For Immediate Release: April 22, 2014
Contact: JOHNNIE SIMPSON, [email protected] or (240) 482-3895
BETHESDA, MDAlley Cat Allies, the nation’s largest advocacy group for cats, today reminds those who care for outdoor cats in their communities that with hot weather on the way, a few simple steps can make feral cats more comfortable in the heat.
“Feral cats are hardy and well-adjusted to living outdoors, as they have for more than 10,000 years,” said Becky Robinson, president and founder of Alley Cat Allies. “But when temperatures rise, there are a few easy things caregivers can do to ensure the feral cats in their community stay well-hydrated and cool.”
Alley Cat Allies offers the following tips to help the stray and feral cats in your community this summer:
Food
- In the summer, insects can be a challenge, so try to remove any uneaten food from the cats’ feeding area after 30 minutes. If it takes the cats a while to eat, you might want to wait 45 or 60 minutes.
- Try to feed the cats dry food in the summer. Dry food tends to attract fewer insects.
- Elevate feeding stations slightly off the ground and surround them with a line of food-grade diatomaceous earth without chemical additives (available from some natural food stores and pet supply companies).The diatomaceous earth should be reapplied after rainstorms. Diatomaceous earth sold for swimming pool filters is not safe to use for this purpose.
- Purchase an ant-proof bowl.
Water
- Cats can dehydrate faster in extreme heat. It’s extra important to help cats stay hydrated in the summer. Put out extra sources of water for the cats so they always have it when they need it.
- Keep water bowls out of the sun, as the water will quickly evaporate in the summer heat.
- Use a bowl with less surface area. A narrow but deep bowl will reduce the evaporation rate as well.
Trapping
- If you are performing Trap-Neuter-Return in the summer, make sure to take into account the extreme heat and how it affects the cats’ safety. Cats can die from heat stroke if they are left in a trap for too long. Make sure the cats don’t remain in their traps for long by scheduling your spay/neuter appointments for directly after trapping.
- Do not place traps on surfaces that can get extremely warm from the sun, such as asphalt. The metal trap can absorb the asphalt’s heat and burn the cats’ paws.
Find more information about summer weather safety for outdoor cats: www.alleycat.org/SummerWeather.
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About Alley Cat Allies
Alley Cat Allies is the only national advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of cats. Founded in 1990, today Alley Cat Allies has over half a million supporters and helps tens of thousands of individuals, communities, and organizations save and improve the lives of millions of cats and kittens nationwide. Its website is www.alleycat.org.