Many cats are born in the wild and have very difficult time finding shelter food and water.  I have seven cats of which two (Jessie Jane and Michael picture left) are feral cats found as kittens in a neighbors barn.  Once I had the cats visit the vet to review their health, I had to contain them in the bedroom to keep them away the other cats.  I put food and water out, introduced them to the litter box and bought them toys so they wouldn’t get bored.   They both spent for about two weeks hiding under the bed, hissing, meowing and otherwise letting their displeasure be known.  Then came the time to start taming the pair of kittens to me and the rest of the cats.

Taming these lovely cats required talking to them.  Using a calming, soothing tone and talking softly.  I had to let them come to me not making any sudden moves.  Once they felt comfortable with me and the surroundings I started introducing them to the other cats.  This took almost two months of hiding, hissing and letting the other cats know of their displeasure.

Ferrel cats can make beautiful life time friends. Once your new Ferrel kittens are settled in, getting along with the family of feline friends, you will have a cat that will give you love for years. These cats can be standoffish or very cuddly. It depends on you and circumstances. The cuddly ones will be wonderful pets, and the standoffish ones will be very attached to you but won’t care for strangers at all. It will take time. How much time it takes will depend on the cat. Eventually, that cat who wouldn’t come near you or would bite and scratch if you got too close, will wrap itself around your legs and purr.

If you don’t ever adopt Ferrel the cats around your home, you should at least provide them with food and provide an out door cat house to protect them from cold weather in the winter.

We know how much you care about cats and want to help protect them. Now you can celebrate NFCD by reaching out to others with the message that feral cats are healthy and happy outdoors and that Trap-Neuter-Return improves cats’ lives. Get involved and show your support for stray and feral cats by distributing educational materials or hosting local events like workshops, fundraisers, or special neuter clinic days.  Here are some suggestions from Alley Cat Allies Read a list of events and activities ideas.

Several things you might try are Trap-Neuter-Return effort—in your backyard or throughout your community, or help your feral cat friends by providing an outdoor cat house for the winter.

With your help, we can truly make a difference in cats’ lives. You can be their voice—on National Feral Cat Day, and all year round.

I feel thankful that these feral cats are outdoors instead of in our nation’s animal pound and shelter system where they face certain death…I feel thankful that Alley Cat Allies can provide the advice to help caregivers care for the colonies that they love…And I feel thankful that our educational campaigns are teaching citizens across the nation about the best ways to care for feral cats this winter.

Yet as winter approaches, I am also terrified.  Terrified that well meaning citizens who haven’t heard the message people will trap and take cats to animal pounds, hoping to get them out of the cold.  Terrified that the flawed policies of shelters and local governments around the country will be carried out, and that cats will be killed instead of being allowed to live long, happy, healthy lives outdoors.

As you walk outside this week and the incoming cold breeze passes, I hope that you, like me, are thankful for the thousands of people who lovingly care for cats around this nation. And I hope you understand why we need to help these cats by providing a outdoor cat house on your property that will protect them for the winter months.

It’s a story I hear every day: nervous caregivers get in touch with Alley Cat Allies to tell us about neighbors who don’t like the local cats and seem likely to call animal control to have the cats taken to the shelter. Most of the time, these neighbors aren’t aware that the cats are being cared for and fed. And they don’t know why calling animal control is such a bad idea.

But you and I know that, more often than not, no good can come from a phone call to animal control. Virtually 100% of feral cats who enter the animal shelter system are killed.

The fact of the matter is that these situations are common. And there are simple ways to address them using Alley Cat Allies’ community relations tools. It starts with education: teaching neighbors about the special characteristics of feral cats and why Trap-Neuter-Return is the best way to care for them. Often, by listening to neighbor’s concerns to uncover the root of the problem, simple solutions can be found that help people and cats live together.

One woman recently shared her story with me. Using Alley Cat Allies’ How to Live With Cats in Your Neighborhood brochure, Karen convinced her neighbor that the cats were better off living in their shared alley—and she helped him install deterrents to keep the cats out of his flower beds. He was thrilled and the cats were safe.

Please find an affilite organization in your area and donate your help which is so need in these hard times.  You may also want to visit our site to purchase an outdoor cat house to help your ferral feline friends this comming winter.

I know my 7 cats go crazy every summer just to get out of the house and enjoy the great outdoors.  It is not a problem for my household because we live 1/2 mile up the lane from the street so there is no fear my friends will not get run over by a car.  For those households that live in the city, the Kittywalk  Cat Enclosure is the perfect answer to the problem of their cats getting hurt by passing traffic.  Let them enjoy the greater outdoors in the perfect enclosuer and giving you the peace of mind they are safe in the backyard.

Pamper Your Cat With The “Purrfect” New Accessory!

A warm welcome indeed, especially for your cats. The KatKabin outdoor cat house is a unique & innovative cat shelter that provides your cat with all the warmth, comfort & safety it is used to indoors. The latest KatKabin DezRez is the ideal snug shelter from rain, wind and cold whilst being fun and attractive – which is why we say it’s the Desirable Residence for fabulous felines!

What makes you think that my cat would like to use the KatKabin?
Cats in general like hiding away in enclosed spaces. The KatKabin is an enclosed space with only one opening on the front, very much like a hole in the ground. That makes your cat feel very secure. Cats are also naturally very inquisitive and clever. They soon discover that a KatKabin is a great place to have a snooze, being a safe haven from which they can watch the world go by. The Kat Flap door provides for extra warmth during the very cold days and nights in winter but your cat might like to get used to the KatKabin first before you attach it. You can do this very easily by just clipping the door on from the outside.

Usually feral cats are found in groups referred to as feral colonies.  A feral cat typically only lives up to 2 years due to the harsh lifestyle.  If you find that you have a feral cat living outside your home that you are feeding but it will not come near you, you should consider getting an outside cat house like the KatKabin which are insulated to protect the cat from the elements.

The Most Innovately Designed Outdoor Cat House on the Market

Cat Palace USA announces its newest unique out door shelter for cats.  Winter is on its way and one needs to protect their feline friends from the cold tempertures.  The Winter Warmer can be inserted into all KatKabin™ for added insulation and extra warmth in extreme conditions.  When you cannot be there to let him in, KatKabin™ is the place for your cat to be safe, warm and cozy until you return. This durable insulated plastic cat house also makes an ideal outdoor shelter for abandoned, wild or feral cats. If you can’t give it a key to your home, give it a key to its own.