Answering the question simply, yes, feral cats can sometimes be rehomed, although this is dependent on different factors, including life stage, temperament and overall health. For those adult cats who have never lived with humans, though, this is not usually in their best interest.
We sure love our feline friends and especially here in the UK, we are devoted to helping stray cats, thanks to organisations such as Cats Protection (CP) along with other local organisations.
Feral cats are often a little misunderstood and you could say that there are different types of feral cats. There are feral cats that may have once had a home, or there are truly feral cats that have been born and raised in the wild.
Rehoming a “feral cat” can be difficult, but totally rewarding in the long run. Let’s delve into the world of feral cats and unravel the challenges that may be faced along the way.
What makes a cat “feral”?
There are usually two types of cats that we see, especially at the veterinary practice – stray and feral (although sometimes, we will describe aggressive cats as being feral in behaviour!).
Stray cats are usually abandoned or lost, but have had some contact with humans. Usually, they understand the general rules of home living and interact well with new owners over time. Stray cats can be found at veterinary practices and rescue centres and are readily available for adoption. They tend to settle into new homes relatively well. Depending on their temperament, they are usually quite predictable and have minimal unwanted behaviours. This article is focused on re-socialising and rehoming these cats.
Feral cats are typically born in the wild, with little to no human interaction. This essentially makes them wild cats. Feral cats are born outside, often living in colonies with other feral cats and reside in places far from a domesticated environment.
They are usually fearful of humans and are highly independent. They rely heavily on instinct and hunt for food and find their own shelter. Feral cats can exhibit a wide range of behavioural problems, especially older cats who have spent their entire lives in the wild. While very young kittens may have a better chance of becoming socialised and adapting to life in a home, most adults will not.
In fact, for truly feral cats, Cats Protection recommends TNVR: trap, neuter, vaccinate, release, without spending more than 48 hours (max) in captivity. Any longer can be seriously detrimental to the cat’s welfare.
Challenges of Rehoming Feral Cats
When rehoming a “feral” cat, it’s important to be ready to face some challenges, especially in adult cats. Some typical challenges include:
Socialisation
Younger feral cats, with a little gentle encouragement, will slowly desensitise to life in a home. Kittens that are only a few months old will likely adapt really well, with those up to 7 weeks old having a realistic chance of socialisation, unlike adults.
Adult feral cats are usually highly independent and the taming process can take considerably longer, and lead to severe stress.
However, with stray-ferals it may be worth the attempt. Their survival instincts are more heightened than domestic cats, making them more likely to actively avoid human contact. Over time, adult stray-feral cats can become more tame, but they are unlikely to be overly affectionate.
Health concerns:
With all types of feral cats being exposed to the elements and receiving no veterinary care, they can suffer from different health issues. Commonly, these include
Many adoption centres will have a plan in place to have cats fully vaccinated and neutered before rehoming.
Restricted areas:
Feral cats are used to being out in the wild, exploring, hunting and socialising with other feral cats. A feral or long-term stray cat will often not adapt well to living as a housecat, and may even struggle to be confined to a garden. If you rehome a feral cat, it may be normal for them to explore a vast area or even not return home for a few days.
Mixing with other pets:
Other cats within the household, as well as dogs, may not tolerate a feral cat well and vice versa! With feral cats being used to being the main cat in charge, they may find it difficult to interact with other animals. It may be beneficial when rehoming a feral cat to keep them as the only animal within the home.
Can feral cats become indoor pets?
It is very unlikely that an adult feral cat who has had no human contact previously would adapt well to being an indoor pet. However, with gentle taming and desensitisation, it may be a possibility for stray-ferals, although it is important to weigh up whether housing such a cat is fair, after having such vast freedom previously.
On average, it can take 3 – 4 months for a domestic cat to settle into their new homes. The International Society for Feline Medicine (ISFM) has tons of information on how to let your new cat settle in. However, long-term stray cats can be a whole different board game, unless they have previously been desensitised to a home environment.
You may find that it takes well over 12 months for a them to associate your home as their space too, so it is important to manage your expectations when adopting. Otherwise, they may be better suited to an outhouse, barn or even some stables!
There are different ways in which you can help any cat settle into their new environment, and these should always be considered.
Taming and Socialisation Techniques
Taming a long-term stray cat is not going to happen overnight. It is a lengthy process that depends on their previous exposure to a domestic cat way of life. More often than not, feral cats often remain feral and can be unpredictable.
However, there are some ways in which you can gain their trust and slowly break down the fearful or aggressive barrier that they may have. These tips can help whether you have a new domesticated cat, semi feral or feral cat.
Gradually built their trust with positive human interaction
Food is often the way to many animals’ hearts, so always have a tasty treat or toy to be able to reward friendly and positive behaviour. Soon enough, they will associate their owner with being fed and this can be a good building block for a positive relationship.
Have a safe space that is quiet and has plenty of hiding opportunities
Create a room with lots of levels, as cats often feel safe up high. These can be created with boxes or with a cat tree. Offer cozy bedding and minimal human interaction to start with.
Leave your new friend to settle
Feral or not, being placed in a strange home and expected to fit in straight away is unrealistic. Minimal contact is essential for them to feel secure in their environment first.
Offer plenty of toileting places
You can never have enough litter trays if you’re wanting to avoid an accident (although accidents are probably likely too!). The rescue where a cat has come from will be able to advise you on the best litter to use, but in many instances, it may be a good idea to use soil, mimicking their life in the wild. You can then slowly transition them to cat litter in the future.
If they are not already neutered, book them in!
This will stop unwanted litters, spraying in the house and the urge to wander off for days on end to find a mate. Don’t forget that it is now the law to microchip all cats, so if you’re taking ownership of them, speak to the vets to insert a microchip with your contact details.
Learn basic cat body language
Whilst hissing and swiping are obvious “leave me alone signs” there may be others to pick up on such as flat ears, a hunched appearance and the fur standing on end. Once you gain a little trust with your feral cat, it may be important to spot these signs to know when to stop an interaction.
Resources for feral cat care and rehoming
Feral cats are usually better suited to a farm or rural environment. Occasionally, the Cats Protection may have farm cats available to rehome, so it is worth contacting your local centre. The CP also has lots of information on their website to help with rehoming or – more appropriately – caring for feral cats.
Local veterinary practices may also have stray, semi-feral or tamed cats that are looking for homes. Veterinary practices also work closely with CP, helping to neuter stray and feral cats to help control the wild cat population. If you are interested in rehoming a cat, contact your veterinary practice as a first point of call to see if they can offer any recommendations.
The world of social media can now quickly match us with a perfect feline friend. There are different Facebook groups that will be focussed of feral cat care, offering the best ways to look after them and provide them with what they need. Always proceed with caution when rehoming pets through social media and ensure that they are legitimate, and that the animal’s welfare is paramount. What looks to us like a good life might be torture for a truly feral cat!
Conclusion: Is rehoming a feral cat right for you?
Offering to house a long-term stray cat can come with its challenges, and you should be prepared for a long and slightly bumpy road in order to turn a semi-feral cat into a more domesticated cat. However, you should be aware that it may take a considerable amount of time, and most truly feral cats never adapt to home life.
There are different ways in which you can try to tame a feral cat, at least so you can get close to them, but you should not take on this task lightly. Speak with other cat rehomers, or ask your local veterinary practice for their advice. Remember, if you’re wanting a cat to fuss, snuggle and give plenty of affection to, a feral cat is not the best choice!
Feral cats are often great to have in a farm or livestock area, helping to keep vermin populations under control, with minimal input from humans. Sometimes, a life at home may make them too stressed!
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