10 things everyone needs to know about feral cats:
1. Feral cats are domestic cats that were born and raised with little or no contact with people.
2. Feral cats are not stray cats. Strays are homeless pet cats, while ferals were born in the wild and were never socialised to humans.
3. Some feral cats can be tamed (socialised to humans) but this takes time and effort and is more suitable for kittens than adult cats.
4. Feral cats often live in colonies, forming groups around food sources.
5. The only humane way of controlling the feral cat population is by TNR – Trapping, Neutering and Returning them to where they were trapped.
Read about TNR here: Durban’s feral cats are a blessing in disguise
6. If you feed feral cats, you have to TNR, to prevent overpopulation.
7. Killing feral cats does not lower their numbers. New feral cats will soon take up their place.
8. Feral cats can have happy healthy lives outdoors and humans can help them achieve this with the TNR procedure.
9. Studies show that feral cats pose no public health risk.
10. You can also help feral cats by providing shelter during the cold season and water during the dry season.
DID YOU KNOW?
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