| A LARGE portion of the so-called "feral" population are abandoned
and/or abused former pets. People dump animals along roads, in woods,
in front of MY HOUSE!! I don't know what in blazes these idiots think
these animals are supposed to do to survive!! They can't go down the
road to McDonalds or Burger King when they get hungry!! So they either
become 'feral', living on whatever they can find or catch, or they die
mizerably or painfully from disease, starvation or vehicles.
According to the Humane Society's studies, the avarage lifespan of an
abandoned pet is less than 6 months. Many do live a lot longer if they
are able to adapt, but the average cat abandoned does not have much
chance.... Our 2 "feral rescues" are the exception to the rule. Not a
large percentage of these poor creatures find homes with people. Ours
were also lucky because we got them before they got to the point where
they became terrified of humans, so they re-adapted back to society
very quickly..
JM
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| they turn feral if necessary...they just don't live long. The feral cat
is subject to disease and parasites. If in an urban environment, they are
victims of cars, abusive humans, dangerous dogs...if in a rural environment,
they are victims of abusive humans, dangerous dogs, cars, farm equipment,
predators like owls, fox, coyotes, hawks, and any other larger predator.
If females, they are subject to pregnancy related illness and deaths.
In short, the life-span of a well cared for pet cat is up in the teens and
sometimes they live as long as into their 20's....a feral cat that lives
six years is extremely lucky, and on his/her last legs...they usually don't
see their second birthday.
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