Feral cats are different from stray cats. Stray cats are
usually the product of a person’s irresponsibility.
Irresponsibility could be defined in two ways when it comes to
strays: dumping a cat to fend for itself and/or neglecting to
spay and neuter their cats. Stray cats can be timid, but are
often easily tamed. Feral cats are cats that were probably born
to wild parents and are wild themselves. Feral cats have had no
human interaction and are very difficult to tame.
Because feral cats are difficult to tame, thus making them
undesirable indoor pets, there are many rescue organizations
that are dedicated to the trapping and spaying and neutering of
feral cat colonies. Many times, these organizations trap the
cats, have them spayed and neutered and then release them near
where they were originally found. Then, they dedicate themselves
to providing food to these colonies.
Feral cats are everywhere. You can find feral cats in rural or
farm areas, abandoned buildings and even parks and alleyways.
You might catch a glimpse of them, but chances are that you
would not be able to catch them easily. After all, they have not
been around humans so any contact would make them shy away from
you. If you have feral cats in your neighborhood, you may wonder
whether these animals can be kept as pets.
Taming a feral cat can be a difficult proposition simply because
they are not accustomed to humans. Depending on the level of
their interactions with humans, some cats might be classified as
semi-feral, total feral or even a converted feral cat. Depending
on what your cat is classified dictates your potential success
in socializing it. In addition, it takes a lot of time, love and
patience to tame these cats.
If you find a cat that is has been feral for a years, chances
are that there is little to no chance of socializing it. With no
human contact at all, these cats are overly independent and
would never depend on a human for food or companionship. You
might have better success with a cat that is semi-feral. In
these instances, they have had some limited human contact. A
converted feral cat would probably have the best chance at a
normal life as someone’s pet. These cats were once domesticated,
meaning that they probably started life as a pet and then was
abandoned. The converted feral cat will more than likely
eventually respond to human interactions such as love and
affection.
If you want to attempt to tame a feral cat, remember that it can
be hard work reaching out to the feral cat and getting them to
trust you after being on their own. Sometimes, your efforts will
not pay off for months, especially with older cats. If your
attempts are a success, the rewards are well worth it because a
strong bond can develop and loyalty and love is the reward.
If you believe you have the time and the love to attempt to tame
a feral, there are some things to remember. First, these cats
see you as an intruder and are very likely to spit, hiss, bite
and claw. This is a normal response as they are defending
themselves against a perceived predator – you. If they manage to
get in a few bites or scratches, you should apply first aid
immediately. After you have successfully trapped a feral cat,
your very first step is to get it to the vet for spay or neuter
and to check for any diseases it may carry. This is a necessary
step and an absolute must if you have other pets in the house.
After you have arrived home with your cat, you need to let it
adjust to you and the surroundings by giving it a small, safe
place to stay. Allow the cat to stay in a small bathroom or
laundry room, where it does not feel overwhelmed. You will need
to take time every day to spend time with the cat and allow the
cat to adjust to you.
Remember, not all feral cats can be socialized; however with
love and patience, your time and efforts may be worthwhile.