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| Feral Myths & Truths |
A socialized feral cat should never be declawed. No cat should be declawed with the exception of it is necessary for the well being and health of the cat. An X-feral or socialized feral that is declawed will revert to a total feral state. Socialized ferals have been traumatized through the socializing process. Ferals 95% of the time hate dogs. A feral cat should never be adopted by a person who also has a dog. Never try to catch a feral bare handed or from in front of them. Wearing gloves and a long sleeved shirt will help to ensure your safety. Male, tomcats that live in a colony do not kill kittens. Sometimes they will act as a uncle cat. The kittens tend to like these large males and will often times run up to them, tails up and rub on them. It would be a very rare occurrence for a male to kill a kitten. It would most likely occur as an accident or in a colony located outside of any human contact. Feral cats do not attack humans. They would much rather run then attack. However if cornered and frightened they can be dangerous as they will try to fight if you try to touch them. Feral kittens are no exception, they can and will bite. Feral cats once trapped are quiet. They don't meow, cry or caterwall. If you have a cat in a trap and it's meowing you have probably trapped someone's pet cat. Some ferals will go wild in a trap. This is known as 'pop corning'. They will bounce of the sides of the trap trying to get out. Yes, they can hurt themselves doing this. The best thing to do is to cover the trap So that the cat can not see out and be quiet. See if the cat calms down, which most will in a short time. Feral cats are smarter and harder than house cats. Myth - Feral adults cats can not be socialized or domesticated Ferals can be socialized, it just takes time, patience and earning their trust. Myth - Feral cats do not hunt together. They don't always but they do sometimes. Usually a pair that bonds together will also hunt together. Myth - Colonies don't have 'Alpha' cats. Colonies can and usually do have a pair of alpha cats. Usually a male and female even if altered. The alpha cats will usually look out for any kittens in the colony often making sure the kittens get to eat by letting them eat first. Not always the case but it does happen. Alpha cats may also team up to run off new cats. Myth - Feral cats do not bond with other colony cats They do bond and sometimes very strongly and morn if the other cat dies. Myth- Feral cats are totally wild animals that kill off all the birds. Only one in ten tries for a bird is successful. All feral cats in the US have come from one time domesticated cats. If you are tending a feral colony it is very important to keep records on the cats in the colony. Records should contain the following information for each cat and kitten: Age or approximation of, for kittens the date of birth and who mothered Description and/or photos ( Photo's are a great idea) Sex, date altered Dates of Vaccinations, Wormings, Illness,. Flea treatments, Accidents and anything relevant to the cats health. Personality traits and inter actions with other cats in the group. Also for colony information, where and when they are fed and watered, the total number of cats in the colony from month to month, dates new cats show up, dates of deaths. |
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