100% of FERAL cats and kittens brought into most county run shelters are euthanized, not because the people who run them are cruel, because there is a serious overpopulation problem of homeless cats. In addition, most 'pet' cats are killed in a very short time.

Seven out of every ten cats who enter animal control pounds and shelters are killed.

Most people have good hearts. Many people have amazing hearts. Here's a list or resources, manned by those with exceptional hearts, dedicated to doing what they can to live cruelty free.

About Feral Cats: The Difference Between Feral and Stray

Feral cats are not strays, but the offspring of a 'stray' or abandoned cat will be feral. Ferals are born in the wild, the alleyways of cities, behind shopping areas or businesses, in parks, abandoned buildings, and rural areas and have no human contact from birth. Ferals are NOT indigenous animals, suited to live outdoors, but they're there nevertheless, the result of human indifference, neglect, or cruelty to their predecessors. They are afraid of humans, and rightly so.

Living short, brutal lives, dying from predation, disease, starvation, being hit by cars, and from the elements, they still manage to leave offspring, many, many offspring, all of whom are homeless. It's a shame on our society that our urban alleys are filled with feral cats. If you're saying to yourself 'Well, not in my neighborhood,' then your neighborhood probably has coyotes that are feasting on the ferals before they multiply to the point where you notice them. Ferals hide from people, and with good reason. Animal Control rounds them up and gasses them. There's a feral cat for every man, woman, and child in America.

But there's hope for these blameless animals. Feral Cat Coalitions have sprung up in every major city of the United States, and around the civilized world, with armies of loving volunteers practicing trap/neuter/return and then caregiving the fixed colonies. Ferals do come to trust those who protect them. And the babies can be rescued, socialized, fixed, and given to good homes. Kittens born wild can be socialized. Eight weeks and under is the standard cut-off point, but my husband and I have socialized ferals as old as 3 months, and even a few adults. It takes longer requires more effort, and a feral socialized when older will seldom be quite as relaxed as a kitten born inside. They survive by responding to every change in the wind, every sound, every smell. Sometimes those protective reflexes never leave, but cats naturally seek love and affection, and even an adult rescued feral can become a wonderful companion. We've had adult ferals jump in our laps for attention, or run inside and plop down to be petted.

One woman we met had been feeding a feral female who was pregnant. She opened the door one morning and the mommy cat ran inside, jumped on a chair and gave birth to nine kittens. So desperate was she to protect her babies from the elements and predation, she overcame her fear of humans all at once, taking a chance on the kind lady who had been giving her food. It paid off. Mommy and babies came to us where she was cared for, spayed, and given the medical attention she needed. All her babies were fixed, given shots, basic medical care, and socialized for adoption. Mommy and one daughter found a loving home together with her benefactor.

A stray or abandoned cat will often approach you on the street, begging for food. That cat has been dumped. It had a home. Please feed it. If you don't want it or can't keep it, find a home for it. If you can't do that, please take the cat to your local HUMANE Society, NOT Animal Control, where it will surely be euthanized. Please make sure you place the cat in a NO KILL shelter. Shelters everywhere are over-crowded as too many people believe it's fine to leave their cats behind when they move, or drive the unwanted pet to another part of town and set it loose, believing it will 'land on its feet'. It won't.

If you abandon a pet you're condemning it to a gruesome death. It would be more humane to shoot your friend in the head. Please don't misunderstand: I am NOT recommending you kill your pet. I'm trying to say that an instant death would be preferable to the long suffering of abandonment. Find your pet a good home!

We've encountered many 'dumped' cats, and they suffer depression and low self-esteem as well as malnutrition and illness from living in the elements. I've had them 'ask me' if it's all right to sit down on a pillow or couch or eat the food placed before them. That's how shaken their self worth can become when they're dumped. Cats are like children, with an emotional age of five or six. They blame themselves for the abandonment, believing they're worthless. I've seen it more times than I care to remember.

The truth is, the feral and homeless population of cats and dogs crowding our streets are 100% the result of human irresponsibility. FIX your pet. DON'T DUMP your pet. It's cruel. I did it myself, back when I had no comprehension of the pain I was causing. Now that I know, I'm haunted by the suffering I caused. I'm making amends.