Critter talk: Can feral cats ever go home again?
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It’s a tough subject; one you might be surprised to hear gets plenty of play among those of us who spay and neuter lots of cats. Because while these specimens might be rough-looking and impressively aggressive, feral felines are not always the devil-cats they appear to be.
There they are in their plastic carriers and traps, hissing and spitting, ensuring that we scrub-clad veterinary types keep our distance. Most are lean and rangy. They seem like animals better suited to a zoo environment than to the suburban lifestyle they’ve learned to survive in. Little though they may resemble them, they’re genetically identical to the overfed housecats we humans have cultivated as pets.
Feral cats, we call them. They’re the common felids who have lived far enough outside human society to have reverted back to their non-domesticated ways. In fact, according to Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary, feral means, “having escaped from domestication and become wild.”
In other words, feral is a term that, strictly speaking, applies only to those species that have once enjoyed a close proximity to humans. Feral raccoons, deer, and skunks, for example, do not exist. Cats, dogs, sheep, goats, and cows, even, can go feral. A cockatoo, however … not so much. (The occasional individual cockatoo’s ability to live well among humans notwithstanding, most will be forever willing to bite the s— out of your finger before deigning to accept any human affection.)
Not so for the few species that have spent the last 10,000 or so years living symbiotically with humanity. To be sure, agriculture species top the charts. But dogs and cats play a mighty role, increasingly so over the past millennium or two, during which both canine and feline hunting abilities have been exploited for human gain, and only recently for the tenuously tangible purpose we’ve come to call “companionship.”
Cats and dogs, in particular, were originally domesticated for their pest-nabbing, small-game fetching ways. Yet it was their fuzzy cuddle-ability that earned them passage into the living room, where they now reign.
For cats, it was their fierce independence and low stress/low expense keep-ability that earned them the status as most populous pet in America. After all, nothing beats a cat for easy, inexpensive keeping, and their intensely affectionate upside potential.
The margin between domesticated and feral, however, is slim enough for those of us who treat cats like family members to admit (if we’re being honest with ourselves) to having a tough time distinguishing between the cat that scurries away from us on our morning walk and the one whose fur coats our furniture, floors and clothing.
In part, that’s why every few weekends, veterinarian like me spend hours spaying and neutering these cats. Not only do we recognize that these are just like the animals that we treat as beloved family members, these are also the ones we’ve wronged by allowing them to stray outside the fold. So we make it up to them by controlling their numbers. Because we know population stability means a better life.
Still, we wonder, is it not better to bring them indoors? Is that not the holy grail of catdom?
I’d argue it’s not only what’s best for most cats but what best meets the needs of the local wildlife, too. Yet what’s ideal and what’s feasible are two very far apart things in the case of our ferals. Because once a cat has gone feral … it’s tough to come back.
Over the past weekend I’ve had cause to consider this issue in more depth than usual. Not only did I have Friday’s discussion on the No Kill shelter model to consider (and the feral cat conundrum therein), but also the presence of one super-cute creature to take into account.
He goes by many names. Linus was his first (after his blanket love). Lazaro was the next moniker; inspired by his post adverse anesthetic “resurrection.” That’s the one that stuck, so we call him Laz. And he’s a cool character. In spite of his near-death event, he’s almost normal. But he’s still a fraidy feral cat that is currently living in the flue of my non-functional Florida chimney. (How he found that spot — and how he gets up there — is wholly beyond me since I never catch him going up there).
Sure, he comes out every once in a while to eat and pee and poo. And sure, I’m working hard on bringing him back into the land of normal cat–ness. But do I think he’ll make a great pet? In this case, yes. I do think he’s capable of making a good “recovery” as he’s integrated into normal human society — with some help from me. But, I do not believe the average feral cat can be so “rehabilitated.”
Not that it’s never worth trying. My attempts should be proof enough that I believe it’s doable. Yet I strongly believe that the average feral cat belongs where he or she currently resides: outside the immediate company of humanity. This is why I’m so big on TNR (“trap-neuter-release”): Because there’s not much we can do for most feral individuals in traditional shelters — in general, they’re no longer pets once they’ve gone feral. And because our dollars are best spent elsewhere. (Excoriate me for this take though you might.)
No, once they’ve “gone over to the other side,” as it were, it’s tough to bring ‘em back. Yes, it’s feasible, but not supportable as a widespread policy. In fact, only in the event of 1) fundamental behavioral amenability (from the cat), and 2) extreme human dedication, does it ever come to pass.
Yet I’m still working on Laz, because I’m thinking he’s one cat I can rehabilitate. He’s got a better than average disposition, and he’s got a dedicated crew looking after him. After all, I brought him “back to life,” so maybe — just maybe — I can bring him back into humanity’s fold, too. In spite of myself, the only question that remains is … should I?
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Hello,
My son and I have rehabilitated 4 feral cats. The mother cat and 3 of her kittens. She gave birth under our deck and eventually they got brave enough to get closer and closer with the lure of food. The mother by far is the most feral and she just left our computer room as my son was petting her and feeding her. They stay on our deck under a heat lamp at night. The kittens which are 5 months now are completely rehabilitated.
Here is our method. Very time consuming I might add but can be done. We would feed the cats on our deck, kitten food, due to malnutrition. We would take out cat toys with a long stick on the end and begin petting their backs with the stick while eating. At first this was very foreign to them but we just kept at it. Eventually we could pick up the kittens while the mom was out of view. Eventually we were able to pick up mom, and she was very mean, but with perseverance it happened and now we can pick up and play with all of them. Don’t give up especially on the kittens. It can happen.
Unfortunately there have been several feral cats eaten by territorial German shepherds. I managed to save one.
Two of my four are feral cats, we trapped and had fixed to become indoor cats. It took them a while to start coming in so we did it gradually. Leaving the garage door open for them, then introducing them into the house to the other fur babies. They’ve been with us a while now and they are such lovebugs, you would never know they had been outdoor cats.
Only time my kitties go outside alone, is to the backyard for grass eating and barfing, and then in front of the house on their harnesses, yes my cats love to be on the harness and go for walks with my little dog. Funniest thing to see, but they seem to love it, especially if someone stops to pet them.
We have lots of cats in our household but the one that I would call feral is Grendel. Grendel is not an indoor cat by any means, but he does stay on the porch guarding against anything that may come along.
Although he doesn’t bother the chickens or rabbits in the backyard, he has been known to attack dogs without hesitation.
Some cats just seem to have a wildness that will never be removed. Cats that have to fend for their food in the wild get that “Call of the Wild” instinct magnified.
Does he ever go inside or is he just content to be outside, even in bad weather?
Aha, Bro, welcome to the feline world. Now that one’s gotten to you, you’ll never be without a cat again. Congratulations on your new addition to the family.
I’m not sure if feral cats can be rehabilitated or not, but I know more than a few who become good pets with a lot of love and patience. My best friend had a fearful, feral stray wandering around her door, whom she fed. The cat is now a loving indoor pet, despite her assertion that she only loved dogs.
Our cats are strictly indoor. It is particularly important to keep cats indoors if you live in an urban area so an unattentive driver happens across a poor feline minding her/his own business as s/he crosses the street.
If you live in an area where coyotes and other such predators reside, indoors is the best place if you don’t want your pet to become a meal.