![]() ![]() Within 7 years, these numbers skyrocket to 10,000, and the cycle of homeless cats producing more homeless cats continues. The following year, their 20-25 offspring will then birth an additional 20-25 new kittens each, resulting in an increase of over 700 cats within just 3 years. This means each outdoor cat has the potential to add another 3-5 litters, or about 20-25 new kittens every year, to our already massive homeless animal overpopulation problem here in the South. Only about 3% of Community Cats (out of an estimated 80 million) are spayed, neutered, and vaccinated. ![]() Regardless of their demeanor or classification as “stray” or “feral,” these Community Cats have one thing in common: their ability to reproduce exponentially. These cats have come to know their environment well enough to stay alive, including where their food and water source is, where to survive a mild winter night, and where their other colony members are. Because of the complexity and likely failure of attempting to “socialize” a feral cat, in addition to the general consensus that these cats- completely unfamiliar with humans in any way other than seeing them throw out a merciful handful of whatever they happen to be eating while spotting the cat- truly “feral” cats cannot be adopted into homes as typical pets. ![]() If trapped or cornered, these cats will typically panic instantly, oftentimes causing harm to themselves in their attempt to escape a human. Community cats may fall into two categories: a “ stray” cat probably once lived indoors as a pet, and was then abandoned or given away “ free to a good home” to an irresponsible pet owner, but you can usually tell these cats are familiar with and even friendly to humans, as well as being more vocal than a cat defined as “ feral.” Feral cats are the other kind of Community Cat- still the same species as pet/domesticated cats, but are frightened of people and avoid human contact by all means necessary. Community cats are unowned or semi-owned cats that live their lives outdoors. ![]()
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