IFCP believes that all animals deserve to live - even feral cats, although they are wild. The poor creatures can't help their predicament.
Some were born in the wild. Some cats are put out by their owners simply because they don’t want them any more. Still other cats wander into our areas because their owners have moved and couldn't find them during moving time. Regardless, they no longer have human contact or compassion. They find their way to our stations and stay because they find food and a kind word.
Our Spay/Neuter program has helped to eliminate the repopulation of unwanted cats, and eventually these colonies will dwindle out. We have proof of this through several colonies which were very large but are now totally under control.
We build feeding stations for the cats. This helps prevent the food from getting wet, controls the number of ants in the food, and keeps the water from getting hot and/or dirty between changings.
Can feral cats or colonies be transferred?
NO.
Cats are like any other living animal, they are creatures of habit. Where a cat lives is it's home; whether it be behind a building, dumpster, wooded area, or someone’s back yard. Everyone has heard the story of “Lassie Come Home”. Cats (and dogs) have sometimes traveled hundreds of miles to get back to where they were moved from. They may sometimes find and stay at a location during their journey if they find a food source, a cat colony, or a kind word.
Can feral cats be tamed to domestic house cats?
YES!
Especially kittens. Kittens that Are 4-5 weeks old do not have to be tamed. They will spit and hiss, but calm down immediately when held close and talked to. If they are 4 months or older it is harder, but possible. It takes a larger amount of time to tame them, but it can be done. Please keep in mind that it requires lots of patience and love!
What happens when you call Animal Control to ferals?
Feral cats are immediately euthenized. They can't adopt out feral cats because no one wants a cat that isn't immediately cuddly, and Animal Control is unable to care for them.
What about Rabies?
VERY RARE! Cats can get it by being bitten by a rabid raccoon, possum or skunk; however, cats are very wary, and are really too quick to get captured by an infected animal. AND GUESS WHAT?? Only one person has ever expired in all of the U.S. from rabies contracted from a cat... and that was in 1976. Only one case of an infected cat has been reported in Chatham County since 2005; NOTHING SINCE THEN. Ask your vet, they'll tell you!
What is Feline AIDS?
FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) It is not the same as human HIV. It cannot be transmitted to humans. The spread of FIV through watering bowls or grooming is unlikely. It is spread through bite wounds (infected cat saliva) recieved while fighting. An actual bite wound is an integral part of the disease transmission. Although rare, it is possible for a mother to pass the infection on to her unborn fetus.
What is Feline Leukemia?
This is a serious disease in cats. It is spread by direct contact with infected cats. It is transmitted via saliva. Licking, biting, and sneezing are common forms of transmission. Food and water dishes are likely sources of infections and litter boxes carry traces of the desease.
We trap cats and kittens and get them tested, and with the help of several other groups, find homes for them. Sometimes, this just isn't possible, because there are so very many! Smaller kittens can't be tested. The tests aren’t true, as the kittens aren’t fully developed. The mothers need to be trapped after the kittens are weaned. At that time, the mother is tested for FIV and feline leukemia.