Feral Management – An Innovative Alternative

WHAT IS A FERAL CAT?

WHAT IS A FERAL COLONY

WHAT IS FERAL MANAGEMENT

Hesser College

What is a Feral Cat? What is a Feral Colony What is Feral Management

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• Feral Management-An Innovative Alternative 5• The role you play within the colony will mostly depend on you. How involved you become and to what degree of

participation will determine your place within the colony. You see, you have a rank, too. The more involved and the more sociable you are, the more they will consider you their "alpha". Although, I do not consider myself as that, it's what they think, and what they feel comfortable with, that is important.

• You are the provider of food for them. As in the wild, you are the hunter. Their perception is that you worked hard at hunting and you care enough about them each and everyday to provide them their essentials. This is one of the most significant acts that you will perform within your colony. Of course, you didn't actually go out and hunt but it's what they think, and again, that is what's important.

• While you feed, make sure you do not have any eye contact with them. This only applies to those individuals that are just starting a new colony, and the cats are unfamiliar with you. Eye contact can be perceived as an act of aggression within the feral mentality, and it’s actually the opposite that you are trying to achieve. Talk softly to them as you are preparing their feast, even singing softly is effective, but, it's better to talk at first. You may not see any ferals at first, but rest assure, they are looking at you. Eventually, as time goes on, you will see one come out, then another, so on and so on. Don't try to pet them, don't try to be friendly with them, and don’t try anything, except feeding and talking softly. Your best bet is to pace your stay as evenly as possible. In other words, just feed, water and get out. You will be able to determine when to start staying longer and your movements can become more relaxed, rather than slow. Never mechanically feed, just slow.

• Feral Management-An Innovative Alternative 6• After you have been doing this for awhile, start looking at them, but not long stares into their eyes, just short,

skimming stares into the colony. Do this for awhile, while talking to them. Eventually, you will be able to stare right at them, and them at you, and it will be welcomed, instead of challenged. Your movements will also be able to become more natural, instead of slow. These instructions are very important. Because they are the means of a positive introduction for you to your colony, and your colony to you. It is the first wave of actions that lead to trust. Your in their world...be them.

• The time to feed should be determined by you. If you decide to feed twice a day, then sunrise and sunset are the best times. Should you decide to feed once a day, then I recommend feeding at night, after sundown. It is important that you establish a time or times that suite your schedule. Your colony will become accustomed to the time or times you come, and they will be waiting. The absolute worse thing that you could possibly do is start feeding and managing a colony, and then decide, you can't or don't want to do it anymore, and then stop feeding them. This is cruel. Make absolute sure that if this should occur that you let one of the no-kill shelters know, or perhaps you know someone else that would like to do this. You must spend time with them in the field before you just hand the colony over to them. But, more importantly, do not take on this responsibility unless you are absolutely, positively sure you can make this commitment. And that is exactly what it is...a commitment.

• It is also note worthy to suggest that you buy a disinfectant wash or lotion for your hands for in-between feedings, or after you feed your one colony. It will assist in preventing you from spreading bacteria and possible illness and disease from one colony to another, and, also, protect you from bacteria and possible illness.

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• In their shelters, it is best to use straw for the winter and summer. Blankets are good, but during the warmer months, fleas have more of a tendency to take up habitat within the blanket. Straw is very effective in keeping the bedding in the shelter warm or cool.

• Remember, it's the food you "hunted" that will be your link to them. Not the “calling word” or names.

–BRIDGE BECAUSE OF ITS MANY COLORS. JUST THIS SIDE OF RAINBOW BRIDGE THERE IS A

• YOU HAVE BEEN SEEN, AND WHEN YOU AND YOUR SPECIAL FRIEND MEET AGAIN, YOU