What Is A Cat Colony?
A cat colony is a group of cats living together outside at a particular location. A cat colony can be anywhere from a small handful of cats, to a large group of more than 50+. These cats will develop the skills they need to survive on their own, generally unassisted by people. These colonies usually form in areas where people have abandoned undesexed cats who have then gathered to find food, shelter and breed. These colonies can also be formed from an abandoned litter of kittens, or singular kitten who will then entice neighbouring male cats to mate. Cat colonies can grow in size rapidly as a female cat's pregnancy gestation period is roughly 2 months, making it possible for her to birth as many as five litters per year.
How Do I Identify A Pregnant Cat?
Darkened and enlarged nipples are often a giveaway that a cat is pregnant. This generally occurs as the cat's body prepares to make milk for its young. Another indicator is a swollen abdomen and an increase in appetite. Towards the end of the pregnancy, pregnant cats will also display signs of nesting. If you suspect a cat within a colony is pregnant- intervention is absolutely essential so that the colony does not rapidly increase in numbers resulting in more homeless cats competing for already scarce resources. Please contact us immediately so that the cat(s) can be safely trapped. Cats trapped by S.A.M. are placed into our foster care system for rehabilitation and veterinarian care -and more importantly to be desexed!