National Feral Cat Day

October 16, 2011 is National Feral Cat Day in the United States. It's important to bring attention to these animals. And there is a difference between Feral Cats and Unowned Cats. Unowned cats once lived in a home, had a family, usually trust people and were unceremoniously dumped by their owners to fend for themselves because they are inconvenient, no longer wanted for whatever reason. Sadly, we live in a disposable society and I've yet to figure out how anyone can throw away a family member.

Birders complain about ferals as do people who find feral colonies in their neighborhood. They do horrible things to these innocent cats whose only "crime" is having been born.

Feral cats deserve better. They deserve to live out their lives in peace and not reproduce more ferals. If the kittens can be socialized early enough, they can make wonderful pets. Other ferals will adapt to life indoors given enough time, love and space to become accustomed to living with people. Cats really are companion animals. They are solitary hunters but the reason you see them in colonies, called Clowders, is because they also crave companionship.

Alley Cat Allies (www.alleycat.org) has been helping these cats for years, along with their group of dedicated volunteers. It is not the only group doing this but it is, perhaps, the largest in the U.S. They are dedicated to ending animal cruelty, killing in shelters and promoting humane treatment of animals. They have shown time and again that the best way to manage feral cats is TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return). Using a humane trap, their volunteers take the cats to spay/neuter clinics where they are neutered and their ear is notched to show that they have, indeed, been rendered sterile, and then they are returned to the place where they had been living to live out their lives in peace, without reproducing more. Eventually, the clowder dies out, unable to reproduce more kittens. It's a simple solution. Volunteers bring food for the cats and do their best to see that they have shelter where they need it.

This year there are about 325 events occurring on National Feral Cat Day to promote awareness. We have come so far yet there is more to be done. Each of us can help in our own way. Instead of killing these beautiful animals, which truly does not end reproduction, a saner more humane way of handling the feral cat issue is at hand. Check out this organization. Sign up for their free newsletter, help if you can. Feral cats need our help not our scorn. Not every cat is fortunate enough to have a loving home. Aren't we, as a people, good enough as human beings to work out a humane resolution to a problem? I think so. Progress has already been made. Let's help that continue.

I don't know about you, but right now, I'm going to kiss my cat.