​Frequently Asked Questions

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Q:      What’s a feral cat?

 

A:      Feral cats in urban areas are usually the offspring of domestic cats that have grown up with limited human contact. They are wild or semi- wild. Some of the campus cats have lived around students so long, they become “socialized ferals”.

 

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Q:      What’s a stray cat?

 

A:      Stray cats are domesticated cats, often someone’s pet, that have lost their way or have been abandoned by their owner. These cats may still respond to humans.

 

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Q:     How did all these cats get here?

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A:      Feral cats originate from multiple sources. Many ferals/strays are the offspring of local unsterilized family pets that either escaped or were abandoned by their  owner.   Some graduating students leave their pets behind when they leave the university. Some cat owners will dump their cats at universities thinking they will be taken care of by the facility or students. Some cats travel unexpectedly in the engine compartment of a vehicle and jump out when the student gets to campus.  If unsterilized, these cats will continue to reproduce and before long there are numerous cats around campus. Many watch humans from a distance,  others will let you pet them and even rub up against you.

 

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Q:     Why don’t rescue groups just take the cats?

 

A:      Local rescue groups deal with adoptable, socialized animals. Feral cats are not house cats. They cannot handle enclosed spaces or being near people. They are not candidates for rescue adoption programs.

 

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Q:     Can the feral cats be adopted as barn cats?

 

A:     Sometimes feral cats can be adopted as barn cats, but before releasing them, it’s important to acclimate them to the area by keeping them in a secure enclosure inside the barn for several weeks. This process helps the cats adjust to the sights, sounds, and smells of their new environment, and teaches them to recognize the barn as their home base. Proper acclimation reduces the risk that the cats will try to leave or get lost after being released, ensuring they are more likely to stay and provide natural rodent control for the property.

 

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Q:     Can the friendly cats be adopted?

 

A:      Yes, the friendly cats can be evaluated as being adoptable and can be placed into homes. Some may be friendly on campus but not appropriate for house dwellings. Kittens may be able to be placed into forever homes while still young. All kittens are placed in homes only after they are spayed or neutered and fully  vaccinated.

 

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Q:     Why aren’t they just exterminated?

 

A:     Texas law treats stray and feral cats the same as domestic cats. They cannot be treated in a cruel manner that causes or permits unjustified or unwarranted pain or suffering. They must receive necessary food, water, care or shelter. See Texas Penal Code 42.092, Cruelty to Non-livestock Animals.

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Q:     What is TNR?

 

A:      Trap-Neuter-Return Program. This is a nonlethal population control practice in which an animal is trapped; then sterilized by a veterinarian; marked by notching or tipping one ear and then returned to the trap location. TNR encourages the campus community to control and care for cat populations, helping prevent their numbers from increasing. The program remains ongoing due to the continual arrival of new cats on campus.