National Feral Cat Day is on October 16, so begin practising your alley cat strut and gather your feline companions. This is a day to commemorate cats of all colours, regardless of where they reside. The world has stigmatised feral cats, but due to this holiday, we can change our perception of these lovable nomads.
The background of National Feral Cat Day
Egypt is believed to have been the starting point for the global proliferation of cats. They were introduced to Europe and Asia by merchants and monks to help control rat populations. Eventually, Roman armies carried them to Britain, and since then, sailors and settlers have continued to introduce cats to new countries.
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Although they are not traditionally considered pack animals, feral cats occasionally reside in colonies. There is no official system of dominance in these colonies, but diverse hierarchical structures, including despotic, linear, and relative, have been observed. In managed colonies, an individual provides food, water, shelter, and medical care for the cats.
In addition to finding prospective foster homes, implementing trap-neuter-return initiatives, and socialising the cats for adoption, human colony leaders may also seek out potential foster homes. About half of the 146 million cats in the United States, however, are feral or unowned. Given that approximately 70,000 kittens and puppies are produced daily, there will never be enough homes to accommodate the number of feral cats. Despite the fact that these apex predators are extremely adorable, they are hazardous to the environment. According to conservation biologists, they are one of the worst invasive species on Earth. Due to the fact that they adopt multiple cats at once, managed colonies implementing trap-and-neuter initiatives are crucial for controlling the feral population and maintaining the health of our feline neighbours.
National Feral Cat Day Celebrations
Participate in a Trap-Neuter-Return initiative.
Participation in a Trap-Neuter-Return endeavour can make a substantial difference. This involves humanely capturing a feral cat in a box trap, transporting it to a veterinarian to be sterilised or neutered, and then releasing it back into its natural habitat. This ensures the cat’s safety and also serves as a long-term investment in the feral cat population’s containment.
Take in a cat
TNR is an effective method for controlling pet populations, but if you are able to adopt feral cats, you can also make a significant impact in their lives. On October 16, several shelters will be hosting adopt-a-thons, so locate one near you and adopt a new family member.
Donate your time to Alley Cat Allies
Alley Cat Allies, which was founded in 1990, has done remarkable work to raise awareness and develop solutions for this issue. Through the organisation, you can help organise spay/neuter clinics and food/supply campaigns, advocate for official government proclamations on TNR policies, and more.
