#STRAY CATS HOW TO#

Utah’s Animal Welfare Act contains provisions supporting “community cats” – thoseĬats released back into the community after going through the Trap-Neuter-Release Where animals are released back where they were trapped after they are neutered. Non-lethal control is usually conducted through a program called “Trap-Neuter-Release”, Supports non-lethal population control of stray and feral cats wherever possible. On the other side of the argument, the Human Society strongly Supports euthanasia (humane death) of cats that cannot become adopted (i.e. The Wildlife Society, the national organization of wildlife management professionals,

#STRAY CATS HOW TO#

How to manage stray and feral cats in the United States is a matter of much debate. Furthermore, studies suggest that free-roamingĬats may have transmitted feline leukemia to mountain lions and feline distemper to the endangered Florida Panther. Additionally, recent studies suggest that cats are responsible for transmitting Have rabies many people that have contracted rabies have gotten it from exposure fromĪ cat. For example, while comparatively very few cats Each of these diseases can have serious health implications when contracted by They can transmit several diseases such as rabies, toxoplasmosis, cat scratch fever, typhus and feline immunodeficiency virus. Outside, stray and feral) cats each year.įree-roaming cats are also a cause for concern because of their ability to transmitĭiseases. Scientists estimate that 2.4 billionīirds and 12.3 billion mammals are killed by free-roaming (house cats that are allowed Quickly overwhelm the natural resources by increasing competition with native predatorsĪnd depleting populations of local prey species. To increase in population, the number of stray and feral cats in an environment can To successfully raise as many as 12 offspring in any given year. Produce as many as 3 litters each year with 2 to 4 kittens per litter, with the capacity Individuals become sexually mature as early asĦ months of age, and reproduction can occur throughout the year.

Stray and feral cats can have a detrimental impact on our wildlife. Most situations cat predation in the environment is harmful to native species. This behavior canīe helpful, in the case of farm cats controlling rodent populations. Is because cats often kill animals for practice, not for food. Predation on native species is not limited to strays andįeral cats even house cats that are fed a healthy diet will kill wildlife. Variety of species of animals including frogs, salamanders, snakes, small mammals Cats are very efficient predators, eating a Stray catsĪnd young feral kittens that are adopted by humans may become socialized and make A feral cat is a domesticĬat that has not been owned by a human, and as a result has become wild. Was owned by a human and was subsequently abandoned or lost. House cats are those that are kept by a humanįamily, but may be allowed to go outside on a regular basis. They are found on all 7 continents, with anĮstimated 600 million cats worldwide.

The species is the most prevalent domesticated animal in the Unites States, numberingīetween 148 – 188 million individuals. House, stray and feral cats are all the same species, Felis catus or also seen as Felis domesticus. Because stray and feral cats are domesticatedĪnimals, their future is directly our responsibility. Others supporting euthanasia (humane death). Towns is a divisive subject with some folks wanting to protect and sustain them with What to do with stray and feral cats in our Not only can the outdoors be a harsh environment for a cat, catsĬan be detrimental to the environment. The winter it is during this time that homeowners begin to see them around their Each fall thousands of stray and feral cats begin to look for safe, warm homes for