Today is National Feral Cat Day — a day for everybuddy to think about the outdoor kitties. Y’know, the ones that look like they don’t have a home? Feral cats live in every community. They’re the same as domestic cats ‘cept they’re not socialized to humans so they can’t be adopted into forever homes.
Did you know that being killed in an animal shelter is the #1 documented cause of death for cats in the U.S.? Over 70% of cats that enter animal shelters are killed and nearly all feral cats brought to shelters are killed right away ‘cuz they’re not socialized and can’t be adopted into homes. Jeez, that is so sad.
The She Devil Zoey…okay, okay..I’ll stop calling her that…is our semi-feral. When the mom and dad-guy trapped her, she was wild and scared of everything. The mom thought about taking her to a shelter instead of having her come live here, but she knew knew that without proper socializing, there was no way Zoey would ever be adopted and she probably wouldn’t be here today. Hmmm…maybe that wouldn’t have been so bad. Okay, okay…that would be bad. So Zoey came to live with us and, seriously, she’s come a long way from what she once was.
But most feral cats really can’t be socialized so the best and humane way to help them is through the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program, which keeps feral cats from breeding and helps them and humans to co-exist peacefully. It also ends alot of bad behaviors associated with outdoor cats like yowling, fighting, spraying and roaming.
Thankfully there are organizations like Alley Cat Allies whose mission is to advocate for the humane treatment of feral cats. Click HERE to visit the Alley Cat Allies website and learn about ways you can help the feral cats.
In honor of National Feral Cat Day, I vow to be nice to Zoey. I promise not to hiss at her or call her the She Devil. Good thing this Feral Cat Day is only one day a year! Okay, okay…I promise I’ll be nice to her other days, too!
38 Responses to “What’s That Wally Doing?”
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
Great post!
Happy Wednesday, furriends!
That is a wonderful program, we wish it was going on everywhere. We are so happy for Zoey and we are proud of her for how far she has come since coming to live with you. Hugs and nose kisses
That was very interesting Wally – we didn’t realise that Zoey was a feral cat – we just thought she was a rescue from a shelter.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
Great post Wally. Feral cats are nice cats and can be a good friend. They live just fine outside as long as they have food and shelter. Wally, thanks for being nice to Zoey. Take care.
What a great post, Wally!
mighty brotherly of you wally. and a very nice post.
Wally,
We think this is a great announcement about feral cats. We know of many people who are supporting feral colonies and actively TNR. It is a shame how people don’t appreciate these cats and still try to get rid of them. It is always a battle it feels.
For sure you can be nice to Zoey for just one day…that’s not so bad!
thank you for this impawtant info, feral cats ROCK!
Wally you and Ernie and your peeps saw beyond Zoey’s behavior. TLC is magic.
On last night’s news there was a sad multicat feral story. Apparently the sub human was collecting them in a trailer. She said she had plans to open a cat rescue..no way do I believe that and she was cited!
Hugs
MADI your BFFF
Hi Wally!!
We is really glad your humans saved Zoey. It is so very sad how many kitties are euthanized each year at shelters. Thank you for sharing the information about feral cat day. It is a very important day, indeed!
Purrs,
Carmine, Milita, and Jewel
We are so glad Zoey was able to come and stay with you and that your Mom and Dad worked with her until she felt safe. Our Gracie was and is still very fraidy of most things because she was semi feral but she is and always has been very gentle and loving but oh so scared.
We feral cats rock!
Just sayin’…
Purrs,
Nissy
Zoey is a lucky girl to have found you! We are fortunate in that our local shelter now has a feral TNR program called Project Guardian. We used it for “our” feral Bella, and we spread the word whenever we can.
nice post Wally ,thank you for doing a great job,xx Speedy
Zoey is very lucky to have been found by your mom, Wally. Alley Cat Allies do a great job in America ; we have some similar groups here in Switzerland that do the same (we listed them in the page Help a Cat of our blog). We don’t have a National Feral Cat Day here. Purrs
Oh Zoey darling, you pretty girl. I am so glad that you are with the Lady with Yellow Hair. Love you bunches sweetheart.
Awww Wally, that was such an impawtant and nice post. I am sure that you are nicer that you claim to be!
Great post, Wally! We love feral cats here.
TNR totally works, and we are sure glad that your family gave Zoey the chance she needed.
be nice Wally…. 🙂 this is a great post – and a good reminder to those that mistakenly think that taking ferals to a “shelter” is good for them.
Happy National Feral Cat Day to Zoey! That statistic about the #1 cause of death for cats is awful.
While we were previously from the streets, Mommy doesn’t feel we are very feral like…except for Cosmo and Ling. They were caught when they were a few weeks old and boy were they rude at first! Hah!
We hope more people will consider TNR. We’re so glad your Mom and Dad made Zoey an Island Cat!
Wally, that is a really great post for National Feral Cat Day, you did a great job explaining things. We are so happy that Island Mom & Dad took Zoey in and gave her such a loving home.
Wally, it was very nice of you to post this information on feral kitties! We’re so glad that Zoey is your sisfur and so happy with all of you! Yes, even you! 🙂
Despite your ambivalent cattitude towards your sisfur, you wrote a good post Wally!! xx
What a great post, Wally! We are so glad your pawrents decided to live with Zoey. Now she is very sweet and happy girl 🙂
Perhaps I can get Ichiro to be nice to semi-feral Gemini?
Great post, Wally! We think that examples of ferals — and former ferals — living quality lives is often the best explanation of why they deserve care and attention. We’re glad that your parents decided to keep Zoey and make her part of your family.
Hey Wally, you know well all love that pretty Zoey. We love feral kitties and we love those who help them.
We are glad Zoey came around enough to be part of your family , Wally. We know (deep, deep, deep, deep, down)….you love her!!
Happy ,happy belated birthday to your Mama! Did we ever tell you that we think your Mama is extra special? We think your Mama is extra special! 🙂
the critters in the cottage xo
Whoa! You nice to Zoey. Hey, how come I never see pictures of you and Ernie socializing with Zoey? I was semi feral when I came here and like to say I still am but I’ve come a long way. When cats get sent to the shelter, they don’t have to be kept for a certain amount of time. They get put down right away.
Awww, Zoey is so cute. You need to let her appear more often. She’s a cutie.
We are with you all the way! Our MMM was feral, and after all these years, she still doesn’t fully trust, but she can be so loving when she does.
Even though Zoey is your sisfur, as a good Cat Scout and ranked #1 on the Leader Board, it would behove you to treat her nicely. You don’t know around what corner the Den Master may be lurking. This was an excellent post for Feral Cat Day! You should get a couple of Karma points for that. Purrs and hugs, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
what a wonderful post wally. thanks for educating all of us.
We’re so glad Miss Zoey found you guys.
I’m sure Zoey will appreciate it 🙂
I´m pretty sure Zoey will appreciate that you now have promised to be good to her other day´s too 🙂
That was a great post, Wally. I really didn’t know all that, so I’m glad you explained it. I think our cat Conrad was feral….we got him at a shelter, and he was the only cat who didn’t want to see us when we were there. He has always been kind of skittish, but he is still a big love and we’re so happy we brought him home.
Yes, please be nice to Miss Zoey!