Today is National Feral Cat Day, a day to reflect about the outdoor cats in our neighborhoods. These cats are found behind grocery stores, fast food restaurants or even sunning themselves in our backyards. Many people spend their own money feeding these cats. Where do these cats come from and what can we do to help?
According to the Web site, Alley Cat Allies, feral cats exist in every community. These cats are the same species as domestic cats, but are not socialized to humans and cannot be adopted into homes. Instead, they live healthy and content lives in family groups called colonies.
The most humane way to help a feral cat is through a program called Trap-Neuter-Return. This ends the breeding cycle and helps cats and people co-exist peacefully.
Please visit Alley Cat Allies Web site at www.alleycat.org for helpful information on how to trap, neuter and return these cats, the importance of spaying and neutering all cats and also interesting information on why trapping and killing these cats create a vacuum effect that never fully takes care of the feral cat challenge.
Lori Durst
Lakeport
