Feral Cats
Marin County is home to thousands of feral cats. Feral cats are descendants of domesticated felines who were not spayed or neutered and became stray or were abandoned. They often gather in colonies, and most are too afraid of people to let us hold them. If feral cats are not spayed and neutered, the colonies can grow astonishingly fast.
In the past, euthanasia was commonly seen as a "solution" for cats who do not feel comfortable around people. However, widespread euthanasia of feral cats is not only inhumane, it is ineffective. Unsterilized cats can breed so rapidly that any animals who are euthanized are quickly replaced by new kittens.
TNR, or trap, neuter and return, has been demonstrated to be a highly effective and humane way of preventing colonies from growing uncontrollably.
If you know of any cats living outdoors who have no one to take care of them, please call the Marin Humane Society at (415) 883-4621 right away. The best solution for each feral cat depends on its specific situation, so the Marin Humane Society helps ferals in a variety of ways:
• We can connect you to organizations that will safely trap feral cats so that they can be spayed or neutered, such as Marin Friends of Ferals, based in San Rafael, Marin Cat Connection in Tiburon, and Planned Feralhood in West Marin.
• Some veterinarians are willing to spay and neuter feral cats, and the Marin Humane Society hands out vouchers that cover up to $100 of the cost of the surgeries.
• Our own veterinary clinic will spay/neuter, vaccinate and microchip a feral cat for a discounted fee of $75. Our goals are to prevent uncontrolled breeding and to keep ferals healthy, so we are willing to work with you on this price, particularly if you bring us several cats.
• Adoption can be a solution for feral kittens and the small number of adults who tolerate being handled by people. The earlier we bring them into close contact with people, the more likely it is that they will be socialized and adopted.
If you have seen any cats living on their own, please call the Marin Humane Society at (415) 883-4621 and we will work with you to find the best way to improve the welfare of these animals who live all around us.
Feral but Not Forgotten
by Gregg Tully
Most Marin County residents are surprised to learn that they share their neighborhoods and towns with thousands of feral cats. Feral cats are descendants of domesticated felines who strayed from home or were abandoned. They are unaccustomed to human contact and often form colonies comprised of dozens of other ferals. If feral cats are not spayed or neutered, the colonies grow astonishingly fast. The size of an unmanaged colony is kept in check only by the ability of kittens to find enough food to sustain them.
In the past, euthanasia was common in addressing the overpopulation of feral cats. Fortunately, it is now generally recognized that widespread euthanasia is not only inhumane but ineffectual; unsterilized cats breed so rapidly that euthanized animals are quickly replaced by newborn kittens.
The best solution for each feral cat depends on their specific situation. TNR, or trap, neuter and return, has proven to be a highly effective and humane way of preventing colonies from growing uncontrollably. Once all the cats in a colony have been sterilized, the size of the colony will diminish naturally with attrition. Although living outdoors is not as safe or as comfortable as living in a home, it is the best possible outcome for most feral felines, provided someone is willing to feed them and monitor their health.
In some cases, adoption is a possible option for feral kittens as well as adults, provided they will tolerate being handled by people. The Marin Humane Society places these cats into foster homes, and if they become socialized to humans, they can be placed up for adoption. This is most successful with kittens, but adult cats have been known to go into permanent homes as well.
What can you do to help feral cats in your neighborhood? First of all, act quickly. One couple in Tiburon discovered three feral cats in their neighborhood. Before they called the Marin Humane Society, these felines bred to produce a colony of 28 animals. Ultimately, MHS arranged for all of the cats to be spayed and neutered, and seven of the cats were outgoing enough to be adopted into loving homes.
Acting quickly not only prevents the colony from growing exponentially, it can be a contributing factor in the adoptability of the cats. The earlier in life cats come into close contact with people, the more likely it is that they will be social enough to be adopted.
The Marin Humane Society will work with the public on the cost of sterilization if the price is prohibitive. The MHS veterinary clinic will spay or neuter, vaccinate and microchip a feral cat for a maximum fee of $75. Additionally, MHS offers vouchers that cover up to $100 of the cost of the surgery when performed by local veterinarians.
MHS will also connect you to organizations that safely trap feral cats so that they can be spayed or neutered. These groups include Marin Friends of Ferals based in San Rafael, Marin Cat Connection in Tiburon, and Planned Feralhood in West Marin.
There are several ways to help solve Marin’s feral cat overpopulation problem and improve the welfare of these animals who live all around us. If you have seen any cats living on their own, please call the Marin Humane Society at (415) 883-4621 and the organization will work with you to find the best solution for each cat.
Gregg Tully is a volunteer at the Marin Humane Society
