Just What is a Community or Feral Cat?

What is a community cat?

How Does a Community or Feral Cat Differ from a Stray Cat?

On their website Alley Cat Allies gives us detailed facts about the bullet points we have listed below.

  • Outdoor cats have existed alongside humans for 10,000 years.
  • Feral cats are not socialized to people.
  • Feral cats should not be taken to pounds and shelters.
  • Feral kittens can be adopted.
  • Feral cats live healthy lives in their outdoor homes.
  • People are the cause of wildlife depletion.
  • Catch and kill doesn’t work.
  • Trap-Neuter-Return does work.
  • You can make a difference and save lives.

Alley Cat Allies defines a feral cat as follows:

  • Is a cat who has either never had any contact with humans or her contact with humans has diminished over time. She is not socialized to people and survives on her own outdoors. Most feral cats are not likely to ever become lap cats or enjoy living indoors.
  • Can have kittens who can be socialized at an early age and adopted into homes.

Alley Cat Allies defines a stray cat as follows:

  • Is a cat who has been socialized to people at some point in her life, but has left or lost her indoor home, as well as most human contact and dependence.
  • Can become feral as her contact with humans dwindles.
  • Can under the right circumstances become a pet cat once again. Stray cats that are re-introduced to a home after living outdoors may require a period of time to re-acclimate; they may be frightened and wary after spending time outside away from people.

Lake Norman Resources for the Community or Feral Cat

In the Lake Norman community we are very lucky to have the Lucky Cats Program. It assists community or feral cats as well as stray and pet cats.  They operate a trap/spay/neuter/return program for community cats.  Additioally they offer low cost spay/neuter programs for owned and stray cats.

You can become involved too. They always have a need for volunteers for special and/or on going projects.  Lake Norman Lucky Cat Program, Inc. has an ongoing need for:

  • Good quality, “in date”, canned and dry cat food.
  • Gift cards:  Lowe’s, Home Depot, PetSmart, Petco, Staple’s, Office Depot, and Gas Stations
  • Towels – bath size
  • VOLUNTEERS!  Volunteering is a work of heart.  Thank you for sharing yours with the Lucky Cat Program.

Becoming involved is a great way to celebrate National Feral Cat Day on October 16.

Feral or community cat

About Beth Harwell

Beth Leatherman Harwell and her husband, Billy Harwell own and operate a local pet sitting business, Dog Walkers & More at Coddle Creek, LLC. Beth and Billy take care of your dogs, cats, birds, fish and small caged pets in the comfort of your own home. Services are provided in Mooresville, Davidson, Cornelius and Mt. Ulla, NC.
Beth is a retired clinical social worker turned business owner. She blogs about pet care needs and the human animal bond.
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