PET CARE
Feral Cats In Your Neighborhood
Feral cats can be very common. If you see feral cats in your neighborhood or near your home, here’s what you may be able to do (and not do) to make sure the cats, your own pets, and any nearby humans all stay safe and disease-free.
What Is A Feral Cat?
A feral cat is a domestic cat that does not have an owner and lives outside; typically, feral cats don’t want anything to do with humans. Feral cats are distinct from stray cats — whereas stray cats once had an owner but became lost at some point, feral cats were born and grew up in the wild. Stray cats might give birth to a new generation of feral cats.
Do Not Feed Feral Cats
PETA does not recommend feeding feral cats, as this often exacerbates the problem — feeding ferals can keep them healthy, meaning they keep giving birth to kittens and the cycle of disease and suffering continues. Instead, the goal should be to get feral cats off the street.
How You Can Help
If there aren’t feral cats in your neighborhood or you are not able to help, there are other ways you can help feral cats around the country. Consider donating financially to an organization that spays and neuters feral cats, or help raise awareness about the best methods to care for feral cats.
And finally, keeping up with your cat's well-being regularly will help keep your furry friend safe. Spaying and neutering your own pet cats is essential so you don’t contribute to the problem. Also keeping up with your furry friends' vaccinations and vet visits will allow you to be sure your pet is healthy year-round.
You can also make sure your pet is covered with MetLife Pet Insurance1.
Nothing in this article should be construed as financial, legal or veterinary advice. Please consult your own advisors for questions relating to your and your pet’s specific circumstances.
Need Cat Insurance?
1 Pet Insurance offered by MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC is underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company (“IAIC”), a Delaware insurance company, headquartered at 485 Madison Avenue, NY, NY 10022, and Metropolitan General Insurance Company (“MetGen”), a Rhode Island insurance company, headquartered at 700 Quaker Lane, Warwick, RI 02886, in those states where MetGen’s policies are available. MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC is the policy administrator authorized by IAIC and MetGen to offer and administer pet insurance policies. MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC was previously known as PetFirst Healthcare, LLC and in some states continues to operate under that name pending approval of its application for a name change. The entity may operate under an alternate, assumed, and/or fictitious name in certain jurisdictions as approved, including MetLife Pet Insurance Services LLC (New York and Minnesota), MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions Agency LLC (Illinois), and such other alternate, assumed, or fictitious names approved by certain jurisdictions.
2 Provided all terms of the policy are met. Application is subject to underwriting review and approval. Like most insurance policies, insurance policies issued by IAIC and MetGen contain certain deductibles, co-insurance, exclusions, exceptions, reductions, limitations, and terms for keeping them in force. For costs, complete details of coverage and exclusions, and a listing of approved states, please contact MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC.