My Cats Limited partner, Nancy Hutchins and I hear many cat stories.  One theme which recurs rather frequently is the idea that feral cats can never be tamed, or learn to enjoy living with people. 

  Trap, Neuter, Return is based on the idea.  If you want to make cats’ lives better, but the cats seem to be wild, what better way to help, than to trap, neuter,  return to home territory, and provide shelter, food, and water?  It works, and is done in more countries each year. TNR has  been shown to reduce feral cat numbers, because it does not create a vacuum, as removal does.  Nature hates a vacuum, and compensates with more and bigger litters of kittens born to the cats which move into the vacated territory. This is true of all species, not just cats.  Moreover, once ferals are spayed/neutered and given the necessary shots, monitoring has shown that such ferals are very healthy.  Rates of infectious diseases are the same as they are for tame cats living with people!

  That said, would you believe it if I told you that feral cats can be tamed?  Yes, they can, and I know a woman who has done it on numerous occasions!    We are not talking kittens here.  Those who do TNR know that if caught early, feral kittens can easily be tamed, and are often placed in good homes.  I can testify to that myself, based on my own experiences with cats.  Here is how she tames grown up feral cats.

  When an obviously feral cat shows up in her yard, she puts out food and water.  She talks to the cat from a distance, without trying to get close, to get it used to her voice.  It could take days or weeks of feeding and talking,  but eventually, the cat will tolerate both her voice and her presence.

  Next, she puts out an open cat carrier, and places the food next to it.  In time, she places the food just inside the carrier, and little by little, places it far back in the carrier.  When the cat goes in, eats, and leaves, s/he is ready to be trapped.

  Next, the live trap is placed where the carrier had been.  The food is placed next to it.  The same process is repeated.  When the cat will reach into the trap to eat, my friend calls her Vet, and alerts her to the incoming feral cat for spay or neuter.  When she places the food all the way in, she puts just a little in the dish.   She watches closely.  When the cat is trapped, she takes it to the Vet immediately. 

  Once trapped, spayed/neutered and has had shots, the cat is transferred to a large cage inside the house, with sleeping box, litter box, food and water. The transfer is a precise event, taking two people; one to hold strong cardboard strategically placed to prevent escape, and one to turn the trap gently sideways to facilitate opening the trap door inside the open cage door, allowing the cat to go into the cage. The cardboard is slid over the cage opening, as the trap is withdrawn. The door is shut and secured. The sleeping box inside faces the room.  She won’t let the cat hide. She allows one or two days for the captive to calm down, and then starts talking to him/her, and sitting nearby, reading. In two or three weeks, my friend starts reaching in with an old, stiff glove tied onto a broomstick, to pet the cat, always talking in a calm voice.  When the cat comes forward to get petted, she puts the glove on her hand, and pets.  She rewards friendly behavior with treats.  In another two or three weeks, she opens the door and walks away.  By then the resident cats have checked out the newcomer, and all have become familiar with each other’s scent, an important step towards acceptance into the household.

  It may take a few days before s/he comes out.  After that, the cage is kept in place.  It is the newcomer’s safe place, and s/he will go there to sleep.  When s/he stops returning to the cage, it is put away.  My friend advises not to let the newcomer out of the house.  By then, s/he is a member of the family, and is thoroughly tame, sitting on laps, and getting on well with everyone.  (My friend claims that tamed ferals become more loving than other cats!  She says they are grateful for good homes, food, and loving care).  So, can feral cats be tamed?  What do you think?

  If you keep your cats inside for safety as I do,  that is fine.  However,  in public places such as the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, where dozens of cats are maintained by caretakers who provide shelters, food, water, and veterinary care, (starting with spay/neuter and shots), indoor living is not an option for every cat. So Trap, Neuter, Return, (TNR) is a workable answer to large numbers of homeless cats.  Another place where a similar system works very well is on the private island of the late author, Ernest Hemingway, where his beloved cats are maintained in perpetuity, thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers, and a special trust.  

   Pat Leadley, 548 8732