Feral Cats

We often receive enquiries relating to feral cat populations. This is a significant issue on farms and in rural communities within the Scottish Borders. We assist local communities to monitor and control feral cat populations throughout the Scottish Borders with our Trap, Neuter, and Release (TNR) programme. We can provide traps to catch feral populations which are then neutered and checked over thoroughly by our nominated veterinary practice, the animals are then re-released back to their locations. The aim of the programme is to reduce the burden feral cat populations can have on a community and to ensure the welfare of those animals. In some cases, feral kittens (generally under 10 weeks) can be domesticated and rehomed through the rescue centre.

Borders Pet Rescue are licenced through NatureScot (licence ref: 266504) to undertake a TNR programme.  For more information on feral cats and colonies, Cats Protection offer a comprehensive guide; What Are Feral Cats – Help and Advice | Cats Protection

 How can you tell the difference between a stray cat and a feral cat? 

Stray cat

Stray cats are socialised domestic cats who don’t – or don’t appear – to have an owner. Be wary; even if they ‘stray’ they might be a neighbourhood cat who’s worked out that if they look hungry they can bag themselves a second meal!

• more friendly – if they’re a little shy they will often approach cautiously given time and encouragement
• on their own
• appear near houses – most likely to be found in people’s gardens and trying to get into their home
• microchipped – if they are a missing pet, they may have a microchip

Feral cat

Feral cats are the same species of cat as pet cats, but are not socialised to humans or the domestic environment. This means they behave like wild animals.

• not friendly – unsocialised to humans, feral cats find people threatening and can be hard to spot. They won’t come close, even with encouragement
• living alone or with others – sometimes, they might live in a colony with other feral cats
• away from houses – they’ll avoid human contact and often have a hiding spot away from populated areas
• not microchipped – most feral cats don’t have a microchip
• permanent – they are more likely to have set up a permanent home or shelter

We have a limited annual budget for the TNR programme, and with few spare resources we rely heavily on members of the public who report the colonies to us, volunteering their assistance in catching and releasing the feral cats. If you would like to donate/ sponsor our feral TNR programme please read through our donation advice.