Feeding stray cats?

Question

There's two stray cats wondering around the front porch past midnight, partially because, I think, I fed them something the other night.

Question is, would there be problems feeding the stray cats such as causing other unwanted strays to gather, etc, which I would like to avoid, though I do feel bad for them.......

Is there better alternatives?

The cats seems passive, didn't move much when I went to throw out the garbage.

Answer 1

Since they didn't scurry away when you went to throw out the garbage, this suggests that they aren't feral but merely stray domestic cats. They may actually belong to somebody, so there is a quandary...if you feed them they may never go home, but if you don't they'll be hungry and keep wandering. This sometimes happens after it rains and the cats lose their sense of direction.

What I suggest is feeding them and perhaps trying to trap them with humane traps. If they take to being close to people, then maybe they have an owner searching for them and you can put out signs. If you don't want to go through the trouble, then have the animal shelter pick them up. But, realize that shelters only keep animals for a short period of time before they are destroyed, so that's on your conscience.
If you'd rather catch, fix and release this is a good idea. There's many programs in my area that do this service for free. The idea is to catch the kitties, fix and vaccinate them, then release them back where you've found them. At least they wont make more kittens and they get to live their life.
Good luck to you, it's not an easy choice.

Answer 2

Put the food in the same place at the same time every day. It does not matter what time of day, really, as long as you are consistent. Most people who feed and rescue strays do so at night, and yes, some of the food may be taken by other animals. But once the cats learn when the food is coming, they will be nearby waiting for you to show up. Establish a call or a sound that you make when you are bringing out the food. I fed a momma cat one time, and I would make that clicking sound you make to say "shame shame", because cats respond to it. I would make a couple of those clicks, then call "Lilli" which was the name I gave her. She would run from two yards over as soon as she heard the sound. Be consistent and establish a call, and if you want, call their names: Bill! Tony! That way, they will learn their names as well, and come running when they hear them. Figure out how much they eat, and put just that out, with a little extra, so they come back to the food bowl after they have rested. There will be no leftovers. You needn't feed them twice a day. Just once. When you have them indoors, you can get them on this regimen, but outside, there is no need. One person I saw but never knew in a town I lived in once, got one of those igloos for the cats to be in, the many strays she fed. I don't know what your apartment building is like or what the rules are there, but you might want to adapt her idea and provide a shelter for them to huddle in on chilly nights. A wastebasket wrapped with insulation and set on its side, with some rags or old towels inside for a bed is a possibility. It will smell of humans though, so rub it with catnip to entice them. They will come around surprisingly fast. Wait until they come to you, which they will do. Good luck. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Well if they do end up calling your front porch home for an extended period, you could end up with a flea problem in your home. If you have a pet, then that flea problem could be a real nusiance. Other than that the strays are pretty harmless. If they are young you can try to trap them and find homes for them. If they're older they will not adapt well to indoor life and should be left as feral cats, however if that is the case you really should get the humane society to help trap them, spay or neuter them, then release them so they don't reproduce like mad.

Answer 4

If their passive then they are probably strays or been let out while the owners are at work. and have found a place to get a free meal.
Yes the more that find your place the more you'll have to feed.
I know the feeling but the best thing to do if you have no other pets is to try and get them inside the house and call animal control in your area.Yes I Know they might just put them to sleep.but if they know if anybody that has reported a missing cat then they might be able to get them back together.
Its better than letting them run wild and get hit and mangled or killed by a vehicle.

Answer 5

I feed mine, and I got the all fixed. They do know where to find a good meal and if you feed them they will stick around. You could end up with a lot more too. Though I haven't had that problem, but I do have a family of raccoons that come by for food too, three of them are albino.

Answer 6

If you want the cats around keep feeding them. It will make you feel better about them being stray cats, and actually aftera while they will not be strayed anymore. Good thikng about cats is that tey always know where home is but will not bother you.

Answer 7

There is the problem of the cats hanging around. They will expect free, easy meals. Other animals and insects will also congregate around the feeding area. You could ask friends and family to take them home, or call the local animal humane society to pick them up.

Answer 8

Call your stray animal authority and get them to pick them up and take to a shelter.
The more you feed, the more will come. If they arent neutered you may have kittens as well.

If you dont want to call the authorities, hire a cat trap, trap them and take them to one of your shelters that will guarantee that they will try to find homes ...... if they pass the temprement and health tests.

Answer 9

My neighbor felt bad for a few stray cats. He fed them & more came. At his time of death-his sister came to take care of funeral...etc....he had over 100 cats coming to his door each evening to eat. I hope this answered your question.
Call your local pound for help.

Answer 10

Feed them,the poor things,and if you can catch them,get them spayed/neutered to prevent anymore being born.Also provide shelter for them-a doghouse with straw.