National Feral Cat Day

October 17, 2011

National Feral Cat day. Alley Cat Allies launched National Feral Cat Day in 2001 which was also their 10th anniversary; the Day is designed to raise awareness about feral cats, promote Trap-Neuter-Return, and recognize the millions of compassionate Americans who care for them. According to the National Feral Day website map, there are 16 events in Texas in celebration.

National Feral Cat Day photo

Feral cats are not stray cats. Feral cats are descendants of domesticated cats (often lost, abandoned or stray) that have been born and raised in ‘the wild’ meaning without human contact. Communities manage their feral cat colonies via a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program that spays/neuters the cats and often vaccinates them against rabies. The purpose of the TNR programs is humane feral cat population control.

Feral cats live in colonies near a steady food supply source and are often afraid of human contact. There are several Texas organizations dedicated to feral cats and include:

Feral Cat Rescue Group – University of North Texas

Feral Cat Society of Austin

Feral Friends Community Cat Alliance

Barn Cats

San Antonio Feral Cat Coalition

Feral Cat Assistance Program

Brazos Feral Cat Allies

Texas Cat Adoptions

Heart of Texas Feral Friends – Waco

KittiCo Cat Rescue – Dallas

Shadow Cats – Austin

Feral Cat Hotline – Houston

All Cats – Houston

The O’Malley Alley Cat Organization – Nacogdoches

Feral cat TNR organizations improve our communities in Texas – so today, especially, we express our gratitude for the care you give our communities by taking care of the feral cats that reside here too.

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Comments

  1. Is there anyway I can get help with cat food for the feral cats and kittens I am feeding? I am feeding 13 feral cats and kittens. I have my own too plus dogs and my income is too low to feed all of the strays without help with food.

    • Hi Linda, you did not say where you are located, so the best I can suggest is the following:

      1. Do an online search for “Pet food banks your city/county”
      2. I know of a couple in NTX, R-Pal.org and Operation Kindness has a food pantry
      3. Connect with feral cat rescues in your area and see if they will help you with cat food
      4. Contact Ally Cat Allies and see if they can offer assistance
      5. Set up a GoFundMe type of online account and ask friends/family to help
      6. Contact local businesses and see if they can donate food or will sponsor your work.
      I really hope that is of help – and THANK YOU for caring for the feral cats!

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