What is a feral cat?
A feral cat is born outdoors and is never handled by people as a kitten. They are essentially wild and very afraid of humans. Stray or abandoned cats can also become feral over time. If the cat has kittens, they will also be feral unless they are handled while they are still very small, usually before ten weeks of age. Feral cats have to live on their wits and survive as best they can by hunting, scavenging and eating whatever food scraps are provided for them. They don't fend very well by themselves and tend not to live very long unless there is human intervention so that they are neutered and given food and shelter. Feral kittens suffer desperately and the survival rate is low. They succumb to starvation, untreated illnesses or road traffic accidents.
Do they carry disease?
Feral cats are not a major risk to your health.They can carry the same parasites that tame cats do, such as worms, lice or fleas. Cat fleas and cat lice are specific to cats and don't usually transfer to humans. All of these parasites are easily treated. Cat diseases shared by ferals and tame cats such as cat flu, Feline Leukaemia or FIV cannot be transmitted to humans. Feral cats have a reputation as being sickly and diseased. This is only true when the cats are not fed. Their immune system will be low so they pick up infections. As feral cats are usually not neutered, they can have kittens up to four times a year. Mating between cats transfers illness. Cats in a colony that continue to breed also end up with weakened immune systems. The main illnesses are FIV and Feline Leukaemia. They gradually weaken the immune system so the cat is more vulnerable to cat flu, gum disease and other illnesses.
Will a feral cat attack me?
No. Feral cats are more afraid of you then you are of them, and avoid people at all costs. A feral cat may come to your garden for the simple reason that they are starving. Avoid cornering a feral cat. As with any wild animal, they will panic and
escape and you may get scratched or bitten in the process.
escape and you may get scratched or bitten in the process.
The cat keeps coming up to my window and door, what should I do?
If you are feeding a feral cat, put a shelter down the end of your garden and feed the cat down there. That way they tend to stay in the shelter and near their food. If a cat is still coming up to your window or door, you are earning their trust and they are trying to befriend you. Earning the trust of a being that is afraid of humans is very rewarding.
Feral cats are pooing in my garden, what can I do and can the poo harm me?
If you feed feral cats, it’s best to create a makeshift litter tray with loose soil or sand at the end of your garden and they will usually
use this. If they are randomly pooping, cayenne pepper sprinkled where you don’t want them to go is helpful and non harmful to the cat, Citrus peel is another deterrent. Humans can get worms from animal poop and soil. This can happen when you handle contaminated earth or poo and then touch your lips or mouth so that the worms' eggs are swallowed. Common sense should prevail. If you or your family use the garden, follow normal hygiene precautions. Wash your hands afterwards. Soil itself carries nasty micro-organisms and remember, birds and dogs may also use your garden as a litter tray!
use this. If they are randomly pooping, cayenne pepper sprinkled where you don’t want them to go is helpful and non harmful to the cat, Citrus peel is another deterrent. Humans can get worms from animal poop and soil. This can happen when you handle contaminated earth or poo and then touch your lips or mouth so that the worms' eggs are swallowed. Common sense should prevail. If you or your family use the garden, follow normal hygiene precautions. Wash your hands afterwards. Soil itself carries nasty micro-organisms and remember, birds and dogs may also use your garden as a litter tray!
What should I do if I find a feral or stray cat in my garden with kittens?
If you are willing to help them, the it’s best to get the mother cat neutered when the kittens are five or six weeks of age. Don't disturb the kittens when they are only a few weeks old. The mother cat could feel threatened and move the kittens. Ensure the kittens are handled regularly from three weeks of age to prevent them being afraid of humans. Ask friends and family if they are interested in the kittens and try and rehome them. Don’t give any animal “free to a good home” unless you know the person. Always pass on the message that they have to worm, vaccinate and neuter the kittens.
I am pregnant and there are feral/stray cats in my garden?
Humans can contract toxoplasmosis from handling raw meat, eating undercooked meat or swallowing contaminated cat faeces. Symptoms are generally mild and transient. Acquiring toxoplasmosis during pregnancy however is serious as it can harm your baby. As mentioned above, practice good hygiene if you are in the garden and wash your hands thoroughly when you're done. Pregnant women should also avoid direct contact with cat litter trays. Also avoid direct contact with cat litter trays. Remember the only way you can get toxoplasmosis from cats is by handling contaminated soil and then touching your mouth or lips and swallow some of the material.
The cat in my garden is not my cat but I need to do something. What can I do?
Unfortunately the cat in your garden is no one’s cat and it will be up to your kindness as to whether you help them or not. Limerick Feral Cats has been set up to support people like you who find a feral cat living in or visiting your garden and you don’t know what to do next. We can help humanely trap feral cats to bring to the vets for neutering. This process is known as TNR: trap, neuter and release. We have access to cheaper veterinary care for feral cats, which we can let you avail of. We also offer advice and support along the way.