Spiritual Retreats Hawaii | Shaman Retreat | Lemuria Hawaii | Shamanic Healing

Feral Cats are a little like the domestic cats we find in homes, except that these cats are no friend to humans, or other animals as a whole. Although thought to be native to Hawaii, they were introduced there by Europeans, and today, indeed, they are present in virtually the whole of the Island. They are also found in other places like the U.K, the U.S, and Australia where they are seen as a menace to the environment.

These cats are identified as an invasive species, and have continually made the list of global invasive species list of any sort, being dangerous to other animals, most especially birds, some of which are already on the endangered list, such as the Palila and the Ua’u. Even humans are not left out of the negative impact of these nature cats. This is because, despite their nature as predatory cats, they also spread what is called Toxoplasma Gondii, a parasite that is dangerous to terrestrial and marine life. The parasite, which is found in the fecal matter of this cat, has been triggered as the cause of death of a number of fishes and birds. As for humans, this parasite also presents a danger, most especially to pregnant women who are advised to stay as much as possible away from them because it can even harm the fetus.

All these add up to the dangerous nature of the cat, and continually makes them hunted down for neutering.

Description

Feral cats are undomesticated cats that live in the wild and outdoor locations and avoid contact with humans. Although a little identical to pet cats, these cats are quite wild and are very distinct, behaviorally, from the cats we breed. These feral cats are different from stray cats in that unlike stray cats, which are abandoned pet cats, feral cats are unsocialized, and do all their best to avoid humans, and no amount of effort to socialize them so far has been completely successful, because although, they may form a bond with those who feed them, they still return to the wild with any given chance. A study in the United Kingdom describes feral cats as cats that prefer not to interact with humans, and could survive on its own with humans assistance, and would try to defend itself as much as possible from being trapped or captured. Some other scholars put them as domestic cats that have been abandoned, and adopted the new nature for survival.

Nature

The nature of these cats can be seen as wild, even though they are not essentially wild cats. Wild because they are not so tamed, and so exhibit behaviors that you won’t normally find in their not-so-distant cousins, pet cats. They are carnivorous, as per their diet, and feed mostly on birds, which they hunt down, including ducks. Some of what they eat also includes solid waste, and carcass. They avoid humans as much as they can, and if cornered, they may his or even attack, although mildly, and for defensive reasons. They sometimes survive in colonies, where they source for food and shelter together.

Danger to the habitat

Feral cats have been observed to be a threat to the environment in which they live. In Hawaii, where they can be found in the right major islands, these cats have been linked to the extinction of no less than 30 species, and also a threat to 8% of critically endangered animals. And also, they serve as the host of the Toxoplasma parasite, which affects birds and mammals.

Feral Retreats

The idea of a feral Spiritual Retreats Hawaii is necessary due to the fact that the cats are being targeted as a result of their impact of the environment. Already, some companies offer what they refer to as TNR ( trap – neuter – release) in a bid to check the population growth of these animals. Some even go to the extent of applying euthanasia on these cats. Although such practice has been highly protested against.

These retreats are signed up by persons voluntary with the aim of providing a better life for these cats, specifically with the aim of socializing with them, and providing them with food and other forms of care.

The Island of Hawaii offers this opportunity for a number of reasons. One of such is that the Island is home to quite a number of feral cats scattered across the many regions. Also is the fact that these cats are indeed posing a danger to the animals in the country, through their predatory actions and their spread of the toxoplasma parasite.

A retreat offers the opportunity to take care of these animals, which have been described by some people as misunderstood. Some of these cats have been taking into what has been called ‘sanctuary’, where they roam freely, under protection, and also out of the path of birds and other animals. So it’s like a win win situation, since most times, releasing them after neutering doesn’t prove so effective.

In Hawaii, one of such sanctuary is the Lanai Cat Sanctuary, home to over 600 cats, affording them the opportunities they have in the wild, but this time without posing a threat to the environment.