maintained, safe feral site, with responsible caretakers to provide food and water, to make sure all cats are altered, watch for new unaltered arrivals or injuries to the cats. Although considered solitary, cats do form social groups and colonies centered around a food source. And if left intact, they will breed. Once fixed, physical stresses from fighting, breeding and repeated pregnancies cease and these cats can live out their lives in better health.
Often, tame cats are found at these sites, those abandoned, turned out or lost. It is our goal to get these cats off the streets and into homes if possible. To give them a second chance. The problem is, there is often nowhere else for them to go and they are usually relegated to being put back out on the streets, since the only other alternative is death, part of the mass euthanasia of thousands of unwanted cats in shelters.
It is the goal of Orchard Animal Outreach to give these cats a chance, we try to take as many of these friendly cats off the streets and take in the hard to adopt cats from shelters as well as cats due for euthanasia due to time or space constraints. Unfortunately, we face many of the same problems as shelters, always in need of resources to provide such services. What would be a dream come true is an extremely generous donor with a soft spot for homeless cats, to provide us with a building to convert into a homeless shelter for the animals and the funds to continue our mission.
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