Feral cat issues in your neighborhood?

If you need help with feral, stray or un-owned (community) cats in your neighborhood or work place, this site is intended to provide resources and answers to your questions. Through the assistance of volunteers from the A-Pal Humane Society, feral cats are no longer being euthanized just because they are brought into the shelter. State Law requires local animal shelters to transfer any animal to a non profit animal rescue organization upon request rather than euthanize that animal.

What is a Feral Cat?

Feral  Cats typically avoid people and can't be touched. These cats  live outdoors alone or in groups known as colonies. Most feral cats originated from stray cats that were lost or abandoned. Through generations with little to no human contact, These cats become feral.   

What can be done to help?

Traditionally, the method of feral cat control has been to trap and euthanize these cats. There is a common misconception that once these cats are trapped and removed from a neighborhood, the cat problem will go away. The reality seems to be that trapping and removing cats won't resolve the cat problem. This method has proven ineffective because the food source (dumpsters, garbage, rodents, etc.) usually remains. As a result, other cats eventually find their way into your neighborhood and will quickly repopulate the area.

Trap, Neuter and Return (TNR)

TNR is the most successful and proven method of reducing feral cat populations. TNR involves the careful trapping , spaying or neutering and vaccinating of the cats. The feral cats are then returned to their original location. Any cats that are social enough will be removed, spayed or neutered, and placed for adoption. All Kittens will be removed and placed into foster homes for socialization. Once they are at least 2 Lbs. and 8 weeks of age, they are spayed or neutered and placed for adoption.  The number of existing cats is reduced, and because there will be no more kittens, the colony becomes stable.

Feral cat traps may be rented from either Amador County Animal Control or the Feed Barn for a small fee. Spaying and neutering of Feral cats is free to Amador County residents. A-PAL Humane Society pays the veterinarian for the cost of the procedures. Contact any of the local small animal Veterinarians in Amador County for this service. Take the cat to the veterinarian of your choice in the trap. The cat will be spayed/neutered and placed  back in the trap. You can then re-release the cat at the location it was trapped. If you trap a mom cat that has a litter of kittens or you find a litter of kittens, bring them to Animal control. 

Kitten foster program

kittens that are too  small to be adopted at the time they are brought into the shelter are placed into A-Pal foster homes. The foster parents provide the kittens with needed  care and socialization. Once the kittens are at least 2 Lbs. and 8 weeks of age,  they are spayed/neutered and placed at the Feed Barn Store for adoption. If you are interested in becoming a Kitten foster parent, please contact A-Pal at (209) 223-0410 or Amador County Animal Control at (209) 223-6378 and we will put you in touch with the foster coordinator. All needed supplies to care for the kittens are provided at no cost to the care giver. 

Feral Colony management

If you are interested in managing a feral colony or assisting in the TNR process, please contact the A-Pal Humane Society at (209) 223-0410.