Feral Cats
Cats are considered feral if they survive without the benefit of human intervention and care. They are not wild animals. They are still domestic cats forced to revert to as many instincts as they still have. Many die of starvation, infections, and getting hit by cars. They often live in abandoned buildings or lots. They are different from wild cats in that they have not evolved to live wild, they are still animals that humans created to live indoors and benefit from our companionship.
What is a Feral?
A feral cat is a cat that no longer directly relies on a human for care. Ferals often pick abandoned buildings or vacant lots to house their colonies. Ferals often come from people abandoning pets. The vast majority are abandoned pets. The problem is that many of those pets are joined by existing strays, and subsequently newer generations appear, even more terrified of humans. These animals are a direct result of pet overpopulation and human cruelty. Some humans are stepping up to alleviate the suffering.
Around the country there are people who manage feral cat colonies. In their own time they trap cats in their colony, have them neutered and given their shots, then release them back into the colony. Kittens that are adoptable are removed from the colony completely, as are cats with communicable diseases, such as FelLeu or FIV. The colony is also fed by this volunteer, and within a few years the colony would be empty, if humans stopped dumping cats. Thankfully, newly dumped cats (strays) in a feral colony can often be captured and put up for adoption as they have not yet become terrified of humans.
What everyone should know about Ferals
Ferals are rarely cats who ran away. These cats were often dumped by their owners and left to fend for themselves. These cats are normally not aggressive, or really a threat to anyone.
How to tell a Feral from a house pet
If you have trapped a cat, maybe there was one loose in your basement or some such, and you want to know if the cat is feral or perhaps has an owner the differences are easy to see. When you remove the cover from the cage, a feral will almost always try to get away from you, or act defensive. Normally they are terrified of you. A normal house cat will normally act fairly calm, and literally wait to be let out, as they are used to this strange human treatment. Some will even be friendly enough to purr or rub against the cage sides.
If the feral is loose, they will often flee much more violently than a house cat. A house cat might hurry away from you, but it will not normally knock things over in its haste, or move as fast as it is capable. Ferals will try anything to get as far away from people as they can.
Can Ferals be house pets?
Feral cats can become house cats once more. They need a lot of socialization and calm care though. Even with this care they might never be as calm or as demonstrative as a cat that has never experienced being feral.
What can I do?
Feral cats are not the most loved cats in the world. Most are skittish around people, and at best may let you in the room. Strays are cats that have been abandoned, but not yet turned feral. These cats can usually be rehabilitated without much trouble.
People looking to getting a cat should consider adopting a stray. They need the home, and though most are no longer kittens they are what a kitten will become anyway. You will also be helping with donations so that another cat can be rescued and given a second chance.
For those looking to take an active role, why not help out with a feral colony. Most people managing a colony need as much help as they can get, and would probably welcome the help.
