How can I get rid of feral cats?

Contact rescue groups and vet offices, they may have answers. Good luck.

I don't know what you mean by abatement program. People I know who have had this issue trap them and then take them to the shelter or to a clinic to be fixed. You probably ought to talk to your neighbors though. They may consider them outside pets.

Talk to your neighbors, might be their cats. I personally would have them spayed or neutered. You can't just "get rid" of them. What does your local animal control want to do?

you sound like a compassionate person and have no desire to harm the cats, so definitely talk with your neighbors to see if they will work with you to capture and neuter the cats. Your local animal control may have live traps and should be able to help you find funding for this effort. Local vets may also have information for you. Thank you for caring.

I have read all the comments submitted and the issue seems to be covered. Perhaps all the neighbors could chip in to ensure they all get spayed and neutered thus ending the cycle of stay cats. That ultimately is the only way to end the cycle. At the end you may end up with a family member that you just love. I'm sure one of them would be a great addition to your home. All they really want is someone to love them and a lap to curl up on.

dont feed them

"Abatement"?? that's an interesting way to put it . Motion sensor sprinklers work well along with pure essential citrus oil. It is illegal-a felony- in most states to harm or endanger feral,stray or free roaming cats. 2 states it's legal to shoot feral cats as scary Doug suggested but you can also get in major trouble for killing someone's animals since ferals are many times actually by law someones property/pets,if they are even feral. Check with local shelters,vets about TNR programs to help get the populations under control.

If there are farmers in the area, contact them. They are always needing "barn"cats. They feed and take care of them to alleviate the snake and mice population. No snakes or mice were harmed in this message.

You sound like a perfect person to get a much needed abatement program started. Talk to town or county animal shelters, local vet offices, City and county councils, spread the word to find likeminded people to work on this very real problem. Contact other areas that instigated a successful program. Perseverance is a must! This problem didn't develop overnight and won't end overnight. There are no shortcuts. The people who feed ferals may be the perfect starting spot as the cats need a feeding spot where they can be humanely trapped.

Trap them and take them to an animal shelter.

Here is the problem, people take kittens home because they are sweet and cute. They don't realize the commitment having a cat entails and when they decide they don't want them, they just leave them. A recent neighbor just moved away and left his cat behind. She started coming to my house and sleeping on my patio furniture. It was a cold winter and she was starving. I felt so bad for her that I fed her, made her a shelter box and here she has stayed. As everyone above has stated, a catch and release program works the best. Some vets will perform the spaying or neutering for free. I really wish people would not be so cruel and abandon pets.