Today is National Feral Cat Day!
National Feral Cat Day was started back in 2001 by Alley Cat Allies as a way to share information and educate people about feral cats. Alley Cat Allies is the only national advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of feral cats. Their mission is to end the killing of feral cats and lead the movement for their humane care.
Given that I was sort of a feral cat…now formerly…I thought I’d share some facts about them. Did you know that…
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A feral cat is a wild animal that is of the same species as a domesticated cat. These cats are often the offspring of unaltered runaway cats or strays. They usually will not like humans unless they are socialized as kittens.
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Feral cats live in forests, apartment complexes, and restaurant parking lots. Basically, they go where they can get food.
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Feral cats are carnivores, but they often end up eating garbage.
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There are an estimated 60 million to 120 million feral cats within the U.S. alone.
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After age 6 months, cats can produce 3 litters of kittens per year. These litters have about two to four kittens in them on average. Unfortunately, only a small amount of feral kittens survive.
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Feral cats in managed colonies are approximately as healthy and live as long as their indoor counterparts.
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Virtually 100% of the feral cats that are brought into our nation’s animal control pounds and shelters are killed.
When I was caught by the guy and the lady with the yellow hair, they thought about taking me to a shelter but they knew that without proper socializing, there was no way that I’d ever be adopted and I probably wouldn’t be here today. So they decided to keep me and socialize me themselves. Besides, I’m so darn cute, they couldn’t resist me! 🙂 And the rest, as they say, is history!
In honor of National Feral Cat Day, I made the lady with the yellow hair send Alley Cat Allies some green papers. I hope you ask your humans to do the same. Or click HERE to visit the Alley Cat Allies website and learn about other ways you can help the feral cats.
36 Responses to “National Feral Cat Day 2012”
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Great post. You have a wonderful family to help you become formerly feral.
What a great post about the feral cats. Zoey, you are the perfect example of how a feral cat can make a great pet. It just takes a little patience. Tell that lady with the yellow hair, thanks for helping the feral cats with some green papers. That is terrific
With kindness, love and encouragement many more feral cats can take their place in the home environment as you did Zoey – we would like to thank the lady with the yellow hair for taking care of you.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
What a great post but with very sad information in it. Feral cats deserve more.
Alfie was born feral ~ and we are glad he was rescued and gotchad too ~ and we’re glad you were too. xx
Laila was born feral like you, Zoey. We are both one of the lucky ones!
we have supported Alley Cat Allies since the beginning cuz if not for them Mom would not have known how to help all of us.
I sure am glad you are formerly sweet Zoey! We love all feral kitties and try to do our best for them every single day!
Great post….we are glad your people decided to do the right thing for you and give you a forever home Zoey. It is sad that people think shelters are “helping” feral cats…..
fabulous post! So glad to see so many blogging about this most important day!
We have long supported Alley Cat Allies. And Gemini is even sort of feral-
A furry good post. There should be a place for all kitties to be loved and kept safe.
Zoey, I’m glad you were rescued too. I wasn’t feral, but I was taken to the shelter. This is where Mom got me. They would have killed me if she hadn’t come when she did.
xoxo Kassey
Zoey, you are a shining example of a feral cat who’s made the leap! 🙂
Wonderful info! You’ll love our feral cat photos and Q & A with an amazing rescuer and photographer!
Never knew there was such a day until today and tons of facts too. Feral cats are wonderful pets to people who have a clue.
eye wuz considered semi feral two zoey N we both be blessed we finded R forever homes…. frank lee after what eye went thru, eye wuz WAY glad to get of de streets….heerez hopin all ferals can find forever homes as well as compassion N loves…..
butter lover boomer o cat
Great post! Happy National Feral Cat Day. How appropriate that Precious posted fur us today as she was feral, too. We luv our formerly feral furbabies!
Great message, Zoey! I’m so glad your human gave some money to Alley Cat Allies – I am having a commenthon on my blog so that my human will do the same!
Zoey, you did a great job getting the message out about feral kitties! We know there’s no way they could have resisted you so we’re glad you have such a loving home now!
Zoey, we canz see why you charmed them into keeping you! Your folks support a pawsomse org when they donate to Alley Cat Allies!
Zoey well said and my sweet little friend you landed in one fine family
Hugs Madi your BFFF
Great job, Zoey! WE are glad you shared about Feral Cat Day, and are glad you are FORMERLY feral. 🙂
Miss Zoey, I’m happy your humans kept you too, and share your photos online. You are quite darling and we are happy to see you!
xoxo
Ms. Stella O’Houligan
Our Leo is a former feral too. They sure make great pets/companions/buddies!
It’s amazing to see how many of the cats in the blogosphere are former ferals. Hooray for former ferals!
A very thought provoking post y’all put up today for remembering all feral kitties.
We used to have a colony behind our building last winter that one of my elderly neighbors kept fed. And then the mean woman who calls herself a “Manager” called the Animal Police on them. Sad end, as there are no safe places here for strays.
When next we have green papers, we will surely send in some. In memory of Gentleman Beau. (do you know? Last Tuesday was Our Gotcha Day!)
Precious girl, I am so happy for you and your bloggie was very informative. Xxxooo
What a great story, Zoey! We were all feral too. We katz are the lucky ones. Let’s hope every cat is a lucky cat soon.
We are purring fer all ferals today!
You ARE pretty darn cute, Zoey. *I* was a feral also, and I know *I* am pretty darn cute too. I fink we were boaf pretty lucky, but shhhhhh. Don’t admit it to the Humans or we’ll nefur hear the end of it.
Great post Zoey! who could resist you, really?!? 😀 we’re glad to be ‘former’ ferals too and our mom didn’t want to take any of us to the shelter for the same reasons. Alley Cat Allies is a pawsome organization!
Pip, Smidgen, Minnie
Happy Feral Cat Day. I was/am feral too. We have a colony in our parking garage who had to fend for themselves while the garage was under repairs this summer.
Happy Feral Cat Day Zoey…our Madison was born to a feral momma and he was the only kitten to survive his litter. His momma was wild and she went to the Rainbow Bridge when he was still a wee kitten. Our friends socialized him and we adopterated him. Our Cecilia and Nigel sometimes act feral but we think it’s beause they were abandoned and spent too much time on their own becoming fearful of humans. They are love bugs….but both of them seem to be able to read minds. Feral cats need to be in tune to everything to survive, and it’s heartbreaking to see them not be able to let all of it go.
Purrs,
Cory
Zoey, we are so glad your peeps kept you! We missed NFC day, so will have to do a belated post. Concats on your good luck!
Great information, and thanks for donating!
The cats that wonder onto our street seem to be more stray than feral. Mommy thinks they come from the next street where the cats aren’t neutered and when the male cats grow up, they are kicked out by the alpha and they wander onto our street which would explain why 99% of the strays that end up here are males. Mommy earned the title “The Butcher” for her role in getting these strays neutered. Poor Mommy.
For information about the prevalence of rabies in feral cats google “Rabies Outbreak in Westchester County and the Connection To Feral Cats” and “The Magic Rabies Shot?” and “Undiagnosed Human Rabies Deaths?” and “The Failure of Feral Cat TNR Programs To Protect Wildlife and the Public Health.”