Loading... Please wait...

test

Blog - cat shelter

Helping Feral Cats in Your Neighborhood: Tips for Feeding, Sheltering, and TNR

Posted by

Feral cats live outdoors with little or no contact with human beings. As such, they’re not socialized and are often wary of people.

However, they’re part of our communities and play a critical role in controlling rodent populations.

Also, feral cats face many challenges, including finding food, shelter, and healthcare. They depend on community members for survival, mainly food, and shelter—and you can help!

This blog post looks into tips for feeding, sheltering, and taking care of the health of outdoor or community cats.

1) Feeding Feral Cats

One way to help outdoor cats in your community is to feed them. Since they depend on people, feeding feral cats is an excellent way to keep them healthy for survival.

However, it’s critical to feed them in a way that’s safe for them and for people in your neighborhood.

Here are some helpful tips for feeding feral cats:

  • Select a safe feeding location that’s not too close to busy streets or with a lot of foot traffic. Doing so helps keep the cats safe and reduces the likelihood of complaints from neighbors.
  • Use proper feeding shelters to keep the food clean and dry. Also, clean the feeding area frequently to prevent bacteria and contaminants buildup.
  • Feral cats are independent and do not need to be fed daily. Feeding them 2-3 times a week is sufficient to help them maintain their health.

2) Sheltering Feral Cats 

Another way to help feral cats is by providing shelter that keeps them safe from predators and other harmful elements. Some helpful tips for providing shelter and protection for feral cats include the following:

  • Provide an accessible, safe, and secure shelter. Ideally, a small space with a covered entrance should work. You can build the shelters or can make use of pre-made cat shelters. The benefit of using pre-made cat shelters is that they’re insulated with a Thermal-Ply insulation that helps keeps the cats warm in winter while providing them with a cool place to relax during summer. The pre-made cat houses are perfect for the neighborhood feral cats and only take about 20 minutes to assemble with easy-to-follow instructions.
  • Once you have the cat shelter, ensure to place it in a safe location free from wind, rain, and snow.
  • Regularly monitor the shelters for signs of damage or wear and tear. Repair or replace the cat shelter to ensure the cats are safe and protected.

3) Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR)

TNR is a practical approach to managing feral cat populations. Like its name, it involves trapping the cats, spaying or neutering them, and returning them to their outdoor shelters.

TNR is beneficial as it improves the lives of feral cats, stops the breeding cycle, and reduces community complaints about them which is why so many cities are adopting it

Here are some helpful tips for implementing TNR:

  • You can start by contacting a local TNR program or animal rescue group for advice, training, and support. Usually, such community programs can provide traps and other necessary resources to help you trap, neuter, and return the cats successfully.
  • Ensure you have a plan for recovery and post-surgical care for the cat (s), including a safe and quiet place to recover. It’s also essential to monitor them for any signs of infections or issues with health.
  • Remember that TNR is a process that takes time and effort. However, controlling the feral cat population is humane over the long term.

Bottom Line

By implementing the tips above, you can join the movement to help feral cats in your neighborhood stay healthy and safe.

Connect with us on Facebook & Twitter for more updates!

​5 Clever Tips for Cutting Cat Food Costs

If you're a cat owner, you know how important it is to provide your cat with a balanced diet. Unfortunately, many cat owners struggle to provide adequate nutrition for their feline family members due to the high price of premium cat food. There are some smart strategies for cutting costs on cat food without jeopardizing the [...]

Read More »


13 Tips for Enhancing Your Cats' Mental and Physical Well-Being ( Part 2)

Welcome to part 2 of tips for enhancing your cat's well-being. (If you’re yet to read part 1, you can find it here).In this blog post, we look at the remaining 7 tips and tricks that help you enhance your cat’s overall health. Let’s jump in. # 7) Introduce new things graduallyCats are sensitive to change, so it's best to ease [...]

Read More »


13 Tips for Enhancing Your Cats' Mental and Physical Well-Being ( Part 1)

As cat parents, we all want our feline friends to enjoy long healthy lives full of joy and prosperity. One of the best ways to ensure that your cat is in top physical and mental shape is by providing them with plenty of stimulation, exercise, and love.In this post, we take you through 13 tips for enhancing your cat's [...]

Read More »


​6 Reasons to Talk to Your Cat

Cats are one of the most popular pets, and for a good reason. They are affectionate, low maintenance, and make excellent companions. However, talking to our feline buddies is one thing that people frequently need to do, limiting them to the many advantages of talking to your cat. Here are six reasons why you should [...]

Read More »


14 Weird Cat Behaviors (1)

Cute and paw-some as they are, cats are not without their peculiarities. They're naturally curious, self-reliant, clever, humorous, and comical, so it isn't surprising that they sometimes act in ways that baffle us as cat owners.To that end, we did some digging to help cat owners baffled by their feline companion's odd behavior. Keep reading to find out what weird [...]

Read More »


Here's Why Your Cat Might Be Meowing Excessively

A cat’s meow can be the sweetest sound in the world. However, it can be overwhelming, especially if your cat constantly meows. Here are six reasons your cat might be calling out to you more than usual and what you can do about it. #1. Attention Seeking and LonelinessContrary to common belief, most cats are very social animals who need companionship [...]

Read More »


The Truth Behind Why Cats Bring You Dead Animals

Most cat owners are familiar with the moment when they hear their pet meowing, only to discover that their beloved kitty has brought them an unexpected gift: a dead bird, mouse, or animal. So, why do cats bring dead animals to their humans?Read on to learn the most likely reason your cat brings you dead animals and how to [...]

Read More »


Tips to Help You Become the Best Cat Parent

Cats are lovely creatures and make great pets, but that doesn't mean raising them isn't without its challenges. As a cat owner, you'll need to learn how to tend to their needs while also balancing the other responsibilities of your life – work, relationships, friends, and so on. Here are some tips to help you become the best cat parent [...]

Read More »


How to Manage Multiple Pets: 6 Tips

Having multiple pets at home can be exciting and rewarding, but it can also be stressful and overwhelming, especially if you're not prepared for the added responsibility. Before you bring home more than one pet, consider some of these tips on managing multiple pets so you can keep them safe and happy in your home.#1. Assess the CostsWhen you have multiple [...]

Read More »




Recent Updates

Sign up to our newsletter