Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Society for the Friends of Ferals

My kitty is lost - help!

Please review our suggestions on how to find your lost cat or kitten here: Tips for a Lost Cat

What is TNR?

Trap-neuter-return (TNR) is a program through which free-roaming cats are trapped, spayed or neutered then returned to the outdoor locations where they were originally found. If those locations are deemed unsafe or otherwise inappropriate, the cats may be relocated to a barn or a safer location. Kittens young enough to be socialized, and friendly adult cats, may be placed in foster care for eventual adoption into homes as companion animals rather than returned to the outdoors. Cats found suffering with terminal, untreatable, and/or contagious illnesses or injuries are often euthanized if no other solutions can be found.

Unspayed feral female cats spend most of their lives pregnant and hungry, as will their female kittens that survive. Their gestation period is 52 to 65 days and they can have up to three litters every year. This can easily amount to thousands of homeless cats descending from the same female within four years. Unneutered tomcats fight to win mates, often suffering debilitating wounds. Spaying and neutering these cats help stop the cycle of suffering! With the return to their known environment and regular feeding, these unwanted cats can go on to lead better lives.

Feral Colonies: Ferals that are spayed or neutered and fed are less likely to roam far from their environment. Remember that they perform a community service by controlling the rodent population. Help out by spaying or neutering your own pet, then contributing to the care of those who have no place to call home.

Ready to rescue a free-roaming kitty? Here is a handy guide: Trapping Tips

Feral and Stray Cats - An Important Difference

Alley Cat Allies have an informative Fact Sheet. Download it here: Feral and Stray Cats - An Important Difference

I have a new cat or kitten - any advice?

Our volunteers have assembled a variety of information to help you adjust to life with your new kitty, from behaviours to what you will need to know to make life with kitty harmonious throughout the years.

Please feel free to download and print the following Friends of Ferals publications:

Should I get my cat fixed?

Be Kind: Spay or Neuter your Pet. The sad fact is that only one kitten in five will live. The others will die because there are no homes for them ... from disease, abuse or neglect. Every litter, planned or accidental, causes pet overpopulation. What choice do you have? The only responsible one. Give your pet a longer, healthier life. Spay or neuter your pet.

The Prolific Kitty Cat: Gestation Period = 52 to 65 days

Two breeding cats, plus all their kittens and their kittens' kittens, if none are ever spayed or neutered add up to:

1st year = 12
2nd year = 66
3rd year = 382
4th year = 2,201
5th year = 12,680
6th year = 73,041
7th year = 420,715
8th year = 2,423,316
9th year = 13,958,290
10th year = 80,399,780

Fun facts: Is Your Cat a Floosie?

Need help getting your cat spayed or neutered and don't know where to go?

The Nova Scotia SPCA is launching a new PUP Program (Prevent Unwanted Pets) to help get your pet spayed and prevent unwanted litters. For more information and to apply online, please click here: P.U.P. Program - Nova Scotia

My cat is fearful. What should I do?

To read Best Friends' publication entitled "Socializing Cats: How to Socialize a Very Shy or Fearful Cat", please click here: How to Socialize Cats

Is declawing cats advisable?

Declawing cats is painful, unnecessary and inhumane. What's more, elective cat declawing is now banned in the province of Nova Scotia. This new law came into effect on March 15, 2018.

To read Alley Cat Allies' publication, please click here: Declawing Cats

Has your cat already been declawed? Please read this Facebook post for more information about what can happen and what you can do about it to ease the suffering of your cat: The Paw Project

Are whiskers really necessary?

Cats use whiskers to determine the position and movement of an object or of prey. Whiskers also help cats to measure the width of an opening before they attempt to go through it. It they are cut off, cats become temporarily incapacitated.

To read more, please click here: The Function of Cat Whiskers

What is FIV / FeLV?

FIV and FeLV are incurable viruses that only affect cats. Humans cannot catch or transmit these viruses. Not all cats that become infected will develop the disease.

To read Alley Cat Allies' publication, please click here: Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)

Should I advertise "Free to a Good Home”?

You’ve found yourself in a situation where you can no longer care for your beloved family pet. The shelters are full and you are unable to find anyone willing to adopt kitty. You're desperate to find a new home for kitty and wondering if advertising "Free to a Good Home" will accelerate the process.

If you decide to advertise “Free to a Good Home” beware that there is an inherent danger. Dishonest people, who may appear to be genuine, often use felines as bait for dog fights, food for exotic animals or other unscrupulous reasons. Vet each potential adopter carefully and check references.

Often kittens adopted out as "free to a good home" are never fixed, causing more unwanted kittens to be born to a harsh world without food or shelter.

Be Prepared for Disasters

No matter where you live, natural disasters can happen without warning. Alley Cat Allies have an informative brochure which you may download here: Cat Disaster Guide

Please do not abandon your pet outdoors as this compounds the feral cat overpopulation problem for everyone.

Additional Resources: