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| − | [[Image:DorDor.JPG|thumb|right|Most feral kittens have little chance of surving more than a few months and are vulnerable to starvation, predators, disease and even flea-induced anemia.]] | + | {| border=1 cellspacing=0 align=right cellpadding=2 |
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| | + | !Chartreux |
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| | + | |[[Image:Chartreux_Cat_1.jpg|225px|Chartreux cat]] |
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| | + | !Country of origin |
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| | + | |[[France]] |
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| | + | !Breed standards (external links) |
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| | + | |[http://www.cfainc.org/breeds/standards/chartreux.html CFA], [http://www.acfacat.com/breeds/standards/chartreuxstd.html ACFA], [http://www.cca-afc.com/Chad.html CCA], [http://www.acf.asn.au/Standards/Chartreux.htm ACF],<br> [http://www.tica.org/cxstd03.pdf TICA], FIFe |
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| | + | The '''Chartreux''' is a recognized [[cat breed|breed]] of [[cat]]. Chartreux cats are from [[France]], reportedly originally bred by [[Carthusian]] monks for the purposes of catching [[mice]]. Legend has it the Chartreux's ancestors were feral mountain cats from what is now [[Syria,]] brought back to France by returning [[Crusaders]] in the 13th century. |
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| − | A '''feral cat''' is a [[cat]] in a [[feral]] or wild state. They are distinguished from [[wild cat]]s since they are domestic cats that live without human care as opposed to being truly wild. Feral cats are generally cats that grow up without direct human interactionation and usually cannot be tamed. Feral kittens, however, can be socialized to live with humans if they are taken from a feral colony before they are about fourteen weeks old.
| + | Physically, the Chartreux is large and muscular with short but powerful limbs, big paws and very fast reflexes. They are known for their blue (grey) double-thickness fur coats and gold- or copper-colored eyes. Chartreux cats are known for their "smile"; due to the structure of their heads and long, tapered muzzle, they often appear to be smiling. |
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| − | Feral cats may live alone, but most are found in large groups called [[feral cat colony|feral colonies]] with communal nurseries, depending on resource availability. Many abandoned [[pet]] cats join these colonies out of desperation; these cats can usually be readopted into a new home. The average [[lifespan]] of a feral cat that survives beyond [[kitten]]hood is usually less than two years while a [[domestication|domestic]] housecat lives an average of sixteen years or more.
| + | Chartreux cats tend to be quiet, rarely making noises such as mewing or crying. Some are mute. They are quite intelligent, with some Chartreux learning to operate radio on/off buttons and to open screen door latches. Chartreux cats are also fond of chasing and playing well into their adult years; some can be taught to fetch small objects in the same manner as a dog. Chartreux are good with children and other animals, are nonaggressive, good travelers and are generally very healthy. |
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| − | National Feral Cat Day is October 16.
| + | Historically famous Chartreux owners include the French novelist [[Colette]] and French general/president [[Charles de Gaulle.]] |
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| − | == In the United States ==
| + | The Chartreux breed was advanced to championship status in 1987 by the Cat Fancier's Association (CFA.) |
| − | [[City]]scapes and [[North America]] are not native environments to the cat; the domestic cat comes from [[temperate]] or hot, often dry, [[climate]]s and was distributed throughout the world by [[human]]s. Although cats are somewhat adaptable, feral felines are unable to survive in extreme cold and heat, and with a need for a diet of 90% protein, few cats find adequate nutrition on their own. In addition, they have no [[defense]] or understanding of such [[predator]]s as [[dog]]s, [[coyote]]s and even [[automobile]]s.
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| − | However, throughout the [[United States]], there are thousands of volunteers and organizations that trap these unadoptable feral felines, [[oophorectomy|spay]] or [[castration|neuter]] them, [[inoculation|inoculate]] the cats against [[rabies]] and [[feline leukemia]] and treat them with long-lasting [[flea treatment|flea products]]. Before release back into their feral colonies, the attending [[veterinarian]] nips the tip off one [[ear]] to mark the feral as spayed/neutered and inoculated, as these cats will more than likely find themselves trapped again.
| + | == External Links == |
| | + | *[http://www.cfainc.org/breeds/profiles/chartreux.html CFA profile] |
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| − | Volunteers continue to feed and give care to these cats throughout their lives, and not only is their lifespan greatly increased, behavior and nuisance problems due to competition for food are greatly reduced. In time, if the entire colony is successfully spayed and neutered, no additional kittens are born and the feral colony disappears.
| + | [[Category:Cat breeds]] |
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| − | == In Australia ==
| + | [[fr:Chartreux (chat)]] |
| − | Feral cats have been present in [[Australia]] since [[European]] settlement, and may have arrived with [[Netherlands|Dutch]] [[shipwreck]]s in the [[17th century]]. Intentional releases were made in the late [[19th century]] in the hope that cats would control mice, rabbits and rats.
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| − | The feral cat has been an ecological disaster in Australia, inhabiting most ecosystems except dense [[rainforest]], and being implicated in the [[extinction]] of several [[marsupial]] and [[bird]] [[species]]. Control programs are difficult to devise due to the nocturnal and solitary nature of the cat, broad distribution in the landscape and continuous additions to the population from abandoned domestic cats.
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| − | == In Rome ==
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| − | [[Rome]], [[Italy]] is perhaps the place with most feral cats, the total number being estimated between 250,000 and 350,000, organized in about 2,000 colonies, some of them living in famous ancient places such as the [[Colosseum]].
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| − | == Kerguelen ==
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| − | Feral cats, along with rabbits and some sea birds, are the entire animal population of the [[Kerguelen Islands]]
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| − | == Activism ==
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| − | Unlike [[novelty pet]]s which are often discarded upon reaching adulthood, most feral cats are discarded as kittens. This is because cats breed rapidly and have large litters, and often their owners do not have the capacity to care for a large number of cats.
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| − | Feral cats live in terrible conditions. Often they subsist on garbage, and many suffer parasites and health problems. Most often, they have difficulty walking, as cats develop hip problems in poor conditions. There is also a small risk that they will develop [[rabies]] and post a threat to human health.
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| − | Because of these dangers presented by a large population of feral cats, and also out of compassion toward the animals, many [[celebrity|celebrities]] campaign to encourage people to spay and neuter their pets, including [[Bob Barker]].
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| − | == External links ==
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| − | * [http://www.lovethatcat.com/spayneuter.html List of US spay & neuter programs]
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| − | * [http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/ferals/cat/ Australian Department of Environment and Heritage fact sheet on feral cats]
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| − | * [http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/tap/cats/index.html Threat Abatement Plan for Predation by Feral Cats, prepared by the Aust Dept of Environment and Heritage]
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| − | * [http://goeurope.about.com/cs/rome/a/rome_cats.htm About.com: Rome cats]
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| − | [[Category:Cat types]]
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The Chartreux is a recognized breed of cat. Chartreux cats are from France, reportedly originally bred by Carthusian monks for the purposes of catching mice. Legend has it the Chartreux's ancestors were feral mountain cats from what is now Syria, brought back to France by returning Crusaders in the 13th century.
Physically, the Chartreux is large and muscular with short but powerful limbs, big paws and very fast reflexes. They are known for their blue (grey) double-thickness fur coats and gold- or copper-colored eyes. Chartreux cats are known for their "smile"; due to the structure of their heads and long, tapered muzzle, they often appear to be smiling.
Chartreux cats tend to be quiet, rarely making noises such as mewing or crying. Some are mute. They are quite intelligent, with some Chartreux learning to operate radio on/off buttons and to open screen door latches. Chartreux cats are also fond of chasing and playing well into their adult years; some can be taught to fetch small objects in the same manner as a dog. Chartreux are good with children and other animals, are nonaggressive, good travelers and are generally very healthy.
Historically famous Chartreux owners include the French novelist Colette and French general/president Charles de Gaulle.
The Chartreux breed was advanced to championship status in 1987 by the Cat Fancier's Association (CFA.)
External Links
fr:Chartreux (chat)
