By Ollie Campbell 

You most likely have seen a few stray cats roaming the streets of your neighborhood. We typically don’t think much of it, but have you ever considered how to help them? The feral cat population has had many complications over the years, which is providing them a substandard lifestyle. But first, what is a “feral” cat? Feral cats are usually found outside, possibly being once domesticated. They become lost, abandoned, etc. Feral cats can also be born into the feral lifestyle. They have very little to no human interaction outside of their colonies. The number of outdoor cats has grown rapidly, which is establishing other health concerns, but why is this happening?

Thousands of feral cats give birth at high rates, especially when they are still young. Some mothers have up to three litters during their lifetime. This is damaging not only to the mother, but also to the kittens. It results in poor care for both parties, and can make the quality of life diminish. Another factor in high rates is cat colonies. Cats are natural hunters and hunt persistently, even when they have enough to eat. The colonies dominate other animals and stay on top. Feral cats can also carry harmful diseases, spreading them to other cats in the pack. Parasitic worms, FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus), and ringworm are amongst the many transmittable diseases. 

Most of these factors are not in the cat’s control, so what can humans do to help our feline friends? Most local rescues/shelters run Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) through their facility. TNR is a process of trapping the cats, spaying or neutering them, and releasing them back from where they were originally taken. This helps control the excessive birth rates and makes life easier for them, and saves kittens from poor conditions of life. The cats will also get necessary rabies vaccines to control disease spread. Once released back, the cats will usually be monitored and fed by volunteers. To help identify TNR cats, vets will clip their ears. This method is preferred by many rather than a trap and kill method. Trap and kill methods are typically seen as inhumane and cruel to the cat’s life. Some people also disagree with the TNR method, as it hasn’t completely stopped rapid growth. The main concern we should be focusing on is the direct source of these issues. As we continue to study and research the feral cat community, we can continue to find new, humane, and more effective methods to make the feral cat population safe and liveable.