Cats of Durban

Feral Cats

Throughout the world there are conflicting views on feral cats, and although they are mostly considered to be a nuisance, there are some places where they are seen as an asset because of their ability to control vermin. Regardless of how we view them, feral cats are a reality in many urban and rural areas and will continue to exist as long as we humans “renege on our contract with the cat”.

Why should we do anything about feral cats?

Although the extermination of feral cat colonies is generally done for human convenience, there are times when individual trappers and animal welfare societies may undertake such a task to prevent suffering. Any attempts to solve the problem by trapping and removing the cats are mostly unsuccessful, largely because their presence in an area indicates an ecological niche for that specific number of cats. As long as the food source that attracted them in the first place remains, it is virtually impossible to prevent newcomers from arriving. The permanent removal of all the cats thus only serves to create a vacuum that will soon be filled by migrating and abandoned (mostly unsterilised) cats. The repeated influx of new, breeding cats into a colony increases territorial and hierarchical fighting – the very behavioural patterns for which feral cats are labelled a nuisance.

Conversely, if population numbers could be stabilised (by having them sterilised and by feeding them), the influx of new cats can be reduced and territorial behaviour within a colony would actually discourage migration into the colony from outside. The result is quieter, healthier cats, who are more acceptable to humans.

Any programme aimed at managing feral cats also needs to monitor the dumping of cats in the area.

Did you know? According to Animal Rescue Organisation (ARO) one unspayed cat can produce 80 000 offspring in a five year period!

The bottom line is that as long as the food source remains, new cats will continue to arrive. Removing food sources such as edible refuse, prey species and handouts from cat lovers is mostly impractical and impossible to do. There is only one solution that is both effective and humane, but it does require serious commitment. By sterilising and maintaining a colony of feral cats on a given site, you will not only ensure that numbers are kept down and the cats die off naturally, they will also earn their keep by ensuring that the area remains rat free.

Trap-Sterilise-Release or TSR (also known as Trap-Neuter-Return or TNS) methods have been successfully used in many countries for decades including England, Denmark, the USA and South Africa. These programmes are aimed at reducing the number of cats on site in order to create a smaller, stable and controlled population.

Inevitably a colony will contain cats that are terminally ill, injured or very old and are thus unable to cope and for these cats, euthansia is the kindest option. Without intervention, feral cats will not only breed prolifically adding to the overwhelming pet overpopulation problem that is facing this country, but they will lead lives filled with danger, disease, discomfort, hunger and fear. Suffering can only be countered with action.

Some solutions to the feral cat problem:

The decision to become involved in establishing a humane management programme for feral cats is not one to be taken lightly. There are many far-reaching implications that need to be considered, including the viability and feasibility of such an initiative. The landowner should ideally support, or at least tolerate the presence of cats and the proposed TNR project. Another important consideration is the resources (time and money) needed to ensure its efficacy. It is also not something you can start off doing and then lose interest in as it is morally and legally wrong and effectively constitutes mass abandonment!

If you are serious about getting involved with caring for feral cats, there are a few options available, for example, you could start off by simply volunteering to help as a feeder or foster home for an existing individual or group caring for feral cats in your area. You could also assist with adoptions, fundraising, publicity, educational or other activities in order to learn more about running an animal welfare programme.

If you have found a colony that no one is caring for and you are sure you want to get involved, then the fate of the cats must be determined before trapping begins. Their safety and welfare is the main consideration. If you decide to go the TSR route, then it is best to negotiate with the SPCA or another welfare society, who may be able to help with advice, trapping, transportation and veterinary treatments at possibly reduced rates.

It must be emphasised that feeding feral cats without simultaneously embarking on a sterilisation drive is irresponsible and will only aggravate the situation. Similarly, studies have revealed that supplemental food must be provided after sterilising and when releasing the cats back on site.

Since not all cats live indoors anyway, and many people’s lifestyles are not conducive to keeping pets inside, it is possible to provide a home for one or two feral cats. Many people living in rural areas are plagued by rats and moles and in such instances feral cats could be used as an alternative to environmentally unfriendly and inhumane options like poisoning.

Although feral cats will hunt, they must be fed to supplement their diet and keep them healthy. Certain prey like moles are not palatable to cats. Feral cats can also be used as “working cats” to deter rodents on farms and at hospitals, hotels, factories, restaurants etc. Institutions such as old age and children’s homes could also benefit from keeping a small group of sterilised feral cats, which would also provide interest and interaction for residents. In instances where this has been done, it has been found to be good for people’s mental and physical health.

The famous Coliseum cats in Rome who live among the ruins in Torre Argentina, are a huge tourist attraction and the Italians consider them to be an important part of the Roman “bio-cultural heritage”. These feral cats are featured in many coffee table books and on postcards, and tourists travelling to Italy always expect to see them when visiting the Coliseum. For more on this take a look at their website .

Similarly, the free roaming cats of the Greek islands of Mykonos, Paros and Naxos have also been the subject of picture books. Local fishermen are known to share the damaged bits from catches with the cats, who in turn keep the rats away.

Relocating feral cats is generally not a good idea, but in exceptional circumstances, this can be done. For example, many of the so-called “racetrack cats” in the USA provide a necessary and valuable service by reducing the rodent population in the stables and thereby eliminating the need for exterminators and dangerous chemicals. The cats perform a dual function and also provide company for the racehorses who are by nature, nervous and highly strung. At some of these racing stables workers report that the horses all have their favourite cat or cats and that some even allow “their cat” to “ride” them!

Advantages for feral cats

The cats can enjoy all the freedom of their wild ancestors, and have food, water, shelter and care on hand when needed.

Advantages for humans

The cats provide natural pest control.

Their largely natural existence tends to render them tough, strong and healthy and generally they require minimal effort to look after.

For stable owners they offer company and therapeutic benefits because of their ability to calm horses.

You can help alleviate the pet overpopulation crisis by giving homeless animals a safe home.

What about birds?

Bear in mind that not all cats are able to catch birds and these very opportunistic creatures prefer reptiles, rodents and insects which are far easier to catch.

To prevent cats from killing birds, fit them with proper elasticated collars with bells attached.

Ensure that bird feeders are erected in the middle of your lawn or any flat area away from flowerbeds and shrubs, where the cats are highly visible to birds and they cannot be camouflaged.

Place your feeder on a tall metal pole, which can be greased to stop cats from climbing up.

Place the rest boxes in areas that are hard for cats to reach and position bird tables in the open, so that the cats are unable to ambush them while they are feeding.

Keep your cats fed on top quality food so that they become docile and sedentary and unable to catch birds.

Note: Helping feral cats is time consuming and can be frustrating, emotionally draining and very expensive. It can also be extremely rewarding though, and each situation presents new learning experiences. It is through people’s love and active involvement that further suffering and unwanted litters being born are prevented. In this way the quality of life for one of the most maligned and abused creatures on earth can be greatly improved.