Dogs are often bought from breeders and make wonderful companion pets. But think about it. If you have a cat (or cats), how many did you buy from a breeder? I know there are breeders for purebred cats but that's not the way most people acquire a cat.
Most cats adopt YOU, not the other way around. They very craftily sneak into your life by appearing on your doorstep with a pitiful look in their eye, which you assume to be hunger'. Being the kind person you are, you offer some tuna to the hungry kitty. That is, unless you are already feeding a cat or cats. In which case, you offer cat food. The timid cat hungrily accepts your offer. You feel better for having fed a helpless animal. You think you may never see the poor creature again, andit was so cute!
If you are a seasoned cat person', you know the cute' little cat will be back tomorrow. At this point, you hope the cute' little cat won't bring a litter of kittens or, Heaven forbid, be pregnant. You might as well go to the grocery store and buy cat food, you've been tagged :> ).
Dry cat food is easier and less messy for leaving outside. Don't forget to also leave a water bowl. You have now agreed to adoption. The law, in some cities or states, says "if you feed a feral cat, you are then responsible for its care and its actions" (such as pooping in your neighbor's flower bed). Most don't take that seriously enough to worry about it. The biggest problem most of us experience is that if you feed one feral cat, you may find you are feeding three or six or more.
If you decide to keep the cat and claim it as yours, you need to gain its trust in order to transport it to the veterinarian for a checkup and necessary vaccinations. Then, arrange for spaying or neutering. Buy it a cat-safe breakaway collar that won't get caught on a fence to strangle it. Put at least a nametag on the collar, with your telephone number. If you don't want to pay for a nametag, put the rabies tag on the collar, which has the veterinarians telephone number. The vet can identify your cat by the vaccination number. Now, you are a cat parent and this precious creature has a good home.
If you decide not to take responsibility for the cat, this leads to more serious questions. Can you afford to feed a neighborhood full of feral cats? Can you afford to have them spayed or neutered to keep a colony from growing? Can you afford to, at the very least, give them rabies shots? It really does become your responsibility to keep from adding to the problem.
The best solution I have seen is the TSNR (Trap/Spay/Neuter/Release) programs adopted by some Humane Societies, SPCA's and even some city governments. The program usually loans you a trap, picks the cat up after you trap it, takes it to their veterinarian for spaying or neutering and then returns it to your neighborhood. Then, you can continue to feed the cat without contributing to a growing colony of feral cats. It does, of course, require time to take care of a large colony but it can and is being done all over the country.
If you have a number of stray cats in your neighborhood, and would like to help, please contact your city or county humane society, SPCA or animal control to see if they offer the program.
Pat Lemmons (aka Miss Kitty) is a 66 year old, semi-retired South Texas woman. She has had cats as pets for 10 years, understands cats and knows how to keep them healthy and happy. As a stauch supporter of animal shelters for many years, she found yet another way to help fund the wonderful work they do. She has a website www.kittystoreonline.com for quality cat products at discounted prices. A portion of every sale is donated monthly to two local animal shelters. These organizations are the rescuers of homeless animals and make them ready for adoption in good, safe, homes. They provide a magnanimous service to our communities.
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