Need Advice: Feral Cat in Puppy's Yard

[DJ & Chance]

A feral cat lives in my backyard, and my puppy Chance is obsessed with its scents and droppings when we go out to play.  If I let him off leash, he runs to the various cat hideouts under bushes, and immediately picks up flees.  The cat has not scratched him, but he has found the remains of birds from kitty dinners.

 

I worry that Chance will be vulnerable to diseases from this cat and its habits.  But I don’t want to hurt the cat and so I am considering a live trap, a trip to the vet for spaying or neutering, flee control, worming, etc.  After that, I imagine relocating the cat because I don’t really want it in my yard. 

 

Cat lovers out there, can you provide advice?  Can feral cats be relocated successfully?  Are there organizations that can help?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

A lot of local ASPCAs and other humane organizations have trap/neuter/release programs for feral cat colonies. I would try to find out.

Your puppy is definitely at risk for fleas and other parasites and disease from this cat and from the remains of its meals. I am as big an animal lover as anyone else, but if it's a choice between JD's welfare and a feral cat's , JD wins every time. I would not want it in my yard either, and would do everything I could to find a humane way to remove it from my yard.

[DJ & Chance]

Because local ASPCAs are overwhelmed by feral cat populations & under resourced, I learned a few days ago that it could be a month or two until they are able deal with my issue.  I don't think I want to wait that long, and I am willing to trap/neuter and hopefully find a suitable place to release on my own if necessary.  But your advice is good--I will talk with humane organization volunteers about options for releasing a feral cat once it is neutered.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Well, if you want to try to trap him yourself, I recommend trying to get ahold of a Havahart trap. 

Sadly, in areas where there are very heavy feral cat populations and not enough resources for neuter and release programs, they will often trap them and euthanize them.  

 

[DJ & Chance]

That's what happens here.  I want to avoid that but also get the cat out of my yard . . . I'll keep working towards that end!  Thanks so much.

[Pat and Traveler]

I can testify that the Havahart traps do work.  I haven't trapped a cat, but I did trap and relocate three squirrels from my attic.  Best of luck with your efforts!  I wouldn't want a feral cat in the yard.

[DJ & Chance]

I called a friend who has trapped squirrels with a Havahart :) and she will loan the trap to me.  My vet will neuter or spay (my dime).  Now I need to work on where to release the cat when this is done.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

They do best in suburban park areas, where they have hiding places and not too much traffic but are close to food sources and not too far out in the wild where they become the prey for other predators. If there is a park near a suburban "downtown" area where there are restaurants, trash cans, etc, that's your best bet, although it might be hard to release a cat there legally. Next best bet is a park near a suburban school or community center, that kind of thing.

[Sheila & Finnley]

In my city they have a trap, neuter and re-release program. If you can trap and remove the cat, and find it a humane society to take it they could neuter it. If it is totally feral they might re-release it somewhere where there is a monitored feral cat colonie. If it stays around your yard it will NOT remain being an only cat. There will be dozens, and dozens more before you even realise it. An unspayed female cat can produce up to 3, maybe even 4 litters a year. Add to that at least 4 kittens a litter, they don't usually have big litters, but still, 3 or 4 add up, and that is 12 or more cats ! 

I have dealt with this problem and it is hard to find help. Good luck to you. Let us know how it works out for you.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This is so true, and what makes it even worse is that the kittens from the same litters  breed with each other (and even with their own parents) from the earliest possible age, so each succeeding generation becomes weaker and more sickly and prone to all kinds of genetic diseases, and some of the deformities you see can just break your heart. They are all crawling with vermin, too.

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

Just something to think about.  You might want to ask the best way to re-release the cat once you have caught and neutered it.  You would not want to be seen doing that and someone think you abandoning an animal, a very humane and generous gesture would end up looking bad. 

[Ginny Nightingale]

Some towns have organizations that spay/neuter and feed feral cats but leave them in the outdoors. We have one in a nearby town and I think people may release cats there--not really a great situation, but at least the cats are fed and not reproducing.

[DJ & Chance]

Thanks, Judy.  Good caution!