It's a wonderful Sunday morning and time for another visit with Jodi Jarvis-Therrian on Dog Blessed. This week, Jodi welcomes back Alexis Robertson from Big Lake Humane Society and the discussion revolves around feral cats.
"A feral cat is an unsocialized outdoor cat who has either never had any physical contact with humans, or human contact has diminished over enough time that she is no longer accustomed to it. Most feral cats are fearful or people and are not likely to ever become a lap cat or enjoy living indoors." You may refer to this kind of cat as a barn cat. There's a difference to a feral cat and a stray and while a feral cat may very well not be able to be put back into a social setting very well, finding kittens of a feral cat early enough, they can be socialized and homes found.
As people go, we are generally pretty compassionate about animals and to see any other being struggle isn't exactly in our comfort zone. There are also those who prefer a feral cat for their role they can serve in a practical purpose. A "mouser" is not a bad thing to have around a garage or barn and if all it takes is a warm corner and some food and water left out, it could be like a marriage of convenience to offer the mutual assistance of that kind of relationship.
It is the dead of winter however and there are some things you should know if you are in the game of trying to take care of a feral cat. Jodi and Alexis are at the Big Lake Animal Clinic again this week to talk about some ways that you can help feral cats if you are working with them in and around your property of if you know of one and just hope to make their life a little more comfortable. There are really incredible ways you may not have thought of to provide some warmth and security from common every day items...and a chance to donate some of yours if they are just sitting around. Take a listen.
A feral cat is beneficial in the idea that keeping pests away and letting "nature take it's course" in that process is not bad. But as pointed out in the video... the multiplication of births of cats can be astronomical if they are not fixed. Big Lake Animal Clinic works to provide low cost spay and neuter options and if there's a possibility to help control the population of these cats, take it. One theme that runs through here consistently is that no harm coming to pets is the biggest goal and to keep them out of shelters and in some cases, euthanasia is the push behind all of our shelters. Our thanks to Alexis for the insight today and ideas on how to help improve the lives of the cats.
