These cats produce around 80% of the kittens born in the U.S. Since a female cat can become pregnant as early as five months of age and have multiple litters each year, the number of cats in a neighborhood can rapidly increase if cats aren't spayed or neutered. Left to their own proclivities, these cats reproduce. Some cats have lived outside for generations, while others adapted to living outdoors after being lost or abandoned. Overpopulation is a serious concern with an estimated 30 to 40 million community cats in the United States. While community cats are often referred to as “feral”-which means having escaped from domestication and returned to a wild state- the majority rely on humans for support.īack to top Why are there so many cats outdoors? They look out for the cats and often participate in TNR efforts to get the cats fixed and vaccinated and work with other residents to mitigate any complaints that arise due to the presence of the outdoor cats. In addition to providing daily meals and fresh water, these cat caregivers may provide dedicated shelter to protect the cats in inclement weather and provide medical care if the cats become sick or are injured. Community cats may live alone or in pairs or congregate in groups. Rarely do you find cats living in remote areas in the U.S., surviving without the help of humans.īack to top Who takes care of community cats?Īn estimated 10-12% of the American public feed community cats. Many of these cats, especially the social ones, are considered to be “at home” by residents in the area they live. They can thrive in densely populated areas, where there is easy access to food and shelter, as well are rural settings, where they are often called barn cats. Their behavior can range from fearful and wary of people to friendly and open to human interaction. Older terms for these cats include feral cats and alley cats, but as those cats may not be feral or live in alleys, the animal welfare field has shifted to using the broader term "community cats."īack to top Where do community cats live?Ĭommunity cats are predominantly found near where people live or work. Community cat is the term we use for domestic cats who live outdoors and have no indication of having an owner.
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