Feral Dogs and Cats

Domestication of dogs and cats began thousands of years ago. Over time, these animals grew to rely on humans for their basic needs: food, water, shelter and care. Dogs provided protection and assistance to humans in hunting; Cats kept food storage and living areas free of rodents.

Today, dogs and cats play different roles from their earlier association with humans. Some still work for humans. Dogs guide the blind, assist police officers, run races and pull sleds. Cats still provide rodent control. However, most dogs and cats are kept as companion animals.

What happens to dogs and cats that no longer have humans to look after them? These animals usually don’t possess the skills to survive like their wild ancestors. They are ill equipped to live in the streets of a city where there are dangers around every corner. In the country among the naturally wild animals, a domestic animal has little chance for survival.

Dogs, because they are social animals, will usually find other stray dogs and form a group or pack. These dogs quickly forget their human families in the effort to survive. Rural areas are sometimes plagued by groups of feral dogs killing livestock and frightening people. These animals live in abandoned buildings, old cars, in the sewer systems - anywhere they can get shelter from the elements. Most live off garbage.

Most are just barely surviving. The average life span of a feral cat is about two years. Some of the dangers facing feral cats include traffic, other animals, heat or cold, disease, poisoning and humans who have grown impatient with the activities of these animals.

Unfortunately, thousands of dogs and cats suffer and die each year because they are left to fend for themselves.

What is the solution to this problem?

First, it is against the law to abandon an animal. If you see someone doing this, report that person immediately.

Second, if you see an animal, which appears to be homeless, bring it to the Shelter.

Finally, people who own pets should obey the animal control and protection laws, have their pets spayed or neutered and fulfill their obligation to care for and protect their pets.

These animals can't live without us.