Feral Cat Adoption
What are feral cats?
The word 'feral' means members of a domesticated species that have reverted to living as wild animals. While they are often mistaken for stray cats, ferals have little or no contact with humans and cannot be tamed.
What is the difference between stray and feral cats?
Feral Cats
Feral cats are the same species of cat as our pet cats, but are not socialised to humans or the domestic environment. This means they behave like wild animals.
Not friendly - unsocialised to humans, feral cats find people threatening and can be hard to spot. They won't come close, even with encouragement
Living alone or with others - sometimes, they might live in a colony with other feral cats
Ear tip - they may have their left ear 'tipped' to show they have been neutered and returned
Away from houses - they'll avoid human contact and often have a hiding spot away from populated areas
Not microchipped - most feral cats don't have a microchip
Permanent - they are more likely to have set up a permanent home or shelter
Stray Cats
Stray cats are socialised domestic cats who don't - or don't appear - to have an owner. Be wary; even if they 'stray' they might be a neighbourhood cat who's worked out that if they look hungry they can bag themselves a second meal!
More friendly - if they're a little shy they will often approach cautiously given time and encouragement
Alone
No ear tip - won't have their 'tipped', even if neutered
Appear near houses - most likely to be found in people's gardens and trying to get into their home
Microchipped - if they are a missing pet, they may have a microchip
Appeared recently - they also might look lost or disorientated
What makes a cat feral?
Cats learn what is normal at a very young age, during what is known as a 'socialisation period.' Between the ages of two to six weeks, kittens can learn to enjoy human contact, forming a bond and becoming great pets.
Feral cats are usually the offspring of stray, feral or abandoned cats and have missed out on this early experience, making them likely to be wary of humans.
How can I care for a feral cat?
Despite their wild nature, feral cats still need a level of care. With many ferals living in colonies, the cat population can grow quickly. Neutering and returning the cats to their colony stops continual breeding.
While most ferals are resourceful when it comes to finding food, it is good to keep an eye on them during the winter. If you suspect a feral cat is sick or injured, they can be trapped and taken to the vet.
If you think you may have found a feral or stray cat, and you are worried for it’s welfare, please visit our ‘I’ve Found a Cat’ page for more information.
I am interested in adopting a feral cat.
Feral cats take less maintenance than domestic cats and generally just need food, water, shelter and someone to keep an eye on them. They do very well when they have a large area to roam and investigate and are popular to help control pests due to their strong hunting instincts. Ideal rehoming environments include farms, stables and garden centres.
At Wisteria Cat Rescue, feral cats are neutered, microchipped, flea sprayed and wormed. Unless they become unwell they will require any further health treatments. Whilst they enjoy spending their time outside, it is necessary for them to be confined to a secure, indoor area for approximately six weeks initially. This is vital so that the cat can get used to its new surroundings and will reduce the chance of the cat becoming lost. In some environments this can often be tricky but rest assured that our experienced volunteers have plenty of ideas of how to make a temporary confined space and we will be happy to have a chat.
If you are thinking of adopting a feral cat please ensure you are able to provide two meals a day of food and fresh water, have a large area (at least half an acre) for the cat to explore and a secure shelter where the cat will be safe, warm and dry. If you can answer yes to all these requirements and think you would like to adopt a feral cat please fill in our form below…