Don't worry too much about feral cats attacking you.  They're terrified of you, and will only bite or scratch if provoked.  The greater threat is disease.  If you're handling the cats, wash extremely well before handling your own cats.  It may sound like overkill, but you may even want to change your clothes.  Cats can sneeze on your clothing and disease can be transferred that way.  For instance, FeLV can be transmitted by saliva and transferred to other cats.  Remember, too, that it's not just your pets at risk -- some diseases can be passed from animals to humans.

• Territory Issues. Most ferals won't even allow themselves to be touched, much less settle into your home as a house cat.  If you try to take one in, remember that the cat is used to having total freedom.  His territory may have extended for a couple of blocks.  Now he's limited to half an apartment.  This can make for some nasty fights with other cats present.  Generally, introducing a feral cat to your own home cat population is a bad idea.

• Bites and Scratches. In making contact, let the cat set the pace or you may get scratched or bitten.  Wear padded gloves and long sleeves as a precaution.  Feral cats can inflict some serious damage.  If a cat bite breaks the skin, wash it well and go immediately to a doctor.  Cats' nails and teeth harbor bacteria and the risk of infection is very high.  If you get scratched, wash out the wound and keep an eye out for infection and fever.

• Rabies. Rabies, although feared, is relatively rare among humans.  Still, you might want to get a pre-exposure vaccination, and have all ferals vaccinated.  Any cat who bites a human must be quarantined and examined.  Infected cat scratches can cause lymph node enlargement, fever, fatigue, sore throat and headaches.  If you're scratched, immediately wash the wound.  Contact your doctor if any symptoms occur.

• Chlamydiosis. Felines who have this upper respiratory infection can pass it to humans in the form of conjunctivitis (pinkeye).  Don't touch your eyes after contact with feral cats.

• Fleas and Ticks. Feral cats may carry ticks infected with Lyme disease, which could transfer to humans and other animals.  Check your whole body carefully after spending time in a feral cat area, especially if tall grass is present.  If you find a tick, send it to a testing center to determine if it's a carrier.  You may want to spray the area for fleas and other pests.

• Ringworm. Ringworm is actually a fungus and can be transferred to both humans and other animals.  It makes cat fur fall out in a circular area, and the skin underneath will look red.  Wearing gloves will protect you.

• Internal Parasites. Many internal parasites live in cat feces.  Toxoplasma dondii is a particularly nasty one that can be passed on to humans.  In pregnant women it can lead to abortion or fetal abnormalities.  If you're pregnant, have someone else clean the litter box and wear gloves when handling feral cats.  Everyone should wear gloves and wash their hands well after cleaning litter boxes.