What is a Felixer?

Felixers were developed and patented by Ecological Horizons with assistance from several NGOs and Government grants as a novel, humane and automated tool to help control feral cats and foxes.

Who invented the Felixer?

The Felixer was invented by John Read in consultation with South Australian engineering consultants Applidyne Australia Pty Ltd, who manufactured the prototype Felixers and develop its software.

What is feral cat culling?

Many scientists in government agencies and private research institutions argue for a cull: a coordinated effort to trap and euthanize as many feral cats as possible.

How do you control feral cats?

TNR (Trap, Neuter, and Release) programs are the hallmark of controlling feral cat populations. These programs humanely trap feral cats and partner with veterinarians to spay and neuter them. Many programs vaccinate the cats for rabies and other infectious diseases.

Can a feral cat become a house cat?

Adult feral cats are not socialized to people, which means they cannot be adopted to indoor homes. As a result, they are likely to be killed if picked up by animal control or brought to shelters, so it is in their best interest to continue living outdoors.

Feral Cat Grooming Traps

How do you get a feral cat to let you pet it?

How do you humanely shoot a cat?

Direct the bullet so that it will pass through the brain toward the base of the skull – where it attaches to the spine. This way, the bullet will cause a great deal of tissue damage and ensure a more humane death. Even a properly placed shot can result in violent convulsions of the dying animal.

Why does Australia have no big cats?

Because they are not native to Australia and were only introduced by Europeans in the early 1800s, Australian animals were not able to co-evolve with them; as a result, their environmental impact is considerably higher than in most other parts of the world.

Why are feral cats a problem?

Feral cats live a dangerous and short existence because of the threats from fighting, disease, and often traffic. They can rarely be domesticated, and may carry diseases such as toxoplasmosis or cat scratch fever, both of which affect humans.

How does a Felixer grooming trap work?

They use rangefinder sensors to distinguish target cats and foxes from nontarget wildlife and humans etc and spray targets with a measured dose of toxic gel. The solar-powered Felixer which can hold 20 sealed cartridges of toxic gel automatically resets after firing.

What is a grooming trap?

Grooming traps are a humane, targeted and effective tool that automatically apply a measured dose of toxin to the fur of unrestrained feral cats, which is ingested when they instinctively and fastidiously groom.

Are feral cats friendly?

Feral and friendly is entirely a behavior-based distinction and some cats do transition from feral to friendly over the course of their lives. If so, that's great! However, you want to allow any socialization of feral adults to occur naturally while they live outside and interact with humans on their own terms.

How can you tell if a cat is feral?

Do all feral cats have fleas?

Feral cats normally have fleas, so if you come into contact with one or have one living near your house, you will probably be exposed to these parasites. Any cats or dogs you have will probably catch fleas, and you may be bitten. You won't be infested, however.

What is Australia's top predator?

Australia's largest extant predator is the dingo C. lupus dingo. There is observational evidence that where dingoes are locally abundant, foxes and cats are rare (Newsome 2001; Glen & Dickman 2005). Dingoes kill these smaller predators, and foxes evidently fear and avoid dingoes (O'Neill 2002; Mitchell & Banks 2005).

Is there Jaguars in Australia?

He believes there are three panther species in Australia: the leopard, jaguar and mountain lion. “There are nine known subspecies of these cats, but we most likely have the Asiatic and African leopard subspecies here in Australia.”

Do panthers exist in Australia?

The south-west of Western Australia has witnessed sightings of panthers, tigers and cougars. From Mount Gambier or Tantanoola to the Coorong, South Australia is also a good place to find them. In NSW the best places to see them are in the Hunter, around the Blue Mountains or New England.

Can you go to jail for killing a cat?

Many people wonder if animal cruelty is a federal felony. In 2019 the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act or PACT Act was signed into law, making certain acts of animal cruelty a federal crime. Violating the PACT Act is punishable by a prison term up to seven years, a fine, or both.

Is drowning an animal humane?

This advice was contrary to the applicable New York anti-cruelty statute, and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) unconditionally condemns drowning as a method of killing. In its Report of the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia, the panel concludes, “Drowning is not a means of euthanasia and is inhumane.”

Will stray cats drink antifreeze?

The flavor of the liquid is also highly appealing to cats. If they have the opportunity to lick or drink it, they will. Unfortunately, if your cat drinks antifreeze, dehydration will be the least of your problems. Even as little as a teaspoonful of antifreeze can harm your cat in fatal ways.

How do you know if a feral cat trusts you?

Can feral cats be litter box trained?

Strays and Feral Cats

Recently homed feral and stray cats may have to be actively trained to use a box filled with clay litter, especially if they have been imprinted on something else. While some strays catch on quickly, others don't.

Do feral cats need water?

Keep a bowl of fresh water outside to keep your local kitties hydrated. Once the feral cats know that you will consistently provide food and water, they will start coming around more often.

What does it mean when a feral cat meows at you?

There are actually a number of reasons. Cats meow as a way of greeting you, to demand attention, to ask for food, to be let inside or outside, to find a mate (for cats who are not fixed), or if they are elderly and suffering from mental confusion, such as a result of the cat version of Alzheimer's Disease.

Is it true that feral cats don't meow?

Stray cats may walk and move like a house cat with its tail in the air and he might make eye contact with you while feral cats could crouch and protect its tail and avoid eye contact. Stray cats could be vocal – you could hear them meowing and could respond to your voice while feral cats won't meow, beg or respond.