Forest Feral Cats - Information

Forest feral cats come from a long line of abandoned domesticated cats.  In the late 1970’s two Norwegian Forest cats were left behind when their master moved away. 

I was told that the residents of the neighborhood tried to capture these cats but they were so frightened that they ran into the woods: 50 acres of densely wooded terrain with creek, lake and rock ridges.  The cats were presumed dead however occasionally people would remark that they viewed a cat in the forest.

Over the years the woods became a dumping ground for domesticated cats.  People were abandoning cats on a regular basis.  Some of the abandoned cats were adopted, but many of them starved to death because they did not know how to forage, others died in the extreme weather: cold and heat, some died of diseases, many cats became part of the food chain and were killed by predators and some of the abandoned domesticated cats were killed by humans. 

Cat carcasses were found with arrows penetrating their abdomen or neck region.  Even though there were many cat fatalities a few of the domesticated abandoned cats found their way in the woods and over the years the Norwegian forest cats bred with these cats, and a small colony of cats survived.  

These forest feral cats sleep in the daylight hours and come out at dusk to forage, mate and socialize.  Feral cats are terrified of humans and avoid contact with them.  The only time one will view a forest cat is when they enter someone’s yard in the early morning hours or at dusk.  These cats are seeking, food or water.  

I am colony caregiver for 12 feral and stray cats.  I care for the forest cats as well as stray and abandoned cat in my community with the help of my husband and two neighbors that volunteer their service. 

We trap all cats for sterilization, tests for disease, vaccines, wormer and a dosage of revolution for fleas, ticks and ear mites.  We always try to socialize the cats.  If we can get them at a young age a year or under then taming usually can be achieved, otherwise we release the cats to a controlled colony.  Where we will feed, provide shelter and care for the cats for the rest of their lives.  

Sgolis Notes:
Many people will live their entire life in the city and will never view a feral forest cat.  These wild cats have a strong nature of the pack much like the wild cats in Africa. 

Each cat participates in the pack; some will hunt and bring back their prey to a sick or nursing queen cat. The male cat will watch over the kittens while the queen cat takes a break.   Other cats will lie on the high rocks watching the area for trespassers. 

In the winter the wild cats will take shelter in hallow trees or thicket dens and they will all sleep together and thus providing ample body heat.

All of the photographs that you view on this post and on the entire cat adoption and rescue blog are original photographs by Susan Golis

Photographs of Feral Forest Cats
  

A queen feral cat will have 4-6 kittens and out of that only 2-3 will survive to 12 weeks.  Out of a litter of 4-6 kittens two kittens may make it to three months.  The survival of forest kittens is maybe 1 kitten out of a litter of 6.  The population of feral cats is controlled by nature.

I have tracked these cats, by following their paw prints in the snow, and I have viewed their dens through the lens of my camera.  I do not trespass on their territory as these cats will feel threatened by my presence and the queen cat will then move all of the cats to a safer area.  So I respect these cats and watch them from a distance.

Norwegian Forest Cat Waits for Master's Return

Many cats are abandoned by their masters; left behind when they move or put out the house and forgotten. Some cats are rescued and adopted into other homes and other cats wait for their masters to return.

Bob is a cat that was left at the side of the road several years ago, he is waiting for his master to return .

In March of 2008 a car pulled up in front of my home and out the passenger side came a Norwegian Forest cat, the cat tried to get back into the car but the door was closed and the driver of the car backed up the hill and drove away.  The cat sat on the sidewalk most of the day, looking up the hill, watching and waiting for his master to return.

Children approached the abandoned cat and he greeting them lovingly.  He wrapped his tail around their legs and allowed them to pet him, the children walked away and the cat sat back down and waited patiently for his master to return.

I slowly approached the cat to see if I could take him inside.  The cat was friendly and did allow me to sit next to him and pet him.  I picked him up and he was okay with that too, but as soon as I walked toward my home he became agitated, he leaped from my arms.

The Norwegian Forest cat ran into the forest and was not seen for the rest of the day.  I called my neighbors and the caregivers that I work with to ask them to watch for the abandoned cat.  We all put out a bowl a food and water and we opened up the kitty door in our garages to allow this cat shelter.

The following morning the cat returned to the sidewalk and he waited and watched for his master to return.  Many people think that cats have no feelings and that they will adjust.  Cats love their masters and they never forget them.

This Norwegian Forest cat cat got lucky, as he was abandoned on my block.  My neighbors and I watch out and care for the feral and stray cats.  We trap them and take them in for medical care: tests, shots, vaccination for feline leukemia, pest control, wormed and spay or neuter.  Then we release them to a controlled colony that located on private property.  These cats have thicket shelters, insualted wood shelters, KH outdoor insulated cat houses and daily feedings with fresh bowl of water.

We named the abandoned cat Bob.  He is easy going and does not fight but he does love the queen cats.  He will meticulously groom them and I swear if he was human he would be a hair stylist.  He is also a bit of a lover boy, as he is always kissing the queen cats. Bob joined the colony and visits me three times a day.

Bob's daily routine:

1. Arrive at 5:30 am to the sidewalk where he was pushed out of the car and waits for his masters car to return.
2. Go to my neighbors house at 9 am for a bite to eat.
3. Visit with his cat friends at the colony.
4. Head over to my feeding station at 1:00pm
5. From 1:00 to 5:00 he is unaccounted for
6. 5:00 pm shows up at my other neighbors deck
7. 6:00 pm arrives at my feeding station
8. 9:00 pm after neighbors go to bed Bob stretches out on their heated porch

Bob got lucky he did not need to forage, or seek shelter.  He did not have to worry about feline leukemia, worms, or parasites.  Because he gets his routine shots and is treated monthly with Merial Frontline Plus Flea and Tick Control for Cats. I am the one who usually brings Bob in for his annual wellness exam and vaccines and my neighbors who love Bob, chip in to pay for veternarin bill. 
.

The abandoned cat that we call Bob gets plenty of human attention as everyone who meets Bob immediately loves him. Bob is making due, filling his time but he is still waiting for his master to return.

Update 1/28/2012

Bob is approximately ten years of age and he has chosen to spend his time with my neighbor that helps me care for the feral cats.

Bob can be viewed sitting on my friends porch, or following her around her yard.  He will also spend time with me and I can count on him being in my yard or sitting on my front porch six hours out of the day.

This winter he has camped out in my shed/shelter and has allowed me to bring his food and water indoors to him.  He will stay in the bed rather then hide from me in a dark corner.  He also enjoys a thicket den I created for him out a wheelbarrow, wood logs and four feet of straw.

Here is a card I made at my zazzle shop that shows the winter den that I made for Bob.

 

Feral Cat in Winter Note Card Greeting Cards by Susang6
 

Bob's life is simple, as he has a routine, we all feed the feral and stray cats the same food so there is no stomach upset and he has a warm bed to comfort him throughout the winter months.

 He has cat friends that come to my yard to visit with him and they all lay in the ornamental grass garden by the back pond and groom each other.

But you should know that Bob waited for his master to return for 3 years, he sat on the sidewalk every day and stared up the hill.  He watched the cars pass him by, no car ever stopped.

Bob's master never returned.