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The information provided on this site is for educational purposes. Do not attempt to handle a homeless cat before consulting with an experienced rescuer! Injury can be caused to you and/or the cat. You should always consult a veterinarian where appropriate. Feral Cat Network is not responsible or liable for any injury to you and to third parties resulting from the use of this information.

Why Doesn't Trap & Kill Work?

Traditional, municipality-run attempts to trap and kill cats have historically resulted in greater numbers of stray animals than have well planned programs to trap, neuter and return cats, the TNR program. TNR, in conjunction with public education, stabilizes numbers and facilitates the eventual elimination of colonies of homeless cats. The trap-and-kill method is usually implemented in spurts. Cats will be trapped for a few weeks and then the area is abandoned. Cats who escaped the traps remain. Moreover, people continue to abandon cats and allow unneutered cats to roam. Without public education, and without a permanent caregiver to monitor the area, the breeding cycle quickly starts up again. Trap-and-kill has been used for decades and there is still a feral cat overpopulation problem. It is unethical and does not work.

Why Is There Opposition To TNR?

Misconceptions regarding feral cats and TNR may cause unnecessary public anxiety. Many believe that ferals carry diseases or are responsible for bird and wildlife decline. Some believe that cats are better off dead than living outdoors and there are those who simply don’t want the cats around.

Why Should I Spay/Neuter The Cats I'm Feeding?

Feeding without spay/neuter'ing makes the situation worse. You set up a perfect breeding ground for the cats. They multiply and multiply, while remaining in one area, until the population is out of control and someone complains. When that happens, the cats who you have been feeding might be trapped and killed. Moreover, feeding without spay/neuter'ing is more costly because you have to feed new litters.

Shouldn't Domestic Cats Be Kept Indoors?

Ideally, yes. Domestic cats are safest indoors; cats who are lucky enough to have a home should be kept strictly indoors. However, because of the overpopulation crisis, there are not enough available homes. The next best thing for homeless feral domestic cats born outdoors is a managed colony where food, water, shelter, and medical care are consistently provided.

Are Feral Cats Sickly?

A report published from the University of Florida on more than 1,800 feral cats demonstrated only 4% to be infected with feline leukemia virus or feline immunodeficiency virus, which is similar to that found in pet cats. [See "Statement from Dr. Julie Levy, read at the hearing of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) on the proposed policy to eradicate feral cats in Florida." May 30, 2003. Available at http://www.bestfriends.org/nmhp/ferals26-02.htm. Accessed November 23, 2003.]

Rabies is not commonly found within feral cat colonies. Where humans are concerned, the danger of rabies is relatively slight. During 2001, 49 states and Puerto Rico reported only 1 case of rabies in a human, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Canada did not report any cases of rabies in human beings during 2001. [See "Rabies Control And Feral Cats In The US," Alley Cat Allies. Available at http://www.alleycat.org/pdf/rabies.pdf. Accessed September 29, 2003. "Public Veterinary Medicine: Public Health - Rabies surveillance in the United States during 2001," John W. Krebs, MS; Heather R. Noll, MPH; Charles E. Rupprecht, VMD, PhD; James E. Childs, ScD.]

Are Feral Cats Causing Bird & Wildlife Decline?

It is true that outdoor cats do occasionally kill birds and other species; however, the main cause of bird and wildlife decline is habitat loss, which is caused by humans, not cats. National Geographic News reports that the declining bird populations reflect growing threats to many bird species resulting from habitat loss and fragmentation caused by development and other human activities. [See "Quarter of U.S. Birds in Decline, Says Audubon," National Geographic News, November 5, 2002.] Moreover, conservation groups and government biologists estimate that communications towers (cell phone, television) kill up to 50 million birds a year -- and at least 50 species are threatened or endangered. The construction of new towers creates a potentially significant impact on migratory birds. [See "Towering Troubles: Bird Collisions With Communications Towers." Journey North, 2002.]

Wildlife biologist Roger Tabor is quoted as saying, "The clear leading animal that's really putting wildlife at risk is the human population. We just don't like to acknowledge that it is our fault. It's not a case of the cat being the worst offender. It isn't even remotely the worst offender. It's us." [See "Living in the Gray Zone," Estelle Munro.]

Also of interest, a Columbia University study found that "reducing cats' effect on the ecosystem may actually have a negative impact upon some native species due to the possibility of 'mesopredator release effect'. In areas where domestic cats are preying upon invasive rodent species, such as the Norway rat, elimination of cats could induce a rat population spike which may adversely affect those native fauna and flora that are the rats' source of food. Therefore, domestic cat population control in a given area should be undertaken with care and an understanding of the cat's role in that particular ecosystem." The study also recommended that we confront the cat population problem with a combination of methods: enlist the "trap-neuter-return" style of feral management and combine it with incentives for owners to sterilize their pet cats. [See "Introduced Species Summary Project: Domestic Cat" Danielle LaBruna, Columbia University, January 29, 2001.]

Most important of all: Even where cats might be observed hunting, killing the cats fails to address this issue because trap and kill does not set its sights on the long-term goal -- ending the homeless cat crisis.

I Feed Birds. How Do I Protect Them?

Jacque Shultz at the ASPCA suggests placing bird feeders out of harm’s way. "Mount bird feeders on poles with a squirrel baffle or hang them from branches that stretch well out from the trunk of a tree," she said. "Use feeders that have catch trays or small seed openings to limit the amount of seed that falls to the ground."

How Do I Keep Feral Cats Out Of My Garden?

Push wooden chopsticks or 10-inch plant stakes into flowerbeds every eight inches to discourage digging and scratching.

Reppers, a spray repellent, is for use in the garden and you can purchase it at almost any major pet supply store, including PetsMart and pets.com. Also consider an ultrasonic animal repellent, which you can find in the Real Goods Catalog, 1-800-762-7325.

Ellen Phillips at Organic Gardening Magazine recommends, "For ornamental plantings where you won’t need to dig the soil again, you can cover it with a mulch or wood chips or gravel. These coarse materials are unpleasant to cat paws. For vegetable beds…a thick straw mulch might keep them away from the soil surface, but to make sure, put down hardware cloth on your beds, then plant through it. [If that fails and] they’re still reaching in to the veggies, cover your crops with bird netting."

Another proven-effective way to keep cats out of your garden areas is the use of a motion activated water sprinkler.

Marty Hutchins, of the Animal Services Dept of Orange County, Florida, recommends supporting programs such as TAR. He states, "We get constant complaints about cats digging in the yard, but if you control the population, you won’t have as much of a problem in the first place."

Why Bother With Feral Cats?

1) Ignoring homeless animals is precisely what perpetuates the problem. We must stop the breeding cycle.
2) Feral cats are domestic animals who sometimes lack basic necessities, such as food, shelter, and medical care.
3) Feral cats are victims of human irresponsibility and neglect.

Advantages of TNR

1) Decrease population and eventual elimination of homeless cats by preventing new litters.
2) Decrease complaints about homeless cats by eliminating behavior that some people find bothersome, such as territorial spraying, fighting, & mating.
3) Improve health of the existing homeless cat population.
4) Decrease shelter intake (and killing) of ferals, thereby freeing shelter/rescue space & funds.

Can't The Cats Be Moved Or Taken To A Farm Or Sanctuary?

There simply aren't enough sanctuaries, barn homes, and the like to house the tens of millions of feral cats estimated to be living in the United States alone. The only humane and effective way to control the feral cat population and give the cats a chance at healthier lives is through TNR.

Under no circumstances should cats ever be relocated or abandoned in an unfamiliar area. They will not be able to survive by hunting. Furthermore, cats are extremely territorial animals and will try to find their way back 'home.' Most will not survive their desperate attempts to reconnect with their family and the habitat where they were born.

I Found Feral Cats. Now What?

Cats should never be brought to a shelter because it's the easiest thing to do. The majority of ferals turned into shelters are killed.

1) If you have found a colony, do not wait for a larger one to form. Trap-Spay/Neuter-Return as soon as possible.
2) If you are going to begin feeding the cats on a regular basis, make sure there is a backup person willing to take care of the colony in case you move or are no longer able to care for the cats.
3)If you feed, Spay & Neuter!

Do not attempt to handle or trap a homeless cat without first consulting an experienced rescuer.

Is Relocation Safe For Feral Cats?

Relocating ferals is strongly discouraged except in extreme circumstances where all other options have been explored. Relocation should be considered only when the cats' environment is truly under imminent threat. If the cats can stay at their present location, leave them there.

If the cats must be relocated, please read "Relocating Feral Cats."

Can I Adopt A Feral Cat?

Yes, but feral cat adoption is not for every person or every cat!

Feral cats are very frightened of people; they have had little or no human contact. It takes time for a feral to learn to trust. It is not wise to adopt a feral if you are looking strictly for a "lap cat" or have small children in your household. Some ferals may become very sociable, while others may not. Each cat is different and it is impossible to predict their personality once indoors. Adopted ferals do best in a calm household with a loving, patient, and accepting family.

Ideally, all domestic cats, including ferals, should have an indoor home; however, there are simply not enough homes for them all. Use good judgment and common sense before adopting a feral. Ferals form strong bonds with their territory and colony members. Sterilized ferals living in stable, outdoor colonies are the realistic, effective solution to the overpopulation crisis.

For further information, please read Feral Cat To Indoor Cat (this is a .doc file, which requires Microsoft Word.)

Where Could I Get A Humane Trap?

Some shelters or rescues rent traps to the public. If you would prefer to purchase your own, we recommend "Have A Heart" or "Tomahawk."

Should I Test Feral Cats For FIV and FeLV?

Testing is not necessary for feral cats who are going to remain within their colony and do not show signs of serious illness. Positive test results are not always accurate and it's necessary to rule-out false-positives. The funds that would have been used for testing can be used toward sterilization. Moreover, killing a cat who is not suffering is unethical. The tests normally administered to ferals are not reliable enough to make life or death decisions. Euthanasia is defined as the mercy killing of a suffering individual. Killing for any other reason is not euthanasia. Cats who show no active sign of serious illness should be returned to their colony.

Many will try to make you feel guilty for not testing. They feel that feral cats lead short, miserable lives and you are choosing to allow them to suffer and die from horrible diseases. We know that this is not accurate. You are doing the best you can by assuring that the feral cats in your care do not continue to breed. TNR ensures healthier cats, who will most times live longer lives than they would have if left to their own defenses. It may not be perfect, but you are making the situation better for these cats. TNR stops the cycle of mating and fighting, which are the primary ways the diseases are spread.

For more information:

What Is "Herpes Virus?"

Feral cats are sometimes diagnosed with Herpes Virus. It is a treatable common respiratory pathogen. Cats who have this virus should not be killed or considered unadoptable. This virus is exasperated from stress, which is why you may see ferals (and shelter cats) with runny eyes and noses. The symptoms range from very mild to severe. Please discuss treatments with your veterinarian.

How Do I Build An Inexpensive Shelter?

For insulated shelter ideas, visit:

Remember, feral cat shelters should have two exits to prevent cats from becoming trapped inside! Do not build a shelter made of flammable materials!

Shelter Do's & Don'ts
{Excerpt from "Coming In From The Cold," © 1999 ASPCA, ASPCA Animal Watch - Winter 1999}

With a little ingenuity, caretakers can provide the added warmth that these cats need by constructing a homemade shelter. A shelter may provide warmth for two, three or more cats, depending on its size and the sociability of the cats. Feral felines who compete for food at other times of the year may find they are willing to overlook their differences when temperatures drop. "There are no enemies in a snowstorm," says another veteran caregiver, Joanna Harkin, an attorney and director of Alliance for Stray Animals and People (ASAP), a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C.

The reason for these newfound alliances is a practical one. "Cats give each other body warmth in the cold months," explains Louise Holton, president of Alley Cat Allies, another Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization dedicated to non lethal feral cat control. Holton has seen as many as 12 cats come out of one shelter during a blizzard.

Before constructing a shelter, be sure to obtain permission from the landowner on whose property it is to be placed. Alley Cat Allies recommends that a shelter be at least two feet by three feet long and 18 inches high. It should have an opening small enough to prevent dogs or other large animals from entering and a flap or L-shaped entryway to keep the cold air from blowing in. And bigger shelters are not necessarily better. The body heat generated by the cats huddling inside tends to disperse, leaving the interior of the shelter as cold as the weather outside. Ideally, the shelter should be small enough to transport in your vehicle to the colony site.

Shelters can be built of wood or other materials and need not be complex. Alley Cat Allies publishes a fact sheet with plans for building an insulated, wooden cat shelter (see "Feral Cat Resources"). The plans include materials needed and schematics for cutting the wood and insulation. Materials for one of their wooden shelters should run about $25-$30 at your local lumberyard. For about $25, Scroggs constructs boxes made of two-inch-thick home insulation boards. The boards come in large sheets at home supply stores. She seals the seams using a silicone gun to prevent cold air from entering. Scroggs then elevates the shelter on cinder blocks and places a flat piece of wood on top to weigh it down.

You can make an "instant" shelter from a cardboard box with a trash bag taped over it. Cardboard boxes from moving companies or ones in which computer equipment is packed make sturdy little dens and can be obtained for little or no cost. Tape a few boxes together to create a hallway. "One can be creative with cardboard," says Harkin.

Once the boxes are positioned, throw leaves over them so that they’ll remain out of sight. Another option is to use milk crates wired together and covered with plastic. For those who have no construction skills, doghouses that are winterized with plastic coverings or insulation make convenient cat shelters. Reduce the size of the original doorway, and install a flap on the opening to keep out cold air and wind.

A shelter should sit a few inches off the ground on bricks, blocks or pallets (wooden platforms used for unloading boxed goods) to keep it from becoming waterlogged. Shipping firms or hardware, farm or pet stores may be able to provide discarded pallets or offer advice on where to obtain them. "As long as the cats stay dry, they can survive any climate," says Holton. During snowstorms, dig out a pathway from the shelter so the cats can get in and out. Although some areas of the country have relatively mild winters, providing shelter to protect the cats from the elements is still important. At California Polytechnic State University in San Lius Obispo, members of the Cal Poly Feral Cat Program built 12 feral cat shelters out of dark green, 55-gallon trash cans, cutting a doorway out of the side of each. "We like these better than dog houses because we can conceal them in the shrubs," says Edie Griffin-Shaw, director of the program.

Alley Cat Allies recommends the use of hardwood shavings (no cedar or pine), straw or fake sheepskin as bedding in the shelter. "Never use towels, blankets or sheets because they retain moisture," says Holton. Scroggs places bed sheets made from cut Mylar,’ a space-age product that retains body heat, in her shelters. These sheets can be found in the home section of department stores and are easily cut to size.

How Do I Care For Ferals In Cold Weather?

The ideal solution to prevent freezing water, though only plausible in secure circumstances, is an electrically heated water bowl. The water will evaporate relatively quickly, so the bowl needs to be filled with a gallon of water in order to last 24 hours. The bowl also can be used for wet food, though it will quickly dry the food up. A 5 quart dish with 6 foot protected cord is available for $24 from KV Vet Supply (item #86041) - www.kvvet.com, or call 1-800-423-8211. Ask about their other heated bowls.
Using heated pads under the bowls work well. Here is an outdoor one marketed specifically for this purpose: Kitty Pad
Snuggle Safe: It's a disk about the size of a frisbee intended to keep pets' bedding warm. Under normal indoor conditions, you put it in the microwave for 5 minutes and it stays hot for 12 hours. For outdoor use, it has been reported that the discs can be safely heated up to 8 minutes in a 1,000 watt microwave to last as long as possible outdoors. Depending on the microwave, the discs can conceivably melt so you have to do a little trial and error to see how hot you can go. The discs are just the right size to fit inside the under rim of some large dinner plates and water bowls. In the frigid outdoors their heat lasts 2-3 hours. If you can afford it, it's convenient to have two sets of discs - that way you can heat and bring one set to the colony, and pickup and bring back the set used the last time you were feeding. Snuggle Safe is also great (wrapped in cloth the cats can't open) for providing warmth inside their shelters. Available for $20 from Foster & Smith (item #9B-9599).
Wider and deeper is better for the water dish than narrow and shallow. This keeps the surface water from freezing longer.
Use a thick plastic, thermal-type of water dish. It's amazing how long it takes for water to freeze in one of these. I use the bottom of a tupperware container - it's shaped like a large cup and very thick plastic.
Get an old tire off the rim, and stuff it with rocks. Wedge a container (like a large bucket) in the hole in the tire and put the water in there. The black tire will absorb the light from the sun during the day and heat the rocks within the tire. The rocks will radiate the warmth enough to keep the water from freezing. This suggestion comes from a horse magazine, to keep water for the horses in the fields in winter. The barn manager piled a few rock-filled tires on top of each other and then inserted a water bucket in the center of them. She said this actually prevented the water from freezing for a period of time.
We have a number of birds and squirrels in our backyard, and for them we put a large, deep plastic dish underneath the outside spout where the water drains every so often from our heating system. We put rocks in there too. The water is warm coming from the pipe. Also the sun warms the rocks. By the time the water cools enough to freeze, another splash of water comes out. We've been doing this for years and we like to watch the animals come close to get a drink. In springtime they go back to the birdbath!
For wet food only, one trick is to place the bowl inside the cats' insulated shelter, assuming you're using one. Their body heat will often keep the food from freezing or defrost it enough for them to eat. Do not put water in the cat's shelter - cats need a warm, dry place to go.
Never use newspaper, towels, or blankets inside a cat's shelter. They will retain the cold and become stiff and hard. Instead, use straw or hay.
For insulated shelter ideas, visit:
Remember, feral cat shelters should have two exits to prevent cats from becoming trapped inside! Do not build a shelter made of flammable materials!
Raise the shelter off the ground by placing it securely on bricks or on a wooden pallet. If left on the ground it will retain moisture and will rot.

Do You Have Advice For Trapping?

Do not attempt to handle or trap a homeless cat without first consulting with an experienced rescuer. Remember that feral cats are extremely afraid of humans; their behavior is unpredictable.
Trapping should be done for Trap-Neuter-Return purposes only, however, tame homeless cats and kittens can be placed into safe, indoor homes. Do not take a trapped feral cat to a shelter; this is an automatic death sentence. Relocating ferals to a different outdoor territory is very risky and should be a last resort. When feral cats are relocated and released without an initial period of confinement, they may try to find their way home through unfamiliar territory. They may displace or be displaced by other resident cats, or may become a nuisance to people living in the release area.
It is essential to have a plan mapped out before you trap. Make your appointments ahead of time with a vet experienced in working with ferals, and only trap the night before or the morning of neutering. Confinement is terrifying for ferals, so keep it to a minimum.
If possible, have an "open" appt. with the vet so that you can bring the cat straight to the office as soon as s/he is trapped. Let your vet know that you are trying to trap a feral cat for a spay/neuter procedure. Make sure you are aware of the office hours.
Make sure you have a place set up indoors where the cat can stay before the appointment and during recovery. DO NOT let the cat out of the trap. It will be very difficult to recapture him. Keep the cat in a quiet, safe room. Place the trap on top of plastic garbage bags to protect the surface.
Prepare the vehicle you will use to transport the cat. Cover the seat with plastic over an absorbent material, such as a blanket, to protect the surface.
If dealing with a large colony, be sure to ask the vet to ear-tip so you will know who has been altered.
Tell your veterinarian to use dissolvable stitches.
Plan to trap so that you don’t have to keep the cat too long before surgery. Cats should not eat 12 hours prior to surgery. Write down the last time the cat ate or drank and provide your vet with that information.
Never leave the trap unattended and never leave the trap outdoors overnight.
If there are young kittens in the area, remember that they should not be removed from their mother before 6 weeks of age. Kittens can be spayed/neutered between 8-12 weeks of age. If you are trapping a lactating female, wait until you have located the kittens and they are old enough to wean. The mother cat should have stopped nursing at least ten days prior to surgery. Be sure to tell the veterinarian that the cat was recently nursing.
Once the cat is trapped, completely cover the trap with a towel and remove to a secure area. Never leave a trapped cat outdoors!
When the cat is ready to be returned to his territory, return to the area in which he was captured and open the trap. Do not relocate the cat!
Make sure the spot you pick to return the cat does not encourage her to run into danger (like a busy street) to get away from you. Keep the trap covered until you are ready to release. When ready, hold the trap with the door facing away from you and open the door. The cat will probably bolt immediately out of the trap. If she is confused, tilt the trap so the back is slightly up and tap on the back of the trap to encourage her to exit. Never put your hand in the trap! You could use this same method to release a wild animal who is accidentally captured, such as a raccoon.
After returning the cat, clean off the trap and disinfect it with bleach. Never store traps with the door open; animals may wander into even unbaited traps and starve to death.

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