Feral cats are cats that have had little or no socialization with humans; as a result they are fearful of humans and will hiss and spit when a human approaches (in time they will get to know you, but don't think they're going to curl up in your lap). Feral cats are essentially wild animals; most shelters will kill a feral cat that is brought in because they are "unadoptable." If you have feral cats in your neighborhood the best option is to Trap, Neuter, Release (TNR); there are many low-cost vets and clinics in the area that will sterilize a feral cat, then you must release it back to the area it was trapped in. For more information on TNR, click here.

• Provide dry, warm shelters (Click here to visit shelters you can build for the cats in your area)
• Make sure to provide bedding in shelters such as straw, wood chips, or hay. Avoid using blankets, carpet, or towels which can get wet and freeze.
• Prevent water dishes from freezing - use wide and deep dishes, Styrofoam to insulate the dish, or buy a heated dish.
• Cats like to curl up in warm engines during cold nights; if you park your car outdoors, be sure to either bang on the hood or honk your horn to scare any cats out.
• TNR your cats in the FALL so females won't have shaved fur after surgery during the cold, and SPRING litters will be prevented.
• Continue (or start) offering food for your cats.

Ooohhh, the weather outside is frightful... It's getting coooold outside and it's time to make sure our four-legged friends stay safe this winter. Here are some tips to make sure winter is fun and safe:

• Keep your cat inside. Outdoors, felines can freeze, become lost or be stolen, injured or killed. Cats who are allowed to stray are exposed to infectious diseases, including rabies, from other cats, dogs and wildlife.
• Bang your hood. During the winter, outdoor cats (and other wildlife) sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape.
• Don't let me go! Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm—dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure yours always wears ID tags.
• Keep the towel handy! Thoroughly wipe off your dog's legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice. He can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking his paws, and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice.
• Keep my coat long. Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. When you bathe your dog in the colder months, be sure to completely dry him before taking him out for a walk. Own a short-haired breed? Consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly. For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear.
• I'll wait for you here. Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.
• I can learn to flush...maybe... Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs, and may be difficult to housebreak during the winter. If your puppy appears to be sensitive to the weather, you may opt to paper-train him inside. If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only to relieve himself.
• Let's make a yard-full of snow angels! Does your dog spend a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities? Increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep him—and his fur—in tip-top shape.
• I'm good with water, only. Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol.
• Got room in your bed?!?!? Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.