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Cats/birth control fo feral cats

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Expert: - 8/3/2009


Question
I live out in the country and I have approx 7 'feral' cats that stop by looking for food. I have become attached and feeling sorry for them, so I have been feeding them.  However, I know I will have a problem soon as they multiply.  They will not let me approach them to where I can touch them.  Is there some kind of birth control I can put in their food or water to stop the rapid multiplying that I know will occur soon?  I dont want to have to starve them away before the neighbors complain about the increase in coyotes as they will surely be attracted to so many cats.

Answer
Bob,

As far as I know, there is no effective birth control that can be reliably given to feral cats.  

There are groups, e.g., Alley Cat Allies, See:

https://www.alleycat.org/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?pid=196&tab=1

which specialize in Trapping, Testing, Neutering/Spaying, Vaccinating, Releasing feral cats.  Feral cats who are neutered or spayed seem to keep whole cats out of their territory.

Their web site is full of helpful tips in getting started.

Best regards... Norm.  

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Norman Auspitz

Expertise

I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.

Experience

I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.


Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.

Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook

Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.

Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.

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