Feral Cats

TARRS is relatively new to dealing with feral cats and we will help wherever possible to trap, neuter and release them or find a safe place for them to live. Below is some information you may find useful in recognising feral cats and the need to help them.

Feral cats are the same are domestic cats, except that they have not had socialisation with humans, making them less friendly and less able to live in harmony in a family home. Feral cats tend to be scared and nervous of our presence. Stray cats are not feral - they have either been lost or abandoned and have nowhere to live but are used to love and human contact.

The life of a feral cat begins when a female (domestic or feral) from 6 months of age is not neutered and mates with a tom cat (un-neutered male cat). If she is not kept an eye on or has no home to go to, she will give birth to her litter where she feels safe, whether that may be a garden shed, derelict car, old buildings or under a bush.

If the kittens are not found, the first you will probably see of them is when they are around 6 weeks old and their mum brings them out looking for solid food. If they are discovered around this age, they are more likely to become domesticated and friendly. However, if they are not handled and socialised with people, they will soon become wild or 'feral'. 

The younger the kittens are, the easier it will be to tame them. Taming takes time, patience and gentle handling but is extremely rewarding also. Mum cat may also be socialised again if she uses to be a loved family pet. Female cats, if they have been feral all their lives, will probably not be tamed and so will need to be neutered to avoid more unwanted litters.

When feral cats are returned to their previous site or are found new homes, the top of the ear is clipped. This is called ‘ear-tipping’ and is done under general anaesthetic when the cat is neutered. All rescues who deal with feral cats see this ‘ear-tipping’ as a universal sign that the feral cats has been neutered.

TARRS is looking for new homes for feral colonies that have been removed from sites that have either become too dangerous or are no longer welcoming them. We are looking for stables, barns, outbuildings, small holdings or even gardens. If you can offer a feral colony a new place to live, please e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone Sophie on 0773 444 2785. 

Once these cats have been put in their new safe sites, it is essential that they will need to be confined for 3-4 weeks so that they get use to their new surroundings. If this is not done, they will run off. The cats will need to be fed the same as domestic cats - tinned and dry food with fresh water available at all times. They will earn their keep by catching unwanted rodents! Euthanasia is not an option here at TARRS for feral cats that come into our care unless it is absolutely necessary due to illness or on veterinary advice. 

We are also looking for Volunteer Animal Welfare Officers to check on the feral cat sites, make sure they stay healthy, get involved with trap, neuter and release projects, organise food collections and  carry out other duties to help TARRS animals in need.  If you would like to become a Volunteer Animal Welfare Officer, please e-mail your details along with the area you live and the time you are able to offer to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please title it Volunteer AWO. Currently we only have feral sites in Warwickshire, so living here would be advantageous. 

Thank you.