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Many people feel compelled to helping rescue and tame feral cats, but few know the right way to go about it. First, it is important to know what a feral cat is. A feral cat is not a wild cat, it is a cat who was once owned but for whatever reason is now living without a known owner. As such in helping a feral cat, one really is reminding it about the virtues of having an owner.

Before doing anything a person is advised to call their local animal shelter to see if anyone has reported missing a cat of that description. Otherwise a person may find themselves investing a lot of time and effort into a cat that is owned, and one that legally belongs to somebody else. At this time it is advised a person file a found report on the cat, this protects the finder in the event somebody later claims to be the cats owner and wants to charge the finder with theft.

The first thing that must be done is for the cat to be caught. With extremely nervous animals a proper cat trap should be used. In some areas veterinarians or animal shelters will rent, or loan, them out. Otherwise they can be purchased from a livestock feed store. Although they should not be a regular part of a cats diet, sardines work well as a bait for the trap. Once caught the cat should be immediately transported to a veterinarian, or shelter, to be checked for identification, such as a tattoo or microchip. It would be a good idea to have the cat checked, vaccinated, and dewormed, at this time too. Possibly it will need to be spayed or neutered as well.

Back at home the cat should be confined to a small room in the house, one with a litter box, dry food and water. Although the cat may not enjoy being confined, this puts it in the best position for taming. Depending on the cat, taming may be fast and easy, or may take months.

Befriend the cat by regularly visiting it in the room, kittens should be forced to be held, but older cats should be allowed to approach on their own. By offering only dry food when you are not in the room and offering small amounts of canned food only when you are in the room, the cat will soon learn that people are good.

Try to visit the cat for 30 minutes several times a day. After about a week you should notice a change, if even only a small one. As the cat becomes more social, invite other people into the room, but do not allow them to chase or otherwise torment the cat. Instead give them treats to offer when the cat approaches and tell them to speak softly. Children should be watched

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