Urinary tract infections, which frequently lead to urinary blockages in male cats, cause slow and excruciating deaths if left untreated. Others die from blood loss or anemia because of worms, fleas, and untreated injuries.

Ferals often scratch their ears until they bleed because they are driven mad by the pain and itching of ear mites and related infections. Untreated upper respiratory infections can cause cats’ eyes and noses to become so caked with mucus that they can barely see or breathe. Minor cuts or puncture wounds can turn into raging infections and abscesses. Even easily treatable conditions can become deadly for cats who are not seen by veterinarians and are not routinely handled and examined. They never die of “old age.” Contagious diseases such as herpes viral conjunctivitis, feline AIDS, leukemia, and infectious peritonitis are common in cats left outdoors. Since feral cats, like those who share our homes with us, are domesticated, they depend on humans to feed, water, and shelter them and to keep them safe from harm.įeral cats live short, hard lives on the streets. It is estimated that between 60 and 100 million homeless cats live in the U.S. Often, feral cats are the descendants of unaltered cats who were abandoned outdoors. Feral cats are domesticated cats who are fearful of humans because they have been fending for themselves from a young age and never had the opportunity to socialize and learn to trust people.

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