Relocation is the process of moving a stray or feral cat from it's current outdoor home to a new outdoor home. It is an involved process, and requires the efforts of a caretaker at the new location. However, due to the large variation in cat personalities and outdoor habitats, relocation is seldom very successful. Here are examples of situations where relocation nearly always fails :

• Cats that are very feral;
• Too few cats relocated to a site, or
• Individual cats relocated;
• Kittens under 6 months relocated without a mother

Alley Cat Advocates does not actively participate in the relocation of cats but understands it may be necessary in the following situations:

1. The lives of the cats are being threatened in a way that can not be legally remedied;
2. Their building/shelter is being destroyed and it is impossible to provide an alternative shelter at their current home, or within a workable "migration" distance;
3. There is no caretaker available , and it is impossible/illegal for another caretaker to be provided
4. A fully-qualified new site is available

Rationale: Feral cats become well adapted to their territory and can live safely and contentedly in alleyways, parking lots, vacant lots, backyards and a host of other locations - urban, suburban and rural. The present home of a feral colony is the optimal place for the cats as they have probably been living there for some time. Colony cats develop very strong bonds with one another, their present territory and caretaker.

Why are we so opposed to relocating cats? It comes from much effort being expended, only to see the cats die or disappear. There are more ways for relocation to go WRONG than to go right, including:

1. In most cases, the relocated cats will disappear, either being driven off by territorial cats or other animals in the area or following their intense natural instinct to return "home."
2. Cats trying to find their way home often become lost or are killed attempting to cross major roads.
3. Cats are killed by hazards/threats they have never encountered before (like coyotes, chemicals, open wells, etc.)
4. Sanctuaries (life-long indoor mass homes) are few and most feral cats would not be happy living in confinement. Placing a feral in a sanctuary would take a home away from a domestic cat that may live quite contentedly there.
5. Relocating all or most of the cats in a colony can open up a "void" called the vacuum effect. This allows un-neutered cats to move into the area, starting the cycle all over again if there is shelter or food to attract them. The food supply could be unsecured trash cans, an unknown feeder or wild rodents.
6. Feral cats form strong bonds with other cats in their colonies. Separating a cat from her colony members and leaving her alone in a new environment will cause stress, depression and loneliness, and increase their desire to return home

** Many thanks to Indy Feral for providing the above text. Visit their website for additional resources!  www.indyferal.org

If all other resources have been exhausted and relocation seems to be the only option, please see the following link for safe relocation guidelines. http://www.alleycat.org/netcommunity/page.aspx?pid=334

If you need additional advice, please contact us!