How to "Tame" Feral Cats

Feral cats are the offspring of lost or abandoned pet cats or other feral cats who are not spayed or neutered. They are wild. The word "tame" in the title is in quotes because ferals don't really tame. I rescued a feral cat 12 years ago and last month she finally decided I was her best friend. Up until then she only tolerated me.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Patience
• Gloves
• First Aid Kit with antibiotic salve
• a humane trap
• a towel to cover the trap
• smelly food
• an understanding vet, preferably one who works with ferals
• MORE patience

1. 
   cellar lineup

   Ferals live in colonies in abandoned buildings, junkyards, garages, basements--anywhere they can find a place out of the weather.
   
   The biggest hurdle is trust. Ferals have been chased, shot at, had bricks thrown at them--you name it. They are afraid of people.

2. 
   Ferals Feeding

   Put food where the cat can get to it safely. You should stay to make sure the cat eats, but stay back far enough that you are not threatening. Talking to the cats in a low voice might help them accept you. If you must move, move slowly. Put your cell phone on vibrate. Don't make any sudden moves or loud noises. Don't leave food dishes or cans out. They will attract rats and mice and perhaps spread disease. Pick them up and take them with you.

3. 
   Alleycat Allies logo

   Many times neighbors will object to your feeding the cat(s), because they think it will draw more of them. You should talk to the neighbors about what you are doing. I recommend talking to an organization that supports TNR (trap/neuter/return), such as Alley Cat Allies. They can give you information on feral cats and maybe even help you with getting the local cats spayed or neutered at a low cost or no cost to you. They can also give you brochures about feral cats to distribute. There are stores that have high volume cat and dog food sales and will sometimes give you food for your colony.

4. 
   http://www.mooseyscountrygarden.com/cats-dogs/trap-neuter-return.html

   Every couple of days move the food dish a little closer to you. Take your time. Let the cat you are interested in get to know you. Talk to it. Sit down near it if possible, but not too near.

5. 
   Big teeth!

   At this point you should wear gloves. When the cat starts to be used to you, you can let it sniff your hand. Just put your hand out and let the cat come to you. Don't grab at it. Move slowly.

6. 
   Cat bite

   Sometimes sooner, sometimes later, the cat may let you pet it. When it does, again move slowly and don't grab. Grabbing will scare the cat and will probably get you scratched or bitten. A cat bite can become infected, even if the cat lives inside its whole life.

7. 
   Havahart easyset trap

   After the cat allows you to pet it, you might be able to trap it in a cat carrier. A Hav-A-Hart trap is better and safer, tho. You might be able to borrow one from Alley Cat Allies or another organization, possibly even animal control. You need the carrier or trap because probably the cat has never been in a car, or if it has, it was probably abandoned from one. A carrier keeps both of you safe.

8. 
   Traumatized?

   So, now you have a traumatized cat on your hands. Take it to a vet. If you need to take it home overnight, keep it in the trap or carrier and isolate it from your other pets. Your new kitty certainly has fleas, and other problems. Fleas cause flea anemia, which will kill a cat. The fleas literally suck the life out of it. If you can get him to stand still for it, give him a bath. This probably won't be possible, tho. If you are going to try, REMEMBER THE GLOVES! All street cats have worms, as well.

9. 
   Feral Cat Spay Neuter Project

   If you live in an urban or suburban area, contact a local no-kill shelter or rescue group. They have vet contacts and may be able to get you to one that will cost you little or nothing, depending on your income.

10. 
    Marcus G. Brown, DVM Capitol Cat Clinic

    Street cats do need vaccinations. There are upper respiratory infections, possible heartworm, distemper, feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus, also called feline AIDS (FIV) (and NO, you can't catch these from the cat), and other things that can be transmitted to your other pets.

11. 
    Stop the Killing

    Rescue groups like Alley Cat Allies practice TNR (trap/neuter/return). They (or an affiliate) will humanely trap a colony of cats, have them spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and return them to the same location. If the colony is trappd and killed, other cats will replace them, and the problem of overpopulation is not solved. TNR stops the breeding of kittens and also leaves a colony in place to keep new cats from coming in and breeding.

12. If there are cats that have FIV or FeLV, they will be humanely euthanized, but at least they won't suffer the pain of dying from the illnes. The reason they are killed is that FIV or FeLV will spread like wildfire among street cats.

13. If you adopt or already have a cat with FIV or FeLV, you can give them a happy and healthy life. Other cats in the household should be kept away from the sick ones, however. Otherwise they might be infected. I know a woman who has 10 cats, all with feline aids. They will probably die earlier than a healthy cat, but in the meantime they are happy and loved.

Tips & Warnings

• Find out what the local laws are regarding feeding "strays." Sometimes they prohibit it.
• Get in touch with a local TNR or rescue organization
• Talk to the cat's neighbors before starting to feed if you can; if not, they will definitely get in touch with you.
• If someone else in the neighborhood is already feeding the cats, see if you can work with them
• In some places it is illegal to feed feral cats. Checking the laws out in your area is a good idea. If the towns and cities supported TNR (trap/neuter/return) there wouldn't be so much of a problem with ferals.
• Wear gloves!
• Have a first aid kit handy
• Isolate your new cat from your other pets
• Take the cat to a vet as soon as you can.
• If you are bitten or scratched, even just a little one, clean it thoroughly and use an antibiotic ointment or cream on it. Keep an eye on the injury, because catbites become infected easily. See a doctor if ths happens.
• Watch any bite or scratch for infection. If it becomes infected, see a doctor.
• Cat-scratch Disease (CSD), also known as Rochalimaea henselae or Bartonella henselae, has flu-like symptons. It comes from contact with a very young cat or feral cats. It seems to be spread by fleas. It is self-limiting in humans, but you are miserable while you have it.

Resources

• Humane Society of the United States
• AlleyCat Allies
• Feline Outreach
• Feral Cat Project
• Feral Cat News
• U.S. Public Opinion on Humane Treatment of Stray Cats

[alexan61]

on 10/31/2009 I am trying to befriend a feral cat by putting down food at the bottom of my driveway. How can I prevent my cat from eating the food, as well as other cats ?

[sarahfrancis]

on 10/17/2009 We have been feeding and caring for woodland feral cats. They live in caves behind our home. We trapped two adult cats that were wounded and they have been living inside with us for over two years. Took a year for them to trust us but now sleep in our bed with us and they are very loving. Good article with some good tips. Have a feline aids and luekemia cat too. We keep him in the office. He is alive and doing well 8 months after diagnosis. The disease is not a death sentence if you know how to build immune system on a non symptom cat. No reason to put them down if they aren't sick.

[mommyhen42]

on 4/4/2009 Totally awesome and insightful article on how to tame feral cats. As a kid I always had one or two ferals that called me friend, well friend in their own way. That is except Blackie, she eventually decides I was ok and then over 2 years decided to join the family and was a very loving friend until her death 14 years later. She will always be fondly remembered

[sonni57]

on 3/20/2009 Nice detailed article on how to tame feral cats. I didn't know any of this.

[Doodlebabe]

on 2/23/2009 A very well educated article. I work at a humane society and it's amazing how little people know about handling/approaching a feral cat. 5*