Feral cats (stray cats) are usually unowned domestic cats that usually live alone, or alongside a small group of females and kittens known as matrilinear colonies. They live outdoors, avoids human contact and often doesn't like to be touched or held by a human as well. Some feral cats can become more open to human interaction/socialization, especially with people who regularly feed them.
In Chicago, there's been an estimated number of over 100,000 stray/feral cats, and in America, the number is around 32-90 million. Female cats can get pregnant when they are just four months old, and have an average of 1.6 liters a year.This serves as a huge problem, as feral cats have turned into an invasive species. With the rising number of feral cats comes the rising number of the wildlife being killed. About 500 million birds being killed, alongside mice, rabbits, chipmunks and squirrels.
Table of Contents
- Human Interaction
- Feral Cat Population Management
- Groups
- References
- The Importance of T-N-R and Caring for Feral Cats
Human Interaction
Feral Cat Population Management
T-N-R (Trap Neuter Return):
The Trap-Neuter-Return approach involves live-trapping the feral cats, having them neutered and ear-tipped to signify that they've been neutered. Often times during this method, they'd also be vaccinated. After all the proper care, they'd be released back outdoors.
The TNR approach has been the most humane and effective approach for community cats. TNR improves cats' health, and most importantly, saves lives when they would've been in danger otherwise (ending up as road kill, or being killed in shelters).
In Chicago, specifically Humbolt Park, it was concluded it cut the neighborhood's feral cat population by 82% after a decade-long effort.
Groups
Cats At Work: the Tree House Humane Society:
Paws and Purrs Humane Society:
PAWS CHICAGO:
CatsInAction:
Based in mainly the Right Wood neighborhood in Chicago, this organization made it their mission to feed and neuter, and overall care feral cats. They'd like to encourage the residents of Cook County to do the same. In turn, they've helped make feeding and caring for feral cats legal by Cook County ordinance as long as the feral cats are sterilized.
The Importance of T-N-R and Caring for Feral Cats
References
[1] Alley Cat Allies Staff. "Trap-Neuter-Return Research Compendium." N/A Copyright 2024. https://www.alleycat.org/resources/trap-neuter-return-research-compendium/
Accessed 2024, February 26th. [2] Abarca, Zipporah. “The Purr-fect Storm: Stray cat populations increase following pandemic order.” Central Michigan Life. 2022, February 10th. https://www.cm-life.com/article/2022/02/the-purr-fect-storm-stray-cat-populations-increase-following-pandemic-order Accessed 2024, February 6th.
[3] Bull, Justin. “Why did Chicago become a haven for feral cats?” WBEZ Chicago. 2023, October 27th. https://www.wbez.org/stories/the-rundown-how-chicago-became-a-haven-for-feral-cats/e5bb00e3-beb0-4233-9ff4-1df83149df1b Accessed 2024, February 6th.
[4] Frasseas, Alexis.” The Beak Family and the Launch of the GusMobile Spay Neuter Van.” PAWS CHICAGO. 2011, April 30th. https://www.pawschicago.org/news-resources/news-features/paws-chicago-news/paws-chicago-news-item/showarticle/the-beck-family-and-the-launch-of-the-gusmobile-spay-neuter-van Accessed 2024, February 6th
[5] FOX 32 Digital Staff. “Worried about feral cats in your neighborhood? Chicago groups helps trap, neuter and return them.” FOX 32 Chicago. 2021, November 20th. https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/worried-about-feral-cats-in-your-neighborhood-chicago-group-helps-trap-neuter-and-return-the Accessed 2024, February 6th.
[6] International Cat Care Staff. "The Social Structure of Cat Life." International Cat care. 2018, October 5th.https://icatcare.org/advice/the-social-structure-of-cat-life/#:~:text=Feral%20cats%20 Accessed 2024, February 26th.
[7] Keilman, John. An army of volunteers is trying to control Chicago’s feral cat population. It looks like it’s working. Chicago Tribune. 2019, April 25th. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2019/04/25/an-army-of-volunteers-is-trying-to-control-chicagos-feral-cat-population-it-looks-like-its-working/ Accessed 2024, February 6th.
[8] O’Niell, Fielding D. DVM, MS. Feral Cats in America. Tuckahoe Veterinary Hospital. N/A Copyright 2017. https://www.tuckahoevet.com/post/feral-cats-in-america Accessed 2024, February 6th.
[9] Wernette, Jane. DuPage County Animal Services New Vet Van Naperville Community Television. 2018, June 22nd. .https://www.nctv17.org/news/dupage-county-animal-services-new-vet-van/ Accessed 2024, February 6th.
[10] Oladipo, Gloria.Shelter releases 1,000 feral cats onto Chicago streets to combat rat crisis. The Guardian. 2021, May 14th. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/14/chicago-feral-cats-rat-crisis Accessed 2024, February 8th.
