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| Feral Cats |
A feral cat (or stray cat, alley cat) is a cat which has been separated from
domestication, whether through abandonment, loss, or running away, and becomes
wild. The term may also refer to descendants of such cats, but not to wild cats,
whose ancestors were never domesticated.
Adult feral cats, that were never socialized with humans, can rarely be socialized.
Feral kittens can sometimes be socialized to live with humans. The ideal time for
capture is between six and eight weeks old. Taming at this age may take only a
couple of days. Older kittens can be tamed - but it takes longer. Also, an older
kitten may bond only with the person working with them, which can make adoption
difficult, but not impossible.
Feral cats may live alone but are usually found in large groups called feral colonies.
The average life span of a feral cat that survives beyond kittenhood is usually cited
as being less than two years, while a domestic housecat lives an average of 12 to
16 years. However, feral cats aged 19 (Cat Action Trust) and 26 (Cats Protection)
have been reported where food and shelter are available.
For more information and resources for helping feral cats, visit the United States
Humane Society Feral Cat Resource page.
domestication, whether through abandonment, loss, or running away, and becomes
wild. The term may also refer to descendants of such cats, but not to wild cats,
whose ancestors were never domesticated.
Adult feral cats, that were never socialized with humans, can rarely be socialized.
Feral kittens can sometimes be socialized to live with humans. The ideal time for
capture is between six and eight weeks old. Taming at this age may take only a
couple of days. Older kittens can be tamed - but it takes longer. Also, an older
kitten may bond only with the person working with them, which can make adoption
difficult, but not impossible.
Feral cats may live alone but are usually found in large groups called feral colonies.
The average life span of a feral cat that survives beyond kittenhood is usually cited
as being less than two years, while a domestic housecat lives an average of 12 to
16 years. However, feral cats aged 19 (Cat Action Trust) and 26 (Cats Protection)
have been reported where food and shelter are available.
For more information and resources for helping feral cats, visit the United States
Humane Society Feral Cat Resource page.