Until we adopted our little Talley, all our cats were barn cats. They were all adopted to live in our barn because they were considered “unadoptable” for some reason or other. Some have been feral, others were just not people-oriented, and others had behavior problems that no one could fix. One and all, they had issues that made life indoors as a pet more cruel than kind. So they came to us.
We provide basic veterinary care, food, and shelter to these cats, and in exchange their presence keeps rodents away. But not all feral cats are lucky enough to have a safe place to shelter when winter turns ugly.
In this week’s Pet Connection newspaper feature, my writing partner, Kim Campbell Thornton, and I dig into the many ways animal lovers can create and provide shelter for feral cats in their community or neighborhood. These methods are simple and inexpensive (or free!), and can mean the difference between life and death for a cat in winter.
They can also make it possible for those who work to spay/neuter and vaccinate these cats, to reduce illness and overpopulation, to more easily trap the kitties.
If you have unowned cats near you, and have wondered how they’ll get through the winter, please take a look at the information we’ve pulled together, and share it with your family, friends, and neighbors!
Out of the Cold: Keep community cats comfortable and safe during winter’s chill
Thanks, friends.
