The Burbank Animal Shelter receives many feral kittens under 2 months of age that can be socialized and in time become loving, affectionate pets. The Shelter also receives many domesticated adult cats that require socialization due to the high level of stress they suffer from being caged.
The taming process for these scared cats takes patience and the understanding that the cats will come around at their own pace. Sometimes it takes a month, sometimes six months depending on the age and temperament of the cat.
The VBAS Socialization Team works with our scared cats daily to prepare them for adoption. Due to space restrictions however, we cannot unfortunately always provide the amount of time that these cats require.
Individuals are desperately needed to adopt these great cats and to continue the socialization process in the home. Advice is provided on the adjustment process.
For more information on adopting a cat or kitten from the Socialization Program please contact the VBAS at contact@thevbas.org.
Feral Cats
What is a feral cat?
A feral cat is a free-roaming outdoor cat that has never been socialized. Most feral cats live in bonded groups or colonies. They gather where they can find shelter and a reliable food source. As these outdoor cats have never been handled, they cannot be tamed and cannot be adopted into homes. For this reason Feral Cats should never be relinquished to a shelter.
Outdoor cats can live long healthy lives as long as they are managed responsibly. Caretakers should provide basic shelter, food and access to water. In order to control the population of feral cats it is imperative that all cats within a colony be spayed and neutered.
VBAS recommends Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) as the preferred method of managing feral cats.
Spay and Neuter Assistance
Many veterinarians offer reduced rates to rescuers who are willing to trap and release feral cats. We recommend calling the vet clinics in your community to check prices.
The VBAS also highly recommends using the services of the following organizations.
Fix Nation is a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing the population of feral cats by offering free sterilization for as many cats as possible. Their services are free to feral cats but donations are welcome. An application must be filled out and appointments are by reservation. They are located at 7680 Clybourn Ave, Sun Valley 91352 and can be reached at info@fixnation.org. For more information please visit www.fixnation.org.
SNP LA is a non-profit organization that offers low-cost, high-quality spay/neuter services at various locations throughout California. For more information please visit SNPLA.org or call (310) 574-5555.
Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR)
Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) is a program wherein feral cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered and released back into their territory.
An unaltered female cat left alone to breed can produce two or three litters per year. Each of her offspring in turn can produce two or three litters per year and so on and so on. This cycle results in literally thousands of unwanted kittens in the community.
The only way to control the number of free-roaming cats and to prevent their suffering is to consistently spay and neuter.
Cities that have adopted TNR programs in their communities have seen a noticeable reduction not only in the number of cats in local colonies but also in the number of feral cats being relinquished to shelters.
Cats that have been spayed or neutered live healthier lives. Females are less likely to develop ovarian or uterine cancer; males are less likely to develop testicular cancer. Unaltered males have a tendency to fight during mating season; once neutered the urge to fight is eliminated, preventing injury and infection. Males that have been neutered will also often cease spraying which is a common complaint against feral cats.
Barn Cat Program
You can learn more about the VBAS’s Barn Cat Program here, for cats that would not be happy living indoors with people but can live fulfilling lives as working felines.