Isle of Arran Branch

What is a feral cat?

How do I know if I have seen a feral cat?

Feral cats, Wild cats and domestic cats may be the same species but are quite different in their behaviour, needs and often how they look.

Wild Cats  

( see also Scottish Wildcats website )

Let's start with the Wild cat, in the UK this is the Scottish Wild cat. A very solitary and reclusive creature which will not invite the attention of humans; preferring to keep itself well hidden. These cats are NOT for domestication and should NEVER be taken in by anyone unless its by an an authority such as Scottish Wildcats Association or SSPCA for reasons of emergency treatment. Never try to handle one of these cats, do however report an injured animal to the SSPCA or local Vet.

They are quite beautiful creatures, small and neat in shape, with markings that are reminiscent of the 'tabby'.

Do not leave food out for them either as you are not being kind but cruel. These are natural hunters and find food for themselves. By leaving food for them you start the process of them relying on this food and becoming lazy at hunting. Then when you stop feeding they have to revert to fending for themselves.

Feral cats

Many people think they have seen a feral cat or that a feral cat is coming to their door to be fed. This is very unlikely. What you may be seeing is a previously domesticated cat that has either become a stray or abandoned for various reasons. These cats have known human care at one time and know that they can get food from this source.

These 'semi-feral'  cats may often look in poor condition because fending for themselves is not their normal environment and they have had to relearn hunting skills, which they find difficult. For example some people think that all cats are good 'ratters' but to catch a rat requires very careful and specialist skills which not all cats have. So don't be fooled into thinking if you got a cat it will solve all your rat problems!

Like the wild cat true ferals will be private creature and will not invite human interaction. These cats will also be small in size as with most animals you are what you eat.

Like all cats when a pregnant mother gives birth she will want to ensure her kittens are in a safe palce while she goes off hunting to ensure she has enough milk to give her kittens. Sometiems wehn she feels threatened or feels that the palce they are currently in is not safe she wil mvoe them to another spot. Now given she may have two or more kittens, possibly 7/8 she cannot move them all at the same time. So she will mvoe oen at a time and leave them somewhere where she knows that the kittens own instinct will be to remain still/quiet

If you come across a litter of kittens please DO NOT remove them from the place you found them unless it is actually on the road or immediately on roadside verge (and I mean within a few inches!) If you do move them do not use your bare hands as your scent will transfer to them and the mother may not reclaim them when she returns. In moving them just move them as far enough away to be out of immediate harm or danger and that means a foot or two no more!  If you find them on some rocks in the middle of a running stream remember Mum has put them there for safekeeping, their own instinct will stop them straying off.

Is it possible to home such cats? Yes but only if they are kittens under the age of 12-14 weeks at the most. Kittens are weaned at around 7-8 weeks old so there is just a very short time span with which to get them and begin the process of domestication. However, do not do this just for the sake of thinking you can find homes. Firstly these kittens need far more attention to domestication than the normal domesticated kitten; some will never lose their 'feral' background which in a home with children is a recipe for disaster!  When we speak of homing these kittens it should only be as a last resort in circumstances where the mother cat has died, has left them and not returned after several hours or some similar situation.

Semi feral cats

There isn't really such a thing. What has happened in these circumstances is that a cat became a stray or was abandoned and is now fending for itself. These cats may be very shy or timid and may be difficult to handle in the early stages until they learn to trust again. 

Another kind is what we refer to as a 'farm' cat that has has not been handled sufficiently but receives food and so remains in the vicinity. These are unlikely to suitable for homing in a normal domestic arrangement unless it starts when they are very young or the person concerned has patiece and experience of such.