[kelleygaither2000]

...cats and dogs is actually bad. Should i continue to leave food out for animals who want it(i don't try and keep them, i just put out food and water for wandering ferals).

[tx_dianna]

I would keep feeding them. It can't hurt anything.

[gkltdd]

More and more are going to be attracted to where you live.....this could get out of hand very fast.....

[Penny's from Heaven]

I would not continue to feed them. It also attracts other unwanted critters.... racoons, mice, skunks, rats, and bugs. It can spread disease amoung these animals as well.

[tentofield]

Don't feed ferals. They kill native wildlife and dog packs will attack people. Once you start feeding cats you will soon be overrun. It might sound cruel but the only good feral is a dead one.

[Brackish]

It's not bad, but in a way it could be .... The reason I say that because ferral cats breed more ferral cats. You are contributing to over-population of cats and unfortunately some of them end up euthanized because they are not socialized.What you are trying to do is kind. May I suggest you check into any local organizations (here we have Animal Birth Control) where they do spay/neuter of feral cats and give them shots (but you have to catch them and bring them). You could continue to feed them then without worrying that these cats will breed more cats. Really, it's very humane compared to them being captured and in shelters that can't afford to care for so many unwanted cats. Good luck, and thanks for being kind to animals.

[gimmenamenow]

No. The best thing to do for your local ferals is to send them to a rescue organization. I'm sure there's a spay neuter release program in your area (biggest waste of time known to man, imho, but still.) Feeding ferals will make them hang around more, and unless you are trapping them and having them vaccinated and fixed, it just causes more disease and unwanted litters. While I don't fully agree with spay neuter release, it's better than the alternative, and some of the animals actually get decent homes rather than released back into the wild (where they don't belong.)Also, ask your neighbors if they appreciate you feeding the ferals, you'll probably be suprised at the response. I despised the woman who used to feed stray cats next door to me because the house I was in was the only one on the street that was up off the ground... guess where all the cats pooped and peed? Guess where all the kittens were born? Guess who was trying to get birds and other wildlife in their yard? Accursed strays..... I kept live traps out...

[birdgirl]

In the best interest of the animal, it would be better to set out a trap (which most humane societies ad some vets will loan or rent out) and take it to your local shelter so that it might have a chance of getting adopted.

[Konswayla]

If you want to continue to feed them, leave the food far away from where people live. From what I've seen in your responses, people can be pretty touchy about it. I'd be concerned about the possibility of spreading a disease, like parvo, to someone's pets. Also, small children wouldn't know a feral animal from a pet, and they might approach one. The animals that have adapted to live in the wild need to be left alone, like any wild animal.