As college students living in or near apartment complexes, it's not uncommon to find a friendly stray cat! Our instinct is typically to begin caring for our furry friend, to ensure they have a safe shelter and are provided with food. But a cat outdoors, especially an unaltered cat outdoors, can mean several things.
An unaltered cat is extremely likely to contribute to the feral population size by reproducing. If the top quarter inch of the left ear is intact on a stray cat, this typically means the cat is not spayed or neutered (this is called an "ear tip"). Trappers have designated the ear tip as a universal symbol to indicate that a feral cat has been fixed already, and does not need to be trapped again. During surgery, these cats are also vaccinated against rabies and the feline parvo-virus. If you've found a cat with an ear tip, don't worry! He or she has already been in to see the vet, and is unable to reproduce.
If, however, you find a cat without an ear tip, there are several things to consider.
1. Is this cat an outdoor cat that belongs to someone? If the cat has a collar, tags or looks well fed and clean, chances are they have an owner and are simply taking themselves on a walk. Get to know the local outdoor cats in your area to make sure they have a human looking out for them!
2. If you are unsure whether or not the kitty belongs to someone (does not have identification, no tags, looks unkempt or sick) you can attempt to locate a possible owner. All veterinary clinics and shelters are equipped with microchip scanners that can trace an animal back to it's owner. Sometimes kitties get lost or wander too far away from home. Check local lost pets forums and scan the area for missing cat flyers to see if anyone is missing a cat.
3. If you are certain the cat does not have an owner, you can bring him or her into a veterinary clinic to be sterilized, vaccinated and microchipped. This will prevent further feral population growth, protect the kitty against infectious disease, and make sure they are identifiable! Many outdoor cats are friendly enough to be placed into homes. Contact your local shelter or rescue organization to find an adopter or foster placement.
This past week, a wonderful PHD/DVM student at UC Davis found a friendly feral in her apartment complex. By working with local organizations and with a little team work, we were able to get Gordon here neutered and into a safe environment. The veterinarian estimated Gordon to be about 3 years old! Imagine how many litters he may have fathered in that time period! For now, he is testicle free and living the life with lots of affection and love.
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