1. Feral Cats: The Solution Feral Cats: The Solution Daisy Alvarado Mrs. Ayik WRI 10

2. At a glance… The problem The problem What is a feral cat? What is a feral cat? How are feral cats affecting Merced. How are feral cats affecting Merced. Why should we care Why should we care We need to take action We need to take action What should we do (proposal) What should we do (proposal) What is TNR? Why TNR?

3. The problem Cause A: There are many feral cats wandering around Merced County and good Samaritans want to spay and neuter them. Cause B: Spaying and Neutering cats can be expensive and residents aren’t allowed to use low cost spay and neuter services(vouchers) for feral cats. Cause C: The financial burden of helping cats discourages residents from taking action which is allowing cats to continue reproducing. Effect D: Due to their increasing population feral cats are being put to sleep.

4. So what is a Feral Cat anyway?

5. Feral cats are… Feral cats are the offspring of lost or abandoned pet cats or other feral cats who are not spayed or neutered. Feral cats are not accustomed to contact with people and are typically too fearful and wild to be handled. Feral cats do not easily adapt or may never adapt to living as pets in close contact with people.

6. How are Feral Cats Affecting Merced They are everywhere!!

7. It’s just a few cats what’s the big deal? Feral cats have an average of 1.4 litters per year, with an average 3.5 live births in each litter. That equals 4.9 kittens per year, per female feral cat. Indeed, a pair of breeding cats and their offspring can produce 420,000 kittens over a seven-year period. Feral cats have an average of 1.4 litters per year, with an average 3.5 live births in each litter. That equals 4.9 kittens per year, per female feral cat. Indeed, a pair of breeding cats and their offspring can produce 420,000 kittens over a seven-year period. Of the approximately 146 million cats in the United States, about half are feral/unowned. Of the approximately 146 million cats in the United States, about half are feral/unowned. In California, more than $50 million per year (coming largely from taxes) is spent by animal control agencies and shelters for cat-related expenses. In California, more than $50 million per year (coming largely from taxes) is spent by animal control agencies and shelters for cat-related expenses.

8. We need to do SOMETHING!! The main concern with feral cats is their rapidly growing population. The main concern with feral cats is their rapidly growing population.

9. My proposal Merced Animal Control should host a semi - annual event that invites residents to spay and neuter feral cats at a low cost which will encourage residents to help feral cats and in turn boost Trap-neuter-release (TNR) efforts. Merced Animal Control should host a semi - annual event that invites residents to spay and neuter feral cats at a low cost which will encourage residents to help feral cats and in turn boost Trap-neuter-release (TNR) efforts.

10. What is TNR? Trap-Neuter-Return, commonly referred to as "TNR," is a humane and effective method of controlling feral cat population growth. Using this technique, all the feral cats in a colony are trapped, neutered and then returned to their territory

11. Why TNR? It’s humane and has been proven effective in reducing feral populations. It’s more cost effective than trapping and killing cats. Trapping and altering a cat costs about $50 while euthanizing costs more than $100. It’s more cost effective than trapping and killing cats. Trapping and altering a cat costs about $50 while euthanizing costs more than $100.

12. Thank You