General Information

Stress in Feral Cats

Feral Kittens

FeLV Testing

Sick Cats/Euthanasia

Trapping Instructions

TRAP/NEUTER/RETURN PROGRAM

Information for Feral Cat Caretakers

Feral Kittens: 

Feral kittens can sometimes be tamed and placed in homes, but they MUST be socialized in their first few weeks of life.  This is a critical window and if they aren’t handled in time, they will remain feral, and therefore, unadoptable.   

• Kittens between 4 and 6 weeks old can take approximately one to two weeks to socialize.

• Kittens between 6 and 8 weeks old may take anywhere from two to four weeks, and between 8 and 9 weeks the socialization period will be approximately four weeks. 

• Kittens over 10 weeks of age can possibly be tamed but it may take much longer, and many times they will only tame down to the person working with them and remain quite wild with strangers. 

Depending on the availability of foster homes, WCHS will attempt socialization of kittens up to 8 or 9 weeks old.  Kittens 10 weeks and older will be re-released.  Feral kittens must be 2 pounds in order to be sterilized.