The Legality of Feeding Stray Cats
Laws regarding feeding stray cats vary by location. In some areas, it is completely illegal to feed strays. Other areas have restrictions, like not allowing feedings that create a nuisance. Understanding local ordinances is important to avoid potential fines or legal issues.
Many municipalities prohibit feeding strays because it can encourage cats to congregate, potentially leading to noise complaints or unhealthy living conditions. For example, Miami-Dade County Code bans feeding strays outside of officially designated caretakers. Violators face fines up to $500 (source).
In contrast, cities like Philadelphia and Chicago allow feeding strays with some regulations. Feeders must keep the area clean and cannot create a nuisance. Stray cats still need to be sterilized and vaccinated in these areas (source).
It’s important to check local ordinances before feeding strays. While some areas prohibit it, others allow feeding with proper management to avoid problems.
Pros of Feeding Strays
One of the main pros of feeding stray cats is that it provides food and care for animals in need. Stray and feral cats often struggle to find food and water, especially in urban environments where prey is scarce. By offering regular feedings, caregivers can improve the health and wellbeing of these community cats (Source). Feeding strays allows the cats to remain in their territory, reducing the need for them to venture into new areas in search of food. This territorial stability also helps control the population through TNR (trap-neuter-return) efforts.
Another potential benefit of community cats is rodent control. Well-fed cats are often successful at keeping mice and rat populations in check, which can be a major issue in some urban areas (Source). Allowing cats to remain in an area, supplemented with regular feedings, provides natural rodent control and reduces the need for poison or other risky extermination methods.
Overall, providing food and care for stray cats allows them to remain in place rather than venture into new territories. This benefits the cats’ health and stability while also helping with pest control. However, feeding strays does require following good practices to avoid potential downsides for the community.
Cons of Feeding Strays
While well-intended, feeding stray cats can lead to several issues in a neighborhood. Some of the main cons to consider are:
Neighbor complaints – Stray cats that are fed will often gather in larger groups and can cause noise disturbances, especially at night when they are most active. Their presence also leads to an accumulation of cat feces, urine spraying, and foul odors that neighbors may find bothersome (Source).
Attracting wildlife – Food left out for strays will attract other animals like opossums, raccoons, coyotes, and rodents. These animals get accustomed to an easy food source and may become nuisances or dangers in the neighborhood (Source).
Public health risks – Stray cats that congregate can spread diseases to each other, such as feline leukemia and FIV. Parasites like fleas and ticks are also easily passed between cats. Diseases and parasites can then be spread to owned pets and even humans in some cases (Source).
Best Practices for Feeding
When providing food for stray cats, it’s important to follow some best practices to keep the cats healthy and the area clean.
In terms of food, it’s recommended to provide high-protein, high-quality wet and dry cat food. Canned/pouched wet food provides hydration, and dry kibble helps clean teeth. Avoid cheap brands with fillers, and don’t give cats human food, milk, or tuna. Portion control is also key – around 5.5 ounces of wet food and 2 ounces of dry daily per adult cat (Source).
The feeding area should be kept tidy to avoid attracting other animals. Use disposable plates and bowls that can be thrown out, or reusable dishes that are washed regularly. Remove any uneaten wet food so it doesn’t spoil. Also provide fresh water daily.
Establishing a routine feeding time prevents cats from constantly hanging around looking for food. Feed at the same time each day – many recommend mornings and evenings. The food can be set out for an hour or so before removing any leftovers.
Other Ways to Help Strays
Besides feeding, there are other humane ways you can assist stray cats in your neighborhood:
Providing Shelter Options: Setting up insulated shelters or modified storage bins can give strays a warm, dry place to rest, especially during harsh weather conditions. Position shelters in quiet areas away from dangers. Ensure the shelters are regularly cleaned and disinfected (Source).
Trap-Neuter-Return Programs: Working with local TNR groups, you can humanely trap strays, get them spayed/neutered and vaccinated, then return them to their outdoor home. This controls breeding and spread of disease. TNR improves strays’ health and reduces annoying behaviors (Source).
Adopting Socialized Cats: Friendly adult strays and kittens old enough to be separated from mom can potentially be adopted into loving homes. Fostering strays helps socialize them to become adoptable. Partner with rescues to find permanent homes (Source).
Risks to Cats and Wildlife
Free-roaming and feral cats pose several risks to both cats themselves and local wildlife populations. One major concern is the spread of diseases. Cats can carry diseases like feline leukemia virus, rabies, and toxoplasmosis that can spread to wildlife and owned pets (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/reports/Wildlife%20Damage%20Management%20Technical%20Series/free-ranging-and-feral-cats.pdf)
Feral cats also increase competition for resources like food and shelter between native species. A study published in Nature Communications found that free-ranging cats are likely the single greatest source of anthropogenic mortality for US birds and mammals, killing 1.3–4.0 billion birds and 6.3–22.3 billion mammals annually (https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms2380)
The predation and competition from feral cats can disrupt local ecosystems, especially on islands. Researchers have linked feral cat predation to at least 63 global extirpations and extinctions of reptiles, birds, and mammals (https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pan3.10073)
Creating Relationships with Strays
Building trust with stray or feral cats takes patience and time. Earning a stray cat’s trust starts with consistent, positive interactions. Let the cat get used to your presence by sitting quietly near where the cat eats and allowing the cat to observe you from a distance. Avoid prolonged eye contact, which can seem threatening. Offer treats like cooked chicken or canned food and watch for signs of acceptance like ear movements or tail swishes (Alley Cat Allies).
As the cat becomes more comfortable, you can gradually move closer. Allow the cat to initiate contact and approach you first. Offer treats from your hand and allow the cat to eat near you. Sitting on the ground can seem less intimidating. Avoid overstimulation or sudden movements. Try blinking slowly at the cat as a calming signal. Let the cat sniff you before attempting to pet gently under the chin or cheek. Allow the cat to leave the interaction at any time.
Signs a stray cat is becoming socialized include seeking out your company, allowing petting and handling, purring, rubbing against you, and displaying a relaxed posture like laying down near you. However, the cat may remain skittish around other humans. Socialization takes regular, controlled interactions over weeks and months for feral cats (American Pets Alive). An adult feral likely won’t reach the comfort level of a socialized pet. But progress in small steps will help earn an alley cat’s trust.
When to Call Animal Control
There are certain situations when it is appropriate to contact animal control about stray cats in your yard or neighborhood. Animal control should be called if the cats appear injured, sick, or in distress. Signs to look for include:
- Open wounds, abscesses, or other injuries
- Severely matted fur or poor body condition
- Discharge from eyes/nose, limping, or other signs of illness
- Meowing or crying in pain
You should also call animal control if you witness signs of cruelty, neglect, or abandonment. This includes cats that are:
- Too young to survive on their own
- Chained or caged outside without proper shelter
- Deprived of food/water for extended periods
Additionally, contact animal control if the cats exhibit aggressive behavior such as lunging, swatting, or biting unprovoked. Feral cats in particular may act defensive when approached.
Calling animal control allows professionals to humanely trap the cats for assessment and care. They may provide medical treatment, vaccinations, and spay/neuter services to adoptable cats. Irremediably suffering cats may be euthanized. Leaving sick or dangerous cats on the streets can worsen their suffering and threaten public health and safety.
Source: https://www.barxbuddy.com/blog/when-to-call-animal-control/
Alternatives to Feeding
While the instinct to provide food for stray and feral cats is an admirable one, feeding strays is not always the best option according to experts (https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/how-individuals-can-help-community-cats). There are some alternatives to consider that can more effectively help stray cat populations in a sustainable way.
The most impactful alternative is supporting Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs in your area (https://www.alleycat.org/resources/how-to-help-community-cats-a-step-by-step-guide-to-trap-neuter-return/). TNR humanely traps stray and feral cats, has them neutered and vaccinated by veterinarians, and then returns them to their outdoor home. This stops reproduction and provides vaccines to prevent disease spread.
You can also volunteer your time at local no-kill shelters and rescue organizations. Shelter volunteers help socialize and care for homeless cats until they can be adopted. Fostering kittens or friendly adult cats is another way to free up valuable space at local shelters.
While you may have formed a bond with strays you feed, supporting larger-scale solutions through TNR, volunteering, and fostering can create a bigger impact for stray cat populations as a whole. These alternatives help minimize reproduction and suffering while maximizing adoptions.
Key Takeaways
Feeding stray cats in your yard can be a kind way to help animals in need, but also carries risks. The main pros are providing food to cats who may struggle to find it otherwise and potentially being able to capture stray kittens young enough to socialize and adopt out. However, feeding strays can also encourage cats to congregate, fight, spread diseases, and harm local wildlife. There are no definitive laws, but many places prohibit feeding wildlife.
If you do choose to feed strays, do it on a consistent schedule in clean bowls, provide shelter, spay/neuter any you can, and watch for signs of illness. Never feed strays meat or milk. It’s ideal to trap, spay/neuter, and return healthy adult strays. Kittens under 8 weeks old can often be socialized and adopted. Alert animal control if sick or aggressive cats appear.
Ultimately, the most ethical choice is to volunteer or donate to trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs instead of independently feeding strays. TNR humanely reduces feral cat populations. You can also keep your own cats indoors and talk to neighbors about spaying and neutering pets. With planning and cooperation, communities can lower stray populations without harm.
