Why Does Kauai Have 1000's of Feral Cats?
Your city probably does too!
Feral cats are wild cats that are homeless, living outdoors, trying to survive. It's very difficult for them to find a daily supply of food and fresh water, and many starve. They have to compete with all the natural wild animals and birds for crumbs and food people have thrown away, or try to catch mice. Most all feral cats are very skinny, malnourished, and dehydrated.
It's also dangerous, and many cats get run over, catch diseases, get injured, or are abused. It's a very hard life for feral cats. Most of the feral cats also have feline AIDS, which is fatal and infects healthy cats through blood and saliva.
Feral cats live in colonies. They are safer in groups and take care of each other. Single cats who are not in a colony usually cannot fend for themselves.
Here's an excerpt from Feral Cat Coalition:
Feral cats are the 'wild' offspring of domestic cats and are primarily the result of pet owners' abandonment or failure to spay and neuter their animals, allowing them to breed uncontrolled. Feral cat 'colonies' can be found behind shopping areas or businesses, in alleys, parks, abandoned buildings, and rural areas. They are elusive and do not trust humans.
Many people assume their animals will survive when they move away and leave them behind. Contrary to popular belief, domestic animals do not automatically return to their "natural" instincts and cannot fend for themselves! Already, U.S. animal shelters are forced to kill an estimated 15 million homeless cats and dogs annually. The alternative to humane euthanasia for almost every stray is a violent end or slow, painful death. Many "throwaways" die mercilessly outdoors from starvation, disease, abuse --- or as food to a predator.
A pair of breeding cats, which can have two or more litters per year, can exponentially produce 420,000 offspring over a seven-year period, And the overpopulation problem carries a hefty price tag. Statewide, more than $50 million (largely from taxes) is spent by animal control agencies and shelters for cat-related expenses.
