Feral Cat Resources
A feral cat is a domesticated cat living in a feral or wild state and behaving in a feral (i.e. untamed) manner. They are distinguished from wild cats since they are all domestic cats (Felis catus) that usually live without human care as opposed to being a member of a truly wild species (such as bobcats or mountain lions). Feral cats are generally cats that grow up without direct human interaction and usually cannot be tamed. Feral kittens, however, can generally be socialized to live with humans if they are removed from a feral colony before they are about fourteen weeks old and placed in a home situation. Some feral cats live in colonies where they are live-trapped, sterilized, vaccinated, and routinely fed by a human caretaker who visits the colony periodically, generally daily. Feral cats that have been sterilized and are maintained in colonies usually have the tip of an ear removed so they can be easily identified as having been sterilized.The following is a list of feral cat resources in Monterey County:
- Animal Friends Rescue Project
Rents traps and provides advice regarding trapping feral cats to have them altered and released back to a location where they will be safe and cared for. Spay/neuter vouchers are also available on a limited basis. Email AFRP or call (831) 333-0722 for more info.
Click here for more information including how to trap feral cats
- SPCA of Monterey County
Offers low-cost spay and neuter surgeries for feral cats.
Call their spay/neuter clinic for information: from Monterey - (831) 373-2631; from Salinas 422-4721, ext. 218
Click here for more information.
Other sources of info regarding feral cats:
The following links are provided for your convenience and are not intended to be a complete listing of all resources available. Because animal issues can be very emotional and polarizing, we believe that it is in your interest to become well informed regarding all sides of an issue and to then draw your own conclusions based on a critical analysis of the information you have gathered. The Coalition for Companion Animals and its member organizations do not endorse organizations or their positions on issues.- Alley Cat Allies
Alley Cat Allies, is a national nonprofit clearinghouse for information on feral and stray cats. For more than a decade Alley Cat Allies has advocated trap-neuter-return (TNR) - the most humane and effective method to reduce feral cat populations. Their website is a wealth of information and resources. - California Department of Fish and Game, Habitat Conservation Planning
Branch
Urban and Rural Cats: California, United States, and International information relating to urban, rural and free roaming cats. - Cats Indoors!
“Cats Indoors!” is a division of the American Bird Conservancy dedicated to the principle that cats belong inside homes for their own good as well as that of wild birds and mammals. - National Geographic News
An article presenting the many sides of the emotional feral cat issue. - Project Purr
Project Purr is a Santa Cruz, CA based nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to feral cats and kittens. Their goal is to alleviate the suffering of feral cats by decreasing cat overpopulation and controlling the spread of disease through a humane no-kill Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) program in Santa Cruz county.