If you read this recent Ann Arbor News article you had a glimpse into the futility of the shelter model of cat welfare.  Staying ahead of reproducing cats through sheltering is an impossible task.  Cats normally breed from March to September, but in years with warmer winter temperatures -- like last winter -- the season begins earlier and ends later.  With pregnancies lasting only 9 weeks, lengthening the season increases the number of litters each cat can deliver from two to three -- as mother cats can get pregnant again while still nursing.  And, the earlier in the spring kittens are born, the more likely they will be sexually active by summer adding their own litter into the same season.

The spike in cat numbers that shelters reported resulted from an unusually warm winter.  But, even in "normal" years, the number of excess cats far outstrips the ability of shelters to place them -- with only about one in three of all rescued cats being adopted.  Of the others, some end up in no-kill shelters living out their lives in cages -- but most are euthanized -- in Washtenaw County alone, at a rate of 5 cats per day.

Taking feral and stray mom cats with kittens to shelters does not guarantee them a home.  And, more importantly, does not stop the reproduction -- even when a few of the rescued kittens are adopted out and their mothers euthanized.  Why?  Because the cats left behind -- that the rescuer didn't see -- continue to reproduce -- quickly replacing those that were "rescued" -- up to the limits of their food supply.

If sheltering is not the solution, what is? Over 80% of all kittens are born outdoors to unmanaged feral cats -- cats with little human contact in their first 8 weeks of life. If you find feral cats living in your yard, what can you do? You can do nothing, -- which will inevitably lead to kittens. You can take the cats to a shelter -- which will inevitably lead to their euthanasia.
 

Friendly or Feral?
If you see a new cat outdoors, you may think he's lost.  But, with many feral cats living as wildlife -- and many pet cats allowed outside (without collars) -- proceed cautiously.  Rescuing may not be necessary or even the best decision.  Unless the cat is in danger, observe him for a few days to ensure he really needs help.  You should first determine if this is a pet that goes out, a feral cat -- or a lost cat -- and rescue only a lost cat:

Outdoor Pet Cat Characteristics.  Friendly, well-groomed cats are probably pets that go outdoors.  They're comfortable with people and may try to come inside.  Females and neutered males are usually neighborhood cats -- they seldom roam -- but intact male cats do -- so they may live further away.

Feral & Lost Cat Characteristics.  It's hard to tell a feral cat from a lost cat because pets revert to feral behaviors when they're scared.  Both come out at night and hide during the day.  When approached, they can both show signs of aggression (hiss, growl, bared teeth, arched back) and will run if you make eye contact.  The differences are subtle.  A feral cat may be better groomed than a recently-lost pet who hasn't adjusted to living outdoors.  If you start feeding them, eventually both will trust you -- but the pet will begin acting like a companion while the feral cat will stay skittish -- especially around others.

The goal of any feral cat management program should be to maximize quality of life for the cats and to eliminate the existing colony over time through attrition..."