A feral cat is an unsocialized outdoor cat who has either never had any physical contact with humans, or human contact has diminished over enough time that she is no longer accustomed to it. Most feral cats are fearful or people and are not likely to ever become a lap cat or enjoy living indoors.

Through TNR efforts and caring for and feeding feral cats, these cats have proven to us just how resilient they are. Keep reading to learn facts about feral cats—some of which you may not have known…. 1. TNR Makes a Huge Difference in the Lives of Feral Cats. Cats that are feral are naturally untrusting of humans.

A cat born and raised in the wild, or who has been abandoned or lost and reverted to wild ways in order to survive, is considered a feral cat. Feral cats often live in groups called colonies, and take refuge wherever they can find food—rodents, other small animals, and food scraps.

Feral cats often live in vacant lots, dodge cars, and eat from trash cans; face infection, disease, and an endless cycle of pregnancy; and suffer extremes in treatment and weather.

Learn about outdoor cats, also known as feral or community cats, and how to help them live safely and humanely. Find out what TNR is, how to deal with cat-wildlife conflicts, and how to adopt a community cat.

Free-ranging and feral cats pose risks to public health and safety. They are the most common vectors of rabies in domestic animals, and it is unclear how many free-ranging cats are currently vaccinated for rabies and other diseases (Blanton et al 2007). Cats can transmit several other diseases and parasites to people including cat scratch

Feral cats are domesticated cats (Felis catus) that have reverted to living in the wild for multiple generations. Unlike stray cats, which may have once been pets but still retain some level of human interaction, feral cats are fearful of humans and avoid contact at all costs.

Community cats are unowned, outdoor cats who live in colonies and are not socialized to people. Learn why they are healthy, safe, and beneficial for the environment, and how Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is the only humane way to help them.

Feral cats, or those born wild, are equally protected in law as domestic cats and are more susceptible to disease. Simply removing feral cats isn't a long-term solution - a new colony will often move in.