Feral Cat

What is a feral cat? It is an untamed cat born in the wild. A stray cat is not necessarily a feral cat. This cat grows up with no human contact unlike a stray cat who can have human contact but is not owned by someone.
In the United States, a feral cat commonly comes from an abandoned domestic cat's offspring. Owners who have not spayed or neutered a cat may lose or abandon it. Although the parent(s) have had human contact, the offspring will not inherit this exposure. Even the parent(s) in time may revert back to being a wild cat.
In Australia, a feral cat is a breed that lives in the wild. These cats can be found throughout the country. They are predators to marsupials, reptiles and birds. Australia, New Zealand and several island countries have had problems with large populations of feral cats destroying different species of wildlife. Some countries tried eliminating them but that led to other animal control problems.
These cats are usually found in groups. Their lifespan is much shorter than a domestic cat because they are prey for larger animals. They can be found in areas of extreme heat or cold. They play a part in controlling the small animal population especially rodents. Unfortunately, they also feed on birds.
Controlling this population has always been a challenge. Some states allow them to be hunted and killed. Another technique is to trap, neuter and release the cat. This has been effective but very time consuming. The Feral Cat Coalition in San Diego has a program at no cost to help control this population. Recently seven feral cats were trapped on Saint Nicolas Island in California. Instead of being exterminated, the cats were transferred to an the Animal Medical Center in El Cajon. The Humane Society of the United States, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Navy are working together to try to control this population on the island of over 200 of these cats.
A feral cat can be tamed to live with humans but this is recommended at the young kitten stage. A slow process of 2 to 6 weeks is required to acclimate a feral kitten to humans. Having a adult domestic cat can act as a role model for the kitten. Taming an adult can be done but requires a different approach. Some feral cats or kittens cannot be tamed based on their temperament. If a cat that cannot be tamed is returned to the wild, it should be spayed or neutered.
A feral cat is a wild animal. It can carry diseases including rabies. A cat is a prime carrier of a parasite called toxoplasmosis. This parasite can be very dangerous to humans with weakened humane systems. A feral cat because it feeds on raw meat is more apt to have the parasite. If you find one, be very careful and seek professional help on how to handle it. If bitten by a feral cat, see a doctor immediately.

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Does a Black Cat Bring Bad Luck?

I thought I would share my views on a black cat bringing bad luck. This cat has always been portrayed as a mysterious animal. Due to it's reputation as a bad omen, the cat has a lesser chance of being adopted at an animal shelter.
The cat has black fur but is not of any particular breed of cat. The black fur can be found in a male or female. Some of these cats have white markings on their face and paws. It does not matter if it is a mixed breed or pure breed, the black fur will still prevail.
Since the 1880's, the color black was associated with anarchism and this cat became a symbol of that political movement. The cat symbolized the idea of sabotage. The symbol was used to influence managers of companies when there were labor disagreements. Sometimes the employee(s) would put the cat in a manager's office as a reminder of the dispute.
In the western world, a black cat is suppose to bring bad luck. If this cat crosses someone's path, bad luck will follow. This belief started with the Pilgrims. The cat was associated with a witch. Any person seen with this cat might have been considered a witch and associated with the devil. If a witch was caught, both the witch and the cat would be burned at the stake. Every Halloween, you can still see images of witches and black cats.
There are many other tales of how this cat brought bad luck. When King Charles I's cat died, he was accused of high treason. In ancient times, this cat in front of a fireplace symbolized an evil spirit and could see ghosts. If a farmer thought his land was cursed, he could shoot this cat with a silver bullet and remove the curse.
On the other hand, there are instances when a black cat was considered to bring good luck. The Egyptians worshiped this cat and banned it from being killed. Sailors believed this cat would bring them good luck. In the British Isles and France, owning a black cat brings good luck.
These cats have been portrayed in movies and literature for many years. Edgar Allen Poe wrote a short story titled The Black Cat. The Black Cat was a 1934 horror film starring Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff. The Aristocats, an animated Disney movie, featured Berlioz, a black male cat, as one of it's main characters. The movie, Bell, Book and Candle starring Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak, featured witches with black cats. On the TV series, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, there was a black cat named Salem Saberhagen.
Who is to tell who is right? I have been lucky so far. When you see a black cat, remember it's only a cat unless it is with a witch on a broomstick.

I live in Georgia and have three cats. Currently involved in running an Internet business, http://purrfectcatproducts.com/, for cat products. Visit the site for quality cat products at great prices.

Breeds of Cats

Although there are many breeds of cats, this article briefly discusses the more well known breeds. Each breed has distinct markings and many times is easily recognizable. Cats have been crossbred for many years, but the cats shown below are still bred as a pure breed.
The Russian Blue is a silver-blue coated cat originally from Russia. The outer coat is coarse while the undercoat is soft and downy. The body is lean and elongated and the eyes are usually dark green. The breed is very intelligent and playful but can be timid among strangers. The breed is very loyal to it's owners.
Another breed is the Abyssinian. The breed is believed to have originated from Egypt. This breed is active, colorful and muscular. It is a medium in size with a soft, silky and dense coat. It's eyes are almond shaped and can be gold, hazel, copper or green in color. The breed requires a lot of attention and is timid toward strangers.
Burmese originally came from Thailand. It is medium sized and very muscular. It's eyes are gold or yellow. The Burmase was brown but selective breeding has made it available in many colors. It's coat is short haired with a satin-like finish. A Burmese is intelligent, playful and has an even temperament.
One of the oldest breeds is the Egyptian Mau. The Egyptian Mau is the only naturally spotted and fastest breed of domestic cat. Although the Mau is smaller than some cats, it's body shape and hind legs give it greater agility and speed. The Mau likes warm temperatures. The Mau is very loyal to it's owner but doesn't take well to strangers.
The Himalayan is a Persian-type cat. It is a long haired cat that requires daily brushing. It's vivid blue eyes and color points are that of a Siamese which distinguish it from the Persian. It's legs are short limiting it's jumping ability. It's temperament is sweet and it makes a good companion. It is intelligent and very active.
One of the larger breed of cats is the Maine Coon. It is native to Maine where it is the state cat. It is a long haired cat that comes in many colors. It's long fur is water resistance and the shape of it's toes allows it to walk on snow. The Maine Coon is one of the larger breed of domestic cats weighing up to 18 pounds. It is intelligent, gentile but cautious with strangers.
The Manx is a tailless cat with a sturdy body despite it's mutated spine. The mutated spine accounts for it being tailless. The Manx originated on the Isle of Man. It has a long, coarse outer coat and thick undercoat. Having longer front legs gives it the appearance of being rounded. The Manx has a sweet disposition and is a strong hunter.
Another long hair cat is the Persian. The Persian has a thick coat, short legs, wide head with large eyes and an an appearance of a "pushed in" face. It requires daily cleaning and brushing to avoid health problems. It has a good temperament and makes a good companion.
The Devon Rex origins date back to 1960 in England. The Devon Rex has a short curly soft coat, large ears, wide head and an upturned nose. It's whiskers are short and curled. It can leap very well due to it's long legs and large toes. It cannot tolerate extreme temperatures. The Devon Rex is intelligent, very friendly and likes high places.
Last but not least is the Siamese. The Siamese cat originated from Siam(Thailand). The Siamese has a slim, long, well muscled body, triangular shaped head, almond shaped eyes and a long, thin neck. It's hair is short, glossy and soft and has a pointed color scheme. The Siamese is the most vocal of all breeds and can jump with ease. The Siamese is intelligent and very social.
Each breed has it's own unique look and behavior. As an owner, you have to decide which features are important to you. Whether you chose a cat like the ones mentioned above, a stray or a cat from an animal shelter, a cat makes a loyal house pet when treated with love and kindness. If you decide on a pure breed cat, make sure the cat conforms to the Cat Fanciers' Association standards for authenticity.

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