TNR, Feral Cats, Door County and Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
~ Words to know ~
Not everyone who is lost or abandoned can hold up a cardboard sign
What is meant when we say a cat is feral? How does one know if a cat is a stray
or a homeless cat or a barn cat? It seems many use these words interchangeably,
but not all people mean the same thing by them. Therefore, as basic as it may
seem, here is how these words are used at The Cat Door.
Feral
cats are descended from domestic cats but are born and live without Homeless
cats are those who have been lost, abandoned, or dumped and Barn Cat
refers to any cats that do not adapt to indoor homes. They may be Strays are cats who were lost or abandoned and may or may not have accli-
Banner Photos ©Pierre Schweitzer used by permission and with thanks! From the Director: The Door County Humane Society supports the efforts For more information on the Door County Humane Society,
Existing Programs and Resources
A Google search of 'TNR Door County Wisconsin'
You see a cat that looks hungry. Maybe you give it a bite of your lunch and If you cannot touch or even approach 'the cat', it is likely a feral or stray. At some point you become aware that 'the cat' is not wholly alone. There are There is controversy in Wisconsin and in Door County about how to proceed. The following information and websites offer some real hope for help. And
human contact. They may be the offspring of stray or abandoned pets.
They live in colonies (groups) where food and shelter are available. Their
lives are harsh. Feral cats are not homeless.
have had former human contact. These are cats one sees starving as they
are without the skills for survival.
feral, and they may not be. If they actually live in a barn, they are not home-
less and have a sustainable supply of food and water along with good shelter.
mated to life on the streets. Those who cannot adapt are homeless and seen
starving and often injured. Those who have adapted and survive can be mis-
taken for feral cats, as their behaviors have adjusted to run from humans,
avoid touch, and to protect themselves. Both stray and feral cats seek food,
shelter, and often live in social groups defined by levels of dominance.
of those involved in Trap/Neuter/Release programs. Cats that arrive at the
shelter that are unable to be rehabilitated into in-home pets are blood tested,
vaccinated and altered and released to pre-approved, responsible property
owners in our barn cat program.
click the image above to visit their website.
returns over 13,000 listings not one of which
is a Trap, Neuter, Return program
watch to see if he eats it. You see him again, and the next time you put out
some food. Maybe the weather turns, and you worry about 'the cat' You put
out a box for shelter.
You want to help. Maybe you put out a box and a blanket or with some
straw and food.
others equally in need of sustainable food and shelter. Maybe you begin to ask
around. You learn words like feral and stray. What to do?
As noted at the top of this section, there is no Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR)
program in Door County. Why not? One wonders.
throughout The Cat Door, other resources for information are provided.
Cats Anonymous, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose sole purpose
is to better the lives and reduce the number of stray and feral cats in Northeastern
Wisconsin. To accomplish this goal, we promote, educate and advocate the non-
lethal reduction of the feral cat population utilizing the Trap-Neuter-Return
(TNR) method in a safe and humane manner.
The Animal Friendly Wisconsin web site is a compilation of animal welfare
information and resources available to residents of Wisconsin.
Spay Wisconsin is a network and referral service for affordable spay/neuter
services in Wisconsin. The network consists of veterinarians and clinics
willing to perform high quality, low-cost spay/neuter surgeries for Spay
Wisconsin clients. There is a toll free number and an e-mail addy for
requesting a referral.
Fox Valley Humane Association ~ Appleton
Fox Valley Humane Association is in Appleton. It has a lot of info
on a busy site. Search block is on the upper right,
