Happy Feral Cat Day!

Today is International Feral Cat Day.  Feral cats are cats that have been born outside with minimal or no human contact before seven weeks of age.  Descended from abandoned or lost pets, as well as wandering pets, these cats live in families of cats known as colonies.

The life span of a feral cat is about three years, compared to the life-span of a house cat, which is upwards to twenty years or more.  Because feral cats are wild, they are prone to the same danger other wild animals faced namely predators and disease.  Being wild animals, these cats don’t adapt well to indoor life.  The best way to help feral cats is to prevent more from being born, through a Trap-Neuter-Return program, in which feral cats are fixed and vaccinated before being returned to their colony.  Toronto Animal Services Scarborough location has a free TNR clinic at 821 Progress Ae.  TAS, as well as the Toronto Humane Society, are involved with TNR programs throughout the city.  To find out more, visit www.feraltoronto.com.

Feast of St. Francis & World Animal Day on October 4th

Today is the Christian feast of St. Francis.  Founder of the Franciscan order of priests, he is also the patron saint of animals.  His love of animals and the natural world has inspired many Christian churches to hold special pet blessings.

The celebration of World Animal Day is held today as well but it is actually a secularization of the Feast of St. Francis.  Francis was a man ahead of his time, being an environmentalist and animal activist in the late 12th to earlier 13th century when such notions were unheard of.  Along with his love of animals Francis tended to the poor, particularly lepers and the homeless.  Today, in honour of St. Francis, do something to help people and animals in your community.