WHAT IS A FERAL CAT?

Feral means wild. A feral cat has had little or no contact with humans or was a domesticated cat but reverted back to a wild state. Feral cats become a problem because people feed them, providing an environment for them to breed. Many people feed feral cats but do not get them spayed or neutered because they cannot catch them. If left unsterilized with a food source their numbers can multiply quickly. Our members have been trapping and sterilizing feral cats in Shingletown and Manton since 1998. We have stabilized huge colonies, sometimes up to 50 or 60 cats in one colony. This takes a lot of time and money. We receive more phone calls regarding feral cats than anything else. R.A.I.N. does not remove the cats from their colony. They are sterilized and returned. Every year we monitor a colony to see if there are any new additions. If any new feral cats join a colony we re-trap to maintain a sterilized colony. Feral cats are trapped in a humane live trap, transported to a veterinarian and spayed or neutered. They are also ear notched by cutting off the tip of the cats right ear. (See picture of feral cat below) This ear notch makes it identifiable to the public, animal welfare groups and veterinarians as an already sterilized cat. If you are feeding a feral cat or cats please call us to get it sterilized before it breeds a creates a colony.

Sometimes we have to relocate feral cats if they are in a dangerous situation. They are not o.k. in a home. However they make great "mousers", especially for barns that house hay.If you or someone you know would like a mouser they will already be spayed or neutered. R.A.I.N. will transport them to your place, set them up in a cage so they can get used to their new home, then come back to release them and pick up the cage. This service is free. You must provide a daily source of food for them. Many people believe cats can sustain themselves on mice. This is incorrect for the most part. Many cats will kill mice but have lost the instinct to eat their kill. This is why food must be provided. When you see a large colony of feral cats it is not because there are alot of mice around it is because humans are providing a food source, whether it is dumpsters with throw away food or someone feeding the cats.

SEE HOW THE TIP OF THE CATS RIGHT EAR HAS BEEN NOTCHED TO IDENTIFY IT AS ALREADY STERILIZED.