Ear tipping is the universal sign of a neutered cat. Ear tipping means that a small portion of the left ear (the tip) has been removed when the cat is anesthetized for neutering. This allows for easy recognition, even at a distance, that a feral cat has been spayed or neutered. To see photos of ear tipped cats click here
If I make a donation, where does the money go?
Feral Cat Friends, Inc. is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit corporation--which means 100% of the money goes to the cats.
Your donation is greatly appreciated and will be used to reduce the cat overpopulation through Trap-Neuter-Return, not euthanasia.
A feral is a cat who is too wild to be an indoor pet. He has either been born and raised outside or has lived outside long enough to revert to his natural wild state. Feral cats tend to avoid humans. They can't be tamed. They like their lifestyle just as it is and see no need for human contact.
What is a stray cat?
A stray is a cat who has been abandoned by its owners or has wandered away on its own and become lost. Stray cats tend to be scared but still trusting, unlike feral cats. Strays, having once known a home, tend to seek out human companionship again. Stray cats will approach you, whereas feral cats will not.
What is TNR?
TNR stands for Trap-Neuter-Return. Please see our TNR page for more details.
What are the advantages of TNR?
1) TNR decreases the homeless cat population by preventing new litters.
2) TNR decreases the number of complaints about homeless cats by eliminating the bad behavior, such as territorial spraying, fighting, & mating.
3) TNR improves the health of the existing homeless cat population.
4) TNR decreases the number of feral cats at animal shelters, thereby providing the shelter with more space (and funds) to be given to "adoptable pets."
What is the difference between spaying and neutering?
Female cats are spayed, male cats are neutered. When a cat is spayed, her ovaries and uterus are removed. When a cat is neutered, his testicles are removed.
Where do feral cats live?
Feral Cats live anywhere that protects them from harsh weather, such as abandoned structures, barns, old cars, covered porches, under decks etc.--any warm, dry place where they can escape cold temperatures, snow and rain. Please click housing suggestions for things you can do to help your feral cat.
Shouldn't cats live indoors?
It is safer for a domesticated cat to live indoors but that is an unrealistic option for a feral cat. TNR feral cats, in a managed colony, lead healthy and happy lives--outside. Consider the alternative: Feral cats do not like to be touched or picked up. If they arrive at an animal shelter they are killed immediately because they cannot be adopted.
Don't feral cats kill off the wild bird population?
We understand that feral cats do impact wild birds but our goal is to decrease this impact by reducing the numbers and eventually eliminating feral cats by TNR.
Killing the cats has not worked and the numbers of feral cats has historically kept on increasing with the trap and euthanize approach. We believe that TNR is a much more humane and sensible approach to achieve a reduction in the numbers of ferals than anything else that has been done in the past.
An effective TNR program will help the wild birds.
If you have a question that we have not answered, please contact us.
I have feral cats around my house, but I don't want them there. What do I do?
Simply removing cats doesn't solve the problem. Many places have had dozens--or hundreds--of cats removed, only to have new ferals take their place.
The solution that is working is TNR. Trap every single cat, have them neutered, vaccinated and ear tipped, then return the cats to their original location to live out their lives.
TNR solves many of the problems/complaints over time as (1) members of the existing feral colony drive other (new) cats away; (2) sterilization reduces nuisance behavior such as fighting and urine-marking; and (3) the original ferals lead healthy lives until natural attrition thins the population.
