The ferral cats that are being fed at restuarants and neighborhoods are carriers of disease. I am all for the lovers of them getting them fixed and slowing down the multiples of them but please stop feeding them. They are scavengers and get plenty to eat out in the wilds which is what they should be accustomed to. Again, they are carriers of disease.

Rogue Cats
 

i saw the title of this post and i thought a new music group called the Rogue Cats were playing out on the patio! that is why i read all these posts and realize i am really probably the only nutty woman in the villages who thought this! oh, well, have to laugh at myself and let everyone else in on the joke.

Reading some of the comments at first led me to believe the cats were tame. However, if they are truly feral, they will never be able to become someone's pet.

Killing the cats will not irradicate the problem. Once the current cats are removed, other cats will find the food and shelter behind the restaurant and take their place.

When the cats are humanely trapped and taken to the vet for their spay/neuter, they must receive their rabies and other innoculations before being released into their home territory. The vet will "tip" the left ear, which is a sign to all animal control staff, vets, and the rest of the world that the cats have been sterilized. (tipping = removing 1/4 of the left ear). Every year thereafter, it is best to retrap them so they can receive their shots. This will eliminate any fear of disease.

The average lifespan of a feral cat is 2 years. With a caretaker, their lifespan is 10 years. If a group/individual steps forward to TNR (trap,neuter,release) and care for this feral colony, that could include providing proper cat food. But until someone steps up to care for this little colony, it is a good thing they are being fed. Feral cats would not beg from humans unless they are hungry. Feral cats avoid humans if possible.

After doing a quick Google search, I can't find a rescue group near TV that works with feral cats. I will volunteer to contact the area shelters, humane societies, etc. next week to see if they are aware of any colony caretakers nearby.

This week I can't spare a minute (working to beat tax deadline of Oct. 15). For those who volunteer at animal agencies, why not ask if anyone knows about a feral cat group?

nope
 

I thought so too

You are not the only one...
 

With all the posts about the music at Havana, I also first thought of a musical group, even thought they might be a "Stray Cats" cover band..Duh!

As for these stray cats, IMHO I do not want to be eating around potential disease bearing animals.
_

Feral cat information.
 

Bonny,

Although that's a noble thought, I believe it would be a mistake to even try to catch this cat. It's wild and will not take kindly to your paws.

JLK

Oh, chachacha, please do not feel like the Lone Ranger. I thought the exact same thing when I read the title of this thread.

In fact, my mind immediately took a little sideways trip (as it often does) and I thought about the band Stray Cats and remembered how much I liked their sound......and then......it gets worse.....I had already started hoping that this band Rogue Cats would be there at Havana when I get to TV and I had put in place a mental plan to be sure to go to see them. Geez. All that from a thread title. (sigh)

But, alas, all I can do now is download a little Stray Cats to the iPod. Remember those guys? What a nice, easy, laid-back sound. Remember "Stray Cat Strut"?

http://www.last.fm/music/Stray+Cats/_/Stray+Cat+Strut

Boomer

I believe we have an old 33 1/3 Stray Cats LP album in the basement.:)

Feral Cats sounds like a heavy metal band...

Basement storage in The Villages is kind of limited (non-existent). I see a yard-sale in your future.:beer3:

advice please
 

I have a "feral" cat ???? in my house right now. Cute kitten, probably 4-5 mths. old. HOWEVER, he is too much for me to handle. Son brought him home from work, thought he was "so cute", and I was considering getting a kiitten anyway. Now, need to find a home for him - like immediately, or find out where to take him, like ASPCA or Humane Society where he won't be euthanized. Do not want him destroyed!!!

BTW, for those of you thinking: "Let your son take care of this", son moved to California last week and I hadn't totally decided to find a new home for TACO until after son left. Taco isn't getting enough attention with just me now. I work too many hours and can't give this kitten the attention he needs. Any advice, phone numbers, etc. will be much appreciated.

cute kitten
 

Just wanted to post a thought: It could be somebody dumped him off (above cat Taco) as Patrick said he never saw him at the restaurant before that night ??? I'm thinking this because Taco is very affectionate, loves to be petted and stroked and actually talks to me in kitty meow-eze. Seems really tame other than when he rips through family room like he's on a horizontal trampoline. Poor little guy, just needs to expend energy and exercise. So maybe he is not feral at all! Nonetheless, I have to find a home for him darn soon so would appreciate any suggestions.

Definitely does not sound like a feral cat. Please call Barbara Irwin at Pet Rescue (352-753-2321) to find a home for this kitten. I've had some experience with feral cats and believe me you cannot pick them up without risking serious bites and scratches.

Taco doesn't sound like any feral kitten I have ever had - we have fed feral cats for many years after getting them fixed; our house was at the end of a road in the hills and people would dump animals there all the time.

Ferals will not let you touch them.


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