FERAL CATS

Damage Prevention and Control Methods

Exclusions

• Practical for protecting small poultry and mammals

Cultural Methods

Clean up debris, burn refuse and brush piles, seal buildings, reduce habitat and food sources

Frightening

Dogs

Trapping

Box traps

Identification
The cat has been the most resistant to change of all the animals that humans have domesticated. All members of the cat family, wild or domesticated, have a broad, stubby skull, similar facial characteristics, lithe, stealthy movements, retractable claws (except the cheetah), and nocturnal habits.

Feral cats are house cats living in the wild. They are small in stature, weighting from 3-8 pounds, standing 8-12 inches high at the shoulder, and 14-24 inches long. The tail adds another 8-12 inches to their length

Habitat
Feral cats prefer areas in and around human habitation. They use abandoned buildings, barns, haystacks, post piles, junked cars, brush piles, weedy areas, culverts, and other places that provide cover and protection.

General Biology, Reproduction, and Behavior
Feral cats produce 2-10 kittens during any month of the year. An adult female may produce 3 litters per year where food and habitat are sufficient. Cat are most active during twilight and night hours. While house cats can live up to 27 years, Feral cats only average a lifespan of 3-5 years. They are territorial and move within a home range of roughly 1.5 square miles. After several generations, feral cats can be considered to be totally wild in habits and temperament

Damage
Feral cats feed extensively on songbirds, game birds, mice and other rodents, and rabbits. These cats serve as a reservoir for human and wildlife diseases, including cat scratch fever, distemper, histoplasmosis, leptospirosis, mumps, plague, rabies, ringworm, salmonellosis, toxoplasmosis, tularemia, and various endo- and ectroparasites.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The above information was adapted from PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF WILDLIFE DAMAGE with permission of the editors, Scott E. Hygnstrom, Robert M. Timm, and Gary E. Larson (Cooperative Extension Division, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Nebraska-Lincoln, United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Animal Damage Control, Great Plains Agricultural Council Wildlife Committee). It is will great gratitude and appreciation that we are able to pass along this useful information.