First time Ferals and Strays?!

Hey guyssss!

I just joined 'thecatsite' today (woopwoop!) so bare with me!
Anyway, I am an experienced but young pet owner (not too young but not quite an adult ;P) having owned around 40-45 pets (pond creatures included). I have never had a cat and can't buy one due to my mums allergies (they wouldn't be a problem so long as the feral/ stray DOES NOT enter the house). However, my mum has had a cat before she had the allergies so knows a little bit about them and would love a cat but her allergies get in the way! Despite not being able to buy a cat, I would like to help feral and stray cats even if I can't have a cuddle on the sofa (I have a gorgeous dog to occupy my sofa space as well as, hopefully, two bunnies on the way!) I would love to be able to bond and just lend a helping hand to less fortunate cats!
That's where you come in! I'd really appreciate it if you could answer a few questions for me as well as any tips on using this forum!

1) HOW can I help less feral/stray cats?
2) WHAT do I need?
3) WHO do you know that could give me good information? I.e Youtubers, websites, blogs, Instagram accounts!
4) Could you leave all information you know on Ferals and strays?
5) Any good links?

THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH! Xx

astrayortwo said:

Hey guyssss!

I just joined 'thecatsite' today (woopwoop!) so bare with me!
Anyway, I am an experienced but young pet owner (not too young but not quite an adult ;P) having owned around 40-45 pets (pond creatures included). I have never had a cat and can't buy one due to my mums allergies (they wouldn't be a problem so long as the feral/ stray DOES NOT enter the house). However, my mum has had a cat before she had the allergies so knows a little bit about them and would love a cat but her allergies get in the way! Despite not being able to buy a cat, I would like to help feral and stray cats even if I can't have a cuddle on the sofa (I have a gorgeous dog to occupy my sofa space as well as, hopefully, two bunnies on the way!) I would love to be able to bond and just lend a helping hand to less fortunate cats!
That's where you come in! I'd really appreciate it if you could answer a few questions for me as well as any tips on using this forum!

1) HOW can I help less feral/stray cats?
2) WHAT do I need?
3) WHO do you know that could give me good information? I.e Youtubers, websites, blogs, Instagram accounts!
4) Could you leave all information you know on Ferals and strays?
5) Any good links?

THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH! Xx

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1.  One trap to avoid for wannabees, is to "just" leave out food.  If you leave food, you must have a plan for it.  It will be usually TNR (trap, neuter, return) and or adopt.

Compare with the jewish proverb:  its a good deed to give the hungry a meal.  But it becomes a very good deed first when you teach him an occupation - ie help him her to find a means to manage on her own.

So, probably cooperation with a rescue group which do much rescuing and TNR work is the better answer, if you want to help the homeless, and the semiferales.

You can help with the catchings - and having eyes open if there IS someone ferale in the area.  Or a dumped home cat.

Helping out as volontaire at some shelter,  helping to socialize cats there, and giving them human company, doing some cleaning, singing for them... Is another hot option.

Hey, I got an idea.  Help to find good adoption homes!    It may be for tame well socialized cats whom needs a new home. They may still have an owner whom perhaps got sick or will move soon.   Or they are in the shelter.   It may be shy rescued semiferales whom needs some fostering - but will adapt nicely to a friendly family.

You may even make some money on it in the commission fee, at least for the cats already owned if you find them a good new home.   Many owners whom must find another solution will be very grateful for that help, and will gladely pay for it.  Some will even pay good money, as long as they are sure it was a really good solution.

A tip: many cats are happy with a cat pal. So a give source is to go on owners of one cat household.

Welcome!  Your enthusiasm is most welcome.  My first bit of advice s that you spend time on this site just reading the posts - you will learn a lot.

If you click on the "articles" button in the red bar at the top, you will see lots more information, too.  A lot of it is specific to strays and ferals.

If there is a rescue group in your area, ask to volunteer with them.  They will be able to introduce you to all you need to know.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

Thank you for the reply!

I think I'm going to contact all of the sanctuaries near me tomorrow and see what they have to say! 

astrayortwo said:

 
Thank you for the reply!

I think I'm going to contact all of the sanctuaries near me tomorrow and see what they have to say! 

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*REPLIES

I checked out some articles and they were very helpful!

Also, I will be sure to keep you all up to date!  

astrayortwo said:

 
Thank you for the reply!

I think I'm going to contact all of the sanctuaries near me tomorrow and see what they have to say! 

Click to expand...

A part of my answer fell away.  If you cooperate with a group or shelter doing TNR, you can perhaps also be a caretaker of such a colony of TNR:ed cats.

Better so than for example, you yourself give food for any cat whom is passing by...

This is of course a quite tedious work, must be done every day for years...  But you are improving your character, not even mentioning your Karma grows quite a lot.

Good luck!

StefanZ said:

 
A part of my answer fell away.  If you cooperate with a group or shelter doing TNR, you can perhaps also be a caretaker of such a colony of TNR:ed cats.

Better so than for example, you yourself give food for any cat whom is passing by...

This is of course a quite tedious work, must be done every day for years...  But you are improving your character, not even mentioning your Karma grows quite a lot.

Good luck!

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I am aware that this all takes a lot of planning, so your responses and ideas all mean a lot to me!

Im not sure if shelters in England (or near me) do TNR so I shall find out!

Thank you!

Would you have a Cat's Protection Society near you?  My understanding is that they are quite supportive of helping both strays and ferals.

Ondine said:

Would you have a Cat's Protection Society near you?  My understanding is that they are quite supportive of helping both strays and ferals.

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I just checked and I have one pretty close to me! I think they might be a bit more helpful than my local shelter but I'll have to wait until I've rung them both as I unfortunately didn't get time today

astrayortwo said:

I just checked and I have one pretty close to me! I think they might be a bit more helpful than my local shelter but I'll have to wait until I've rung them both as I unfortunately didn't get time today

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Yeah, its important the group your volunteer for, is nice and friendly.  there are some whom are quite horrendous, with people whom are more to be into a boss, someone "important"  than to be nice to hishers coworkers - and to the cats.

There is no point of letting them drain out your energy.  If it comes to the worst, you can always work in some other way for the cats.