A feral cat is a cat that is not domesticated and has been living in the wild. Feral cats may be dangerous for humans and other domesticated pets, because they can carry a number of diseases, including rabies which can be fatal. Feral cats have an unpredictable behavior, and are prone to attacking people or pets and causing a lot of noise. There are a number of organizations that deal with the removal of such felines.
Feral Cat Dangers
Feral cats are often confused with stray cats. While stray cats have been domesticated and used to live with humans, feral cats have lived exclusively in the wild. They cause a number of problems such as:
- Some of them can carry diseases, such as rabies
- They make noise
- They fight domesticated felines, causing bites and nasty scratches
- May steal food from pets
Feral cats typically have a shorter lifespan than domesticated cats (3 to 5 years), as they are exposed to various diseases and accidents.
Feral Cat Removal
There are a few organizations that catch feral cats and offer them a shelter for a period of time. However, feral cats are not used to being held indoors and will do anything to escape, so many end up back on the streets. The feral cats that remain in the shelter are put for adoption, but many times, they are not adopted by anyone and are instead put to sleep. Some organizations put the ferals to sleep as soon as they find them, without offering the cats a chance to be adopted.
Other Methods to Reduce Feral Cat Problems
The removal of feral cats through euthanasia is considered inhumane by some, and may not be the best solution to deal with the problem of feral cats.
The feral cats are difficult to domesticate and even more difficult to be adopted, because many people fear that adopting a feral will create additional problems. However, there are numerous humane societies that offer support to owners that adopt feral cats, facilitating the cat's adaptation into the new home.
The problem with feral cats is that they carry a number of infections and diseases that may be transmitted and they also reproduce, giving birth to new feral kittens. Theoretically, the problem may be solved by vaccinating these cats and making sure they are not ill or carrying other infectious agents. Most importantly, the feral cats will have to be neutered, so that they won't reproduce. After these procedures, the feral cats can be released back into their original environment.
If more feral cats were be vaccinated and neutered, the number of ferals should drop drastically. However, this is highly unlikely, as many feral cats fear humans and will hide when humans are present.