Pet store/outlet for adoptable cats in Las Cruces NM
04/24/2025
‼️ TNR INFO, PLEASE READ‼️
You’ve probably seen them — cats roaming the streets, darting under porches, or slipping through backyards with no owner in sight. But how do so many end up feral, and what can you do about it?
According to Dr. Lena DeTar, associate clinical professor, at Cornell University’s Shelter and Medicine Department, the answer starts with understanding what a feral cat really is.
“A lot of people think that a feral cat is any cat that’s out wandering around,” Dr. DeTar said. “In my industry we use that term feral cat to mean any cat that’s not actually socialized to human contact,” she said. They are not just any stray cat.
Feral cats are skittish, keep their distance, and usually want nothing to do with humans. While they might seem harmless, their numbers can grow fast. “Cats can reproduce very quickly. They can have several litters a year so one cat can have several litters a year, and the population can get out of control pretty quickly,” she said.
If you see a truly feral cat (not just a stray) in your neighborhood, experts say don’t try to adopt them but don’t ignore them either. Dr. DeTar recommends a humane and effective strategy known as TNR: Trap, Neuter, Return. “There are organizations around that will do trap-neuter-return clinics where we will sterilize those cats, spay them and neuter them, get them vaccinated, get them the healthcare that they need and put them back into the environment they came from” said Dr. DeTar “They don’t make good pets, it’s like trying to keep a raccoon or skunk in your house,” she said.
There are programs that do spay and neuter clinics at a reduced cost to the people in the community that help out these cats. So, they can get them spayed and neutered, their shots and everything so that the issue doesn’t continue to happen,” she said. This method of TNR not only helps prevent future litters but helps stabilize the colony and reduce suffering.
Many people assume feeding feral cats without sterilizing them is helpful — but Dr. DeTar said that sometimes it can do more harm than good. “If there’s enough resources around, the animals will reproduce. So, if we are feeding feral cats a lot of food and not also managing the reproduction it will increase the number of feral cats around,” explained Dr. DeTar. “If animals are being fed as part of a managed colony, where all of those cats are spayed and neutered then it can be a really rewarding thing for community members to be doing,” she said.
Dr. DeTar suggest connecting with local TNR programs and spreading awareness. When it comes to feral cat populations, good intentions need the right action to truly make a difference.
By Caroline Stevens
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y
