How to Care for a Feral Cat Colony

Feral cats have approximately a life span of two to three years. On average only 2-3 kittens that are born from a feral cat survive and reach young adulthood. Feral cats usually have short lives where they die from disease, starvation, weather climates, predation, cars, and even from the hand of human beings. They are the scavenging survivors that want to live just as much as you and I. That is when a caretaker comes in. They make sure the feral cats have consistent food and water and medical care (includes: trap, neuter, return, vaccinations, sick visits). Caretakers significantly increase the life span of the cats they care for. Caretakers are essential for the health of feral cats. 

If you are a new feral cat caretaker or are interested in being one follow these steps:

1. Begin by regularly feeding them. Set up a specific area where they will get food and water. Pour the food into separate piles so it helps prevent food aggression between the cats. Bring multiple water dishes for them to drink out of. Make sure that some of the bowls are shallow if kittens are in the area, so you know for sure they can drink out of them. If a clean water source isn't available at the area, be sure to bring water with you so you can refill the bowls with the water.
2. Make a regular feeding schedule. You will have to determine how frequently you need to come based on how many cats there are and how fast the food goes. Try to go at the same time whenever you go because cats are creatures of habit and routine. It might be everyday, every other day, or as much as you can manage. It depends on the situation. Make sure they always have clean and fresh water. Bring paper towels to wipe the bowels out to clean them.
3. As you start working with a colony you might realize which cats are in the colony and which cats are outsiders (usually newcomers or members that aren't related to the colony). The outsiders will hang out usually some feet away from the colony members, but close enough to the food source. After the members of the colony are done eating, the outsiders will then eat the food the colony left behind. If this exists in the area you are taking care of, it would be a good idea to put food and water out for them in the area they hangout in to ensure that they getting adequate water and food. This will also prevent possible fights over territory between the colony and the outsiders.

TIP: I have found automatic food and water containers to be helpful at times especially if they are in your yard. It might save a trip or two.

After the feral cats are consistently getting food and water it is time to trap them to give them medical care. Feral cats are trapped in order to fix, vaccinate, and deworm them. Fixing feral cats stops them from reproducing and it reduces the amount feral males fight with each other which spreads diseases that are only transferred through blood and saliva. Vaccinations prevent feral cats from contracting and then spreading diseases. After they receive their medical care and they are ready to go back out into the wild, they are released at the same place they came from. This process is called trap, neuter, return, or TNR. Vaccinations are not a necessity, but it is highly recommended. Almost all vets provide these services for half of the cost. Use the vet you already do, or shop around for a price you like.

1. Make sure you have an appointment with your chosen vet or make sure you can be a walk in before you trap the feral cat(s). The ideal situation is that you trap a cat in the night and bring it to the vet the next morning. When you have made those arrangements you can get ready to trap. Before you trap a cat make sure you thoroughly research it and know what you are doing. You can read my hub on How to Humanely Trap a Feral Cat.
2. If there are kittens or pregnant feral cats in the area, read my hub on Pregnant Feral Cats and Taming Feral or Semi-Feral Kittens. (currently unpublished)
3. Once you have trapped the cat and it is brought in to the vet he will fix the cat. If you chose, he will vaccinate and deworm the cat as well. He will also cut off one of the tips of the cat's ear that way it lets you and others know it has already been fixed. This is essential because it prevents the cat from getting trapped again and prevents another surgery to find out that it has already been fixed. Without notching the ear, it can create extra stress for the cat.
4. The cat will stay at the vet over night because of the surgery and it will be ready to get picked up the next day. The cat can be brought back to its same outside environment the night you pick it up, unless the vet says otherwise.
5. The cat must be released from the same place it was trapped. Never relocate feral cats. The only time feral cats should be relocated is in the rare instance that they will immediately die from unnatural causes like poisoning or euthanization. In the instance that you have to relocate a feral cat or entire colony pick a spot that is accessible to you and that will be entirely safe for the cat(s). Relocation is to be thoroughly thought about.
6. After all of the cats in the colony are fixed, continue to feed them like you have been. Keep your eye out for any newcomers into the colony. Then TNR and vaccinate the new cat. Also observe the colony to see if any of the feral cats have signs of sickness and disease. If you think one is sick, trap it and bring it in to the vet for treatment. This step never goes away, but it happens infrequently.
7. It is a good idea to make charts for all of the cats. Their names (if you name them), age, description, medical history (including the services that were performed and their dates, the place that did the services, receipts, previous pregnancies, etc.) and any other noteworthy things should be on the chart. If a cat had kittens and you found homes for them, put that in the chart as well, along with the adopter's information. Put it all in a binder so it is in one place. If you care for cats at multiple areas, separate the areas with binder dividers. This helps you stay organized and helps you keep track of all the cats you care for. It could also save your cats and your investment if some people want to make a stink about them. It is your proof that all of the cats are cared for and have received all of the services that you say you have provided for them. Remember that not everyone are fans of feral cats like we are, and some will not stop until the cats are dead. Records are extremely important for all of the cat's safety because they are proof in the court of law. You never know if or when a hater will stumble across your colony. Be prepared for anything, because anything can happen.
8. Sit back and relax, knowing that you have made a difference.

COLD

If you live an an area where it rains a lot or snows even a little bit, you might want to build a cat shelter. It will keep the rain, wind, and snow out. There are good resources online that will show you how to build a shelter of your own or you can visit www.alleycatallies.com. Don't use blankets as a shelter material because it will absorb the moisture from the cats, leaving them cold and wet. Straw is a good material because it will keep them warm as they dry out. You are trying to prevent the cats from freezing, getting sick, getting frost bite, or dying.

HEAT

If you live in an area where it ges really hot, you want to make sure that the cats have enough water to drink. Put extra water out for them when the temperature starts to rise. You are trying to prevent overheating, dehydration, and death.

1. You might find out that someone is already caring for the cats when you find a new area. Don't cross the area off your list. Ask them if they need any help. Maybe they only give the cats food and water and have not implemented TNR. You can TNR the cats and let the other caretaker feed them or you can collaborate. Maybe they can help you TNR and you can switch days feeding and watering the cats. Maybe they know of another area where feral cats need help. ask questions. They know valuable information about the cats in the area. If they are experienced they can show you some tricks of the trade to get you on your way to being a feral cat master!  
2. Maybe you will run into someone who wants to help. Educate them. Knowledge is power and together we can make a difference. 
3. Spread the word on feral cats. You would be surprised by how many people don't know what the word feral means or that there is even such a thing as a wild cat.
4. Always remember that males are still capable of reproducing for no later than a  month after they get fixed. They still have some reproductive fluid left in their bodies even though they are fixed.