Q & A

What is a "feral" cat?

‘Feral’ means ‘gone wild’, there are varying degrees of feral cats. We consider “feral” to describe a particular behaviour a cat expresses when it is not use to people or feels frightened. The factors that may determine how frightened ownerless cats are; age, daily humane contact, generational factor, and the personality factor.

It is virtually impossible to differentiate whether a frightened cat was born without human contact, became un-socialized from living on its own or if it is simply frightened.

For our purposes, we choose to call these ownerless cats “free-roaming” and use the term “feral” to describe a behaviour a free roaming cat may convey.

Where do free roaming cats come from?

All free roaming cats are the descendants of unaltered tame cats somewhere in their ancestry line. These cats and their offspring are the victims of abandonment, accidental loss and failure by owners to sterilize their pets. This segment of the population produces 80% of the kittens born each year. This is the largest source of cat overpopulation, which is a community-generated problem, and every community has the responsibility to work towards a solution.


What are the advantages of TNR?

The advantages of TNR are: stabilizing colony size and eliminating the chance of new kittens arriving. The colony protects their territory from unaltered newcomers moving in. The nuisance behaviours of unaltered male cats (fighting and yowling, spraying or marking their territory, and roaming in search of a mate) are substantially reduced. The "Vacuum Effect" is greatly reduced by TNR.

What is the "Vacuum Effect"?

The vacuum effect is a term used to describe the infiltration of cat colonies. When cats are killed and removed from the colony instead of returned, more cats move in because the food source is still present. Controlling the population through TNR has proven to be more effective.


Is the "ear-tipping" considered cruel and inhumane?

No. The ear-tipping is done while the cat is still under anesthesia after being spayed/neutered. The ear-tipping is a universal symbol the cat has already undergone surgery and has saved many cats from being put through surgery a second time. Cats and kittens that can be socialized and adopted out are not ear-tipped. Adoption agencies within St. Thomas agree that cats must stay indoors making ear-tipping primarily for free-roaming cats.

If I feed the neighbourhood free-roaming cats, does that mean I own them?

No. In St. Thomas, a bi-law was passed stating citizens are actually encouraged to not only feed strays but provide them vet care and shelter, particularly in the winter. To avoid neighbour complaints we recommend that litter is set out and kept clean, shelter and feeding areas are kept out of view. Use your back porch and not your front porch. Do not leave food out after dark or you will attract racoons and skunks. You do not own them, You are a "Caretaker of a Colony".