Feral cat (TNR)

Managing Feline Colonies

WCG Humane Society assists the public in managing the feral cat population in local neighborhoods. Our goal is to help citizens care for and monitor the health of our local feral cat population.

Trap-Removal vs. Trap-Neuter-Return

Studies have proven that a Trap-Neuter-Return policy is more effective than just trapping and removing feral cats. Feral cats create family colonies that are self-policing and stay in their own territories. A feral cat colony will rarely accept newcomers into their colony. If the entire colony is spayed and neutered, the size of the colony will eventually diminish as the members die out. The life span of a feral cat is short.

Colony cats that are not managed may only live two years. They die of disease, predators, injury from vehicles and fighting. Sadly, feral cats are also targeted by people with weapons and poisons.

In areas where feral cats are trapped and removed (euthanized), there is nothing to keep other feral cats from moving in to the now vacant territory. The problem doesn't just go away.

Monitored feral cats colonies that have been neutered and returned are much better neighbors. Problems with feral cats include the noise of caterwauling and fighting, spraying urine to mark territories, diseases such as Rabies, Feline Leukemia and FIV, and the litters of unwanted kittens.

Feral Kitten Survival

The odds of survival for a feral kitten are slim. Even if a kitten does survive, they need to be rescued at a very early age in order to have a chance at being tamed. Feral kittens over the age of 6-8 weeks are already too imprinted on the mother's wildness to be easily tamed.

It is tragic to see the fear in kittens we have rescued too late and knowing that they may never come out of their timid and scared shells. They have a hard time being adopted and often end up as barn cats.

Spay and Neuter Your Own Pets

Spay and neuter your own cats. Keep them indoors only. Too often, it is an owned tom-cat that makes the rounds of feral cat colonies during breeding season.

Owned female cats can also add to the feral problem if they are abandoned and left to fend for themselves and their kittens.

By keeping your own cats indoors and spayed or neutered, you are taking responsibility for your own pets as well as keeping them safe.

Managing Feral Cat Colonies

How to monitor and care for a feline feral cat colony

Please contact us for colony care information, and trapping as well as medical care for the feral cats. We do not advocate that people try to trap and deal with feral cats on their own. Our goal is to assist caregivers with keeping the feral cat family colony together. We will trap the cats, get them spayed or neutered, and then return them to the same colony.

The veterinarian treating the animal may also decide to test for FIV & FeLV if the cat is ill or shows signs of recent physical injury. 

When the entire colony have been spayed or neutered, they usually will not allow a strange cat to join their group. Should an unfamiliar cat appear and stay, the caretakers of the colony call us to discuss options for trapping and evaluating the cat, and then make a decision about returning it to the colony.

In many cases, new ones showing up have been friendly cats, left behind when someone moved from their apartment or home. These cats are often indoor cats, really unfamiliar with having to find food and a safe place to sleep. These socialized cats are often quite adoptable, and enter our shelter to find safe, permanent homes.

How to become a Feral Cat Colony Caretaker

Participants in our Trap-Neuter-Return program register as colony care takers.  We assist them with trapping initially, but as they become more experienced and capable, they usually trap the cats themselves.

The caretakers will then coordinate through us to take the trapped cats to appointments at our participating veterinarians. 

We do NOT have enough trappers to address all the needs in our community for trapping, monitoring, and caring for feral cats.

All cats deserve our respect and care. Caring for a Trap-Neuter-Release feral colony is a rewarding experience. Let us know how we can help you care for these special creatures.

Call us today to sign up for this worthwhile volunteer opportunity. 

Unwelcome Cats on Your Property

Go to our web page for information about dealing cats that just appear on your property Feral and stray cat advice.

RETURN TO TOP I HOME I DONATE I CONTACT US