Tips for Caregivers
ARE YOU CARING FOR FREE-ROAMING CATS?
Help free-roaming cats be good neighbors:
- Your cat should be licensed and vaccinated for rabies. We also encourage microchipping. Call Orange County Animal Services for information about these and other services (including spay/neuter resources): 919-942-7387
- Keep the feeding station neat and tidy. Remove all trash and leftover food promptly. Please do not feed free-roaming cats unless they are spayed or neutered.
- Feed the cats at a regular place and time during daylight hours and only feed enough to last one feeding. This practice will not only help the cats get on a schedule, it will eliminate attracting other wildlife.
- Establish a litter box. Creating a sandy area that you clean regularly will help keep the cats from eliminating in areas where you don’t want them to eliminate. Make sure children keep out of this box!
- Plant a bed of catnip in an area where you don’t mind the cats hanging out. They’ll be drawn to the catnip instead of the flowerbeds.
- Provide a shelter so the cats are not nesting in places where they are not wanted. There are many options available; search online for feral cat shelters.
- Know your local laws and ordinances. Protect yourself and the cats by knowing your legal rights.
- File a found report with your local shelter or rescue! Here is the Lost/Found page with Orange County Animal Services: http://www.orangecountync.gov/295/Lost-Found
- Educate your neighbors and keep an ongoing dialog with them. If they are employing humane deterrents to keep your cats off of their property, make sure the deterrents are working for them or help find other solutions.
*Thanks to The Humane Society of the United States and Best Friends Animal Society for providing some of the information on this page.