A third cat (not mine) found poisoned

abymummy

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Thank goodness your Mayor is a good man...I doubt very much that you will find the answers to this very strange situation (unless you want to turn into a cat detective) but at least something is being done! Have you heard of any other animal besides cats being poisoned?
 

tavia'smom

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Good vibes coming your way that your kitties get better from their UTIs and that you find your barn kitties and maybe they are just sleeping more. Sorry about the poisons
 
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jennyr

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Since I posted I have spoken with the guy who cuts grass and does odd jobs around here - he doesn't actually live in the village. He found another dead cat in a garden he was weeding here last week - the house is for sale and he is keeping it tidy for the owners. He of course didn't know about the others. So that makes four that we know about.
 

xocats

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By speaking to the Mayor and other residents, you have triggered an alarm that a serious problem might exist, that could affect the safety of all animals in their area.
Hopefully this mystery will be solved so that a solution can be found.

My thoughts go out to the barn cats.
Please be OK sweeties.
 

rapunzel47

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Oh, Jenny, not another!

I'm glad you have the mayor on your side, and the word is getting around. I do hope this means that at some point it will reach someone who will have an "aha!" moment and give you the missing piece of the puzzle.

Lots of vibes for everyone, furred and unfurred, and I hope the barn cats turn out to be OK, too -- though, I agree, it's not looking good for them.

Jenny
 
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jennyr

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I have become absolutely paranoid about mine getting out - I go round checking and rechecking door and window locks like an obsessive. This house is not designed to keep them in - there is nowhere (except a bedroom or bathroom) where I could ensure that they are two doors away from the outside, and then there are windows over flat roofs. I have six sets of French doors and various workmen have keys to all of them. Now each time I go out I do shut them in one room and lock it, then I fantasise about a fire! It is my worst nightmare come true. And this was meant to be their paradise.
 

2dogmom

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I am very sorry to hear about this. I know it is morbid, but might it be possible to have a medical professional try to determine the cause of death?
 

abymummy

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I think that's agreat idea 2dogmom - can you ask someone (maybe the mayor's dept) to fund a necropsy? At least the you know what you're up against!
 

fwan

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Jenny that is horrible!

I had cruel teenagers that killed 12 of my cats in one night by putting out some sort of poison. THey were threatening me by calling me every night and telling me they would kill my cats, after that night they never called again!

Jenny i am sure that it is paradise, but you just happened to come at the wrong moment.
I hope this all gets sorted out soon
 
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jennyr

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I also wondered about doing a necropsy, but I think it is too late for the ones we have found - they are all at least two weeks dead. There was no point at the time for Napoleon as the vet was convinced he had taken rat poison, and looking it up, he did have all the symptoms. Even if we know it is rat poison, the question becomes how is it being delivered to so many cats at the same time? Feral cats in particular do not normally eat dead animals or the stomachs of those they catch - their mothers teach them not to, which lessens the chance of poison being ingested. I think if we find another one, which I sincerely hope we do not, I will get a necropsy done regardless. As you say, at least then we would be sure.
 

jcat

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Originally Posted by jennyranson

I have become absolutely paranoid about mine getting out - I go round checking and rechecking door and window locks like an obsessive. This house is not designed to keep them in - there is nowhere (except a bedroom or bathroom) where I could ensure that they are two doors away from the outside, and then there are windows over flat roofs. I have six sets of French doors and various workmen have keys to all of them. Now each time I go out I do shut them in one room and lock it, then I fantasise about a fire! It is my worst nightmare come true. And this was meant to be their paradise.
Could you build a screened-in porch/veranda for them, accessible through a door or window? A solid floor of slate or stone tile, or even "pond foil" (hubby's suggestion) would keep even small mice out, and you could have a wooden frame with screens. There's a U.S. product called "Pet Screen" which is really tough, and very finely meshed. It's available in Germany now as "meter goods" (we have it in several windows), so it might also be available in France. If not, I could find some online suppliers here, or there may be some in the U.K.. Or perhaps you could get a U.S.-based TCS member to buy it at a DIY store, and ship it to you.
 
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jennyr

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I have established that the fourth cat, found by the gardener, is 95% sure to be one of the barn kittens. It was the right colour and age. So at least we know that they have also been taken by whatever it is.

I am looking at ways to keep mine safe. But having to lock them up, even in an enclosure, goes against everything I came here for. Of course I will do anything to protect them, but this has to be short term. I decided last night that if we cannot find the source of this horror and stop it, I will move. Maybe not this year or even next, but I cannot stay for the rest of my life somewhere that is not safe. I will finish doing up the house and sell it, giving myself more time to research thoroughly for somewhere that will be safer.
 

mooficat

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Oh heck I am sorry, and after reading your other posts it sounded like you were tracking the problem down
So good luck with your continued investigation ! !!
It will be shame if this makes you move, but I would also agree with you and could not remain in a place that - well - sorry to say - you dont know what you will be facing each day.

Heres sending lots & lots of positive {{{{{vibes}}}}} whizzing across to France for a speedy resolution and big hugs to keep you strong
 

rosiemac

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Originally Posted by jennyranson

It is my worst nightmare come true. And this was meant to be their paradise.
Jenny theres an obsticle been put in your way with whats been happening but you will get through it and it will be paradise, because after all this things can only get better
You've put a lot of time and effort into getting this place done up so please don't think about selling up just yet because so much has happend that your heads everywhere at the moment


That's so sad about the kitten that's been found, and it sounds like it is the barn kittens doesn't it
 

sar

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Jenny, although this has been a terrible start to your new life in France, I truely hope that things will resolve and allow you all to regain your paradise!


As difficult as it may be, you need to take each and every day as it comes
 

gailc

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I have been thinking about this and this might be a pain to do but I would create a map starting with your house-mark the places the cats were found then expand the map to where the other cats where found. You most likely knew Napolean's range and that could guide you on trying to pinpoint the location of where this started. It might be alot of work but you should be able to get some results from this.
 
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jennyr

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Gail, funnily enough I was talking about this only today with my friend, and all the cats so far have been found in a big semi circle that centres on my neighbour's house - the one who admits to putting down poison in the first place. I am wondering if he put down a lot more than he admits to, and put it in the garden instead of only in the attic as he said. I saw him today and he said he has not put any more down. My daughter is coming this weekend and she is bringing some organic raticide that does not harm other animals or birds. So we are going to try that and see if it works and if it does then maybe we can get everyone to switch to that, before deciding what to do about the cats. But I have no idea how I would let them out - I would never forgive myself if something else happened.
 
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