Untamed Friends

We’ve all seen them, stray cats darting under parked cars to get out of the rain, cats living in parking lots or even our own backyards. They are often called feral cats, but that term can be misleading. These cats may have never had human contact, or they may have once been family pets who were lost or intentionally abandoned. It may be more accurate to follow the Homeless Cat Network’s lead and just call them homeless cats.

Some homeless cats live solitary lives while others live in colonies. All cats set up territories and keep other cats from moving in. One of the unexpected results of removing stray cats from an area is that more cats move in! The best deterrent to prevent an escalating cat population is to trap and spay or neuter them and then release them to their former home, keeping them fed as they live out their lives. There are a number of caring volunteers who dedicate themselves to this purpose. They feed these colonies on a regular basis, and they provide simple shelters so these special cats can stay warm and dry during winter storms.

I have very fond memories of homeless cats who have added richness to my life. When I lived in the Mission District in San Francisco, cats traveled through my yard all the time. I started putting out food and set up a little shelter in a protected part of the yard.

Before long, a black and white cat became a regular feeder who showed up every morning and evening. He would hiss at me as I passed him on the walk to refill his food dish. I set a trap and took him in to be neutered. Stinky was a great buddy, but he never let me pet him. Our friendship lasted for years. Once, I helped remove some cats who had been abandoned in a house. One cat refused to respond to socialization, so I decided to take her to my yard to live with Stinky. I learned firsthand that cats set up territories and fight to keep new cats out. For years Stinky occupied and controlled the very back half of the yard while the dilute Torti occupied and controlled the side yard. Each would always hiss when catching sight of the other.

Homeless cats need us even more during these cold and wet months. If you have a homeless cat in your backyard or near your workplace, make him your new friend this winter. Pets In Need has traps available to help you catch these cats to get them neutered. If a litter appears in your yard, we can provide you with help and supplies to raise and socialize them. Pets In Need also makes donated food available to caregivers of homeless cats. For more information about how you can help, visit www.maddiesfund.org/help/feral_cats.html, or send a self-addressed stamped envelope to me at Pets In Need.

Help a homeless cat this winter. You’ll be glad you did.

 
Founded in 1965, Pets In Need receives no federal, state or local government support.

Published in the San Mateo County Times, November 23, 2002