Here’s a list of ideas for helping ferals weather the winter storms–and prepare for TNR efforts before kitten season arrives (it’s not as far away as it might seem!) Provide shelter for feral cats.

Frostbite does not occur at a specific temperature, but rather results from a combination of cold weather, heat loss, and decreased blood flow.Īccording to Rutter, some pets are especially sensitive to cold weather, including older animals, newborn animals, underweight and small animals, and those with shaved fur. She said that hypothermia may cause pets to seem mentally dull or antisocial while frostbite shows up as swollen, red lesions. “In some climates, generalized hypothermia and frostbite of toes, ears, lips, the nose, and the tail can certainly occur.” “The majority of cold weather related illnesses have to do with exposure to the cold itself,” Rutter said. Christine Rutter, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. Pin it to remember how to help feral cats during winter weather!Ĭold weather affects pets the same way it does people, said Dr.Download the free Neighborhood Cats TNR Handbook.Provide Fresh Water Daily and Additional Food.Insulate the Shelter Against Moisture as Well as Cold.

You can help with trapping, transportation, donations, and even drop-off/pick-up, but the caregiver should be the one who signs the release form to use our service. To schedule an appointment, call FCCO at 50.

The caregiver may feel overwhelmed by the trapping or transporting of the cats, and your help might be just what they need to get it done. When the person feeding the cats is open to spaying and neutering, or learning more about it, direct them to our website or hand them an a downloadable FCCO brochure. Remember that not everyone will be open to your help, at least not right away. An open-minded and non-confrontational approach works best. If they don’t have an eartip, approach the person who is feeding the cats and have a conversation about the importance of spaying/neutering. If they do, the cats have been spayed/neutered and there might be another person feeding them as well. If you know someone who is feeding feral or stray catsĪsk if any of the cats have an ear tip.

Feeding feral cats download