Feral Cat Resources

HOW-TO BASICS

NEW! Feeding and Caring for Bottle Babies (.pdf)
This resource gives detailed instructions for caring for "bottle babies": kittens who have been orphaned or abandoned.

Socializing Very Shy or Fearful Cats (.pdf)
This manual describes a step-by-step process for socializing very shy or fearful cats. The process was used by Best Friends staff and volunteers to socialize cats from the Great Kitty Rescue.

Solutions to Cat-Related Issues (.pdf)
Whether you love or loathe community (a.k.a. feral) cats, trap/neuter/return (TNR) is the answer to effectively reducing the number of these cats.

Humane Trapping Instructions for Community Cats (.pdf)
The following are guidelines recommended by Best Friends for trapping community (a.k.a. feral) cats.

Community Cat Relocation (.pdf)
Moving cats to another permanent outdoor location is a viable alternatie to trapping and killing.

Hiding in Plain Sight: Feral Cat Colonies Thrive with TLC and TNR (.pdf)
This article from the May/June 2008 issue of Best Friends magazine provides an overview of trap/neuter/return (TNR) as a means for humanely controlling feral cat populations. A sidebar addresses the issue of feral cats and birds.

How to Create a Grassroots Community Program to Help Feral Cats (.pdf)
This comprehensive manual from Alley Cat Allies is a blueprint for creating a successful program to help feral cats and motivating people in your community to support the project. Includes samples of promotional posters, press releases and necessary forms.

A Few Neutered Cats (.pdf)
This brief resource offers five ways to raise just enough money to get a feral cat colony spayed and neutered.

HEALTH & MEDICAL

Feral Cat Q&A for Veterinarians (.pdf)
A two-page brochure by Dr. Brenda Griffin, DVM written for other veterinarians. Provides all-purpose answers to basic questions about feral cats, TNR, spay, neuter and caring for ferals.

Feral Cat and Spay/Neuter Videos (.pdf)
Provides information and a form for ordering two videos produced by Dr. Brenda Griffin and the College of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University. The videos are titled "Working with Feral Cats in Practice" and "Promoting Pet Health and the Human-Animal Bond Through Spay/Neuter Counseling."

PUBLIC POLICY

Playing God
If you've ever helped take care of a group of feral cats in your neighborhood, you know that it can be one of life's truly rewarding experiences. Best Friends Magazine editorial by Michael Mountain, January 2001 issue.

Blaming the Victims (.pdf)
Cats have always been an easy scapegoat. The SARS epidemic and ban on feral cats in Florida are only two recent examples. Blaming animals is not going to solve our problems. An editorial by Michael Mountain.

Living in the Gray Zone (.pdf)
Why feral cats are becoming the scapegoat of choice for the damage that people are doing to the environment. An article from the Best Friends magazine.

Against Mandatory Cat Licensing (.pdf)
This position statement of the San Francisco SPCA explains the detrimental effects of cat licensing.

The Fight Over Ferals: Part One
Many cities are now promoting trap/neuter/return as the right kind of care for ferals. Surprisingly, some of the nation's largest humane organizations advocate killing them. Part One of our Special Feature on Ferals.

The Fight Over Ferals: Part Two

TNR's Role in Achieving No-Kill: Extending the Circle of Compassion (.pdf)
Read Ed Boks' impassioned speech given at the first International Feral Cat Summit in New York City on National Feral Cat Day, October 16, 2004.

WEBSITE LINKS

Alley Cat Allies: Fact sheets, public policy information, action alerts, informational videos, and more from the national clearinghouse for feral cat information.

FORUM TRANSCRIPTS

What Do You Say When They Just Want The Cats Gone?: Becky Robinson, national director of Alley Cat Allies, talks about ways to get your elected officials, animal control and neighbors on your side. 

Ferals, ferals, everywhere, and not sure what to do? Nathan Winograd of Tompkins County SPCA

Working With and Caring For Feral Cats: Zoe Carson of Alley Cat Allies shares down-to-earth advice and resources.

View list of previous forum topics and complete transcripts in No More Homeless Pets forum archive.