Some animal rights groups advocate trap-neuter-return programs to prevent the feral cats from continuing to breed. Attempts to control feral cat populations are widespread but generally of greatest impact within purpose-fenced reserves. Some feral cats may become more comfortable with people who regularly feed them, but even with long-term attempts at socialization, they usually remain aloof and are most active after dusk.įeral cats are devastating to wildlife, and conservation biologists consider them to be one of the worst invasive species on Earth. Feral cats may breed over dozens of generations and become an aggressive local apex predator in urban, savannah and bushland environments. Unlike wild predators that switch to other prey or locations when food becomes scarce, domestic cats that are fed can afford to continue to hunt and kill prey even when prey populations decline.A feral cat with a tipped ear indicating it was neutered in a trap-neuter-return programĪ feral cat or a stray cat is an unowned domestic cat ( Felis catus) that lives outdoors and avoids human contact: it does not allow itself to be handled or touched, and usually remains hidden from humans. Domestic cats are very effective predators on rabbits, squirrels, mice, lizards, snakes and many species of wild birds.Īnimal behavior experts note that feral and free-ranging (outdoor) cats will hunt and kill even if well fed, and that can make them a major threat to native wildlife.

Domestic cats are becoming a common feature not only of our backyards and city streets but also of our parks and other wild lands.ĭomestic cats are descended from the wild cat of Africa and southwestern Asia and were domesticated by the Egyptians about 4,000 years ago. Additionally, there may be 60 to 100 million homeless stray and feral cats. Of these, about 43 million spend some time outside. The domestic cat ( Felis catus) is a common house pet, with an estimated 85 million pet cats nationwide.

Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network.

Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail.Report injured, orphaned or dead manatees.Report fish kills, wildlife emergencies, sightings, etc.

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