Where do feral kittens such as these adorable fuzzballs come from? Scientists now say that domestic cats are all descended from a type of wild cat found in the Middle East, which means every cat in the United States is descended from cats brought to this country by humans. Yet many people don't take the responsibility to see that their pets don't have unwanted kittens. And some even abandon those cats if they do become pregnant, or they abandon the kittens, assuming that because they are predators, they will survive. Most don't. And many people don't know - or sadly, don't care - that it is actually illegal to abandon a pet. Submitted photo

Contributed by Christine Watt, Co-founder of United Paws of Tillamook

TILLAMOOK – To honor those ubiquitous, free-roaming cats commonly referred to as “feral,” “wild” or “barn” cats, United Paws of Tillamook County would like to remind everyone that National Feral Day is Oct. 16. Nobody knows how many of these free spirits live among us. Based on models by the American Veterinary Medical Association, Alley Cat Allies and others, there could be anywhere between 4,000 and 8,000 in Tillamook County alone. United Paws believes there are probably more though, because no other group has targeted free-roaming cats for spaying and neutering until 6 years ago, when United Paws’ volunteers started the universally-acclaimed program of TNR – humanely Trapping the cats, taking them to the vet to be Neutered or spayed, then Returning them to the only place they’ve ever called home.

The life of a free-roaming cat is harsh, unless humans intervene. It’s a myth that cats can fend for themselves. Female cats can become pregnant at 4 months of age, then their lives become one debilitating pregnancy after another. They must constantly search for food, turning more gaunt and skittish with each pregnancy. United Paws has often taken a female feral to a veterinarian for spaying to be told, “Her next litter would have been her last,” because her insides are simply worn out.

While more than 50 percent of pet cats nationally are spayed or neutered, only 3 percent of free-roaming cats are. As a result, 80 percent of kittens born every year are born to free-roaming cats. The vast majority of kittens born in the wild will not survive their first year, dying of malnutrition and disease or falling prey to predators. It is therefore imperative that all free-roaming cats (as well as pet cats and dogs) be spayed and neutered to prevent animal suffering.

Within a week of spaying a free-roaming female cat, the difference in her demeanor and appearance is striking. She loses that haunted, hunted look as her fur turns to satin. About a week after neutering, tomcats’ testosterone levels drop, so they fight and spray less (and their spray loses that obnoxious odor). Peace reigns at last, and we can all get a good night’s sleep, instead of being disturbed by yowling and caterwauling.

Since there are approximately 25,000 human beings in Tillamook County and, for sake of argument, let’s assume there are 8,000 free-roaming cats, if every resident in three humanely trapped, took to the veterinarian, and spayed or neutered just one free-roaming cat, we should have gone a long way to alleviating the suffering of these creatures, who are among us through no fault of their own. As long as United Paws has the funds, the group is committed to helping any compassionate resident of Tillamook County who wishes to care for free-roaming cats. Just call the hotline at (503) 842-5663 and leave a message.

When United Paws comes across free-roaming kittens young enough to be socialized (younger than 12 weeks), if at all possible, we take them out of the wild and foster them. This means lots of TLC to get them to trust humans. Then we put them up for adoption into loving forever homes, ensuring all are spayed and neutered. United Paws is desperate for more foster homes, so please get in touch if you could undertake such a rewarding experience. You’ll be giving an animal in need a “second chance.”

In honor of National Feral Day, United Paws’ next adoptathon is Saturday, Oct. 17, noon to 3 p.m., at the 4-H Dorm, Tillamook County Fairgrounds, 4603 Third St. Once again, Tillamook Animal Shelter dogs will be joining us. To preview cats and kittens for adoption, visit www.unitedpaws.org. We have many, many kittens, all longing for their own special lap to purr in, plus cool dogs in need of loving homes for life. To see dogs for adoption, go to www.tillamookanimalshelter.org or call (503) 812-0105.

A United Paws volunteer spotted these mites and set about trapping them. They were so tiny, they didn’t trip the trap. However, because they were starving, they spent enough time trying to devour the towel where he’d placed the food bait, that he was able to just close the trap on them. Now safely in foster care, they will eventually be put up for adoption.