Basic differences:
Stray Cats:
- Once was socialized with people, now on their own;
- Will approach humans;
- Kittens can be tamed if under 12 weeks
Feral Cats:
- Not OK with people, not adoptable;
- Prolific: populations can grow exponentially, gather in groups;
Present community problems: yowling, spraying territories, dead kittens common, feces
Ineffective remedies for feral cat populations:
- Adoption [they can’t be tamed];
- Feeding bans [exacerbates community impact problems;
- leads to sick and angry populations];
- Trap and exterminate [too many, vacuum left in population quickly re-filled]
A Humane Solution: “TNRM”
- TRAP feral cats in cages that leave them unharmed
- NUTER them at the SPCAA, ear is clipped to identify caught cats
- RETURN them to the community
- MANAGE the population with feeding program.
Since feral cats live only about 3 years, the population will diminish