One of my TNR's has returned

About 3 years ago, with the help of a local rescue, I trapped 4 kittens and 2 adults. Three of the 4 kittens were adopted, the other was released along with an adult orange female. The male was an abandoned cat and in bad shape. He was adopted and is now living the life of a king.

I haven't seen the 2 that were released in about 2 1/2 years and thought the worst. But earlier this week when I got home from work and walked into the kitchen, I saw a shadow on my deck stairs. I was so surprised to see the orange girl sitting there looking at me. I put a bowl of food out for her and she came and ate. She looked great, nice and healthy and well fed. Here are a few pictures of her. The quality is lousy because I took the pics thru the nose-printed glass.








And here are some pics of Thomas, formally known as Trouble, in his new home. He was left behind when his family moved, unaltered and constantly fighting with other males. I would come out to blood on my deck. I finally couldn't take it anymore, this was a cat that wanted to be around people and even allowed me to give him a bath. His face and eyes would be covered in ticks during the summer and at one point his skin was literally hanging off of him after one of his fights.

I contacted the rescue who helped me with the TNR and asked them if they could take him. I would have but had 2 of my own cats and 1 foster cat that did NOT like him. A great lady from the rescue fostered him for a while and cleaned him up. Then a woman fostered him with the option to adopt and he's been with her ever since. He is FIV+ but I know with the love he is getting he will live a long time. His new mom sends me pictures and updates from time to time. I couldn't be happier.

Lisa, what a great story! I'm amazed that the orange girl came back after such a long time. If only she could tell you where she's been...

She looks great - certainly doesn't seem she's been missing too many meals (LOL) unless she's "all hair".

Two of my ferals, brothers, disappeared after years at the same location. Nine months later, we "found" each other in a wooded area (just blocks from their original home) where I was feeding two other ferals. I never thought I'd see them again. It was Christmastime - and it was the best gift to know they were alive. They still remembered me, too!

2 1/2 years is incredible. I wonder if she'll now come back to you on a regular basis. Do you have a shelter for her?

Thanks for posting the pictures of Thomas - what a handsome boy. He looks like a show cat! Lucky kitty - talk about rags to riches!

Please keep us posted about your orange girl. Thanks for the difference you've made in the lives of these beautiful cats.

aww that must have brought a warm feeling to see her again she looks really well and totally fluffy awww........how nice !!
Great story about Thomas, he´s a handsome boy
and all with your hard work and dedication

She really does look healthy!! I had a neutered feral wander off for about 18 months one time and was surprised when he returned.

I hope she hangs around this time, but I wouldn't be surprised if she is getting really good kibble someplace else and wanders off again.

People who do this kind of work for kitties are angels of Mercy.
Bravo

They are beautiful cats.

Wow....by the way...THANK YOU for caring and providing both these cats the medical care they needed. I've heard other caretakers who have had TNRed cats come back after disappearing.

Katie

KTLynn - what a wonderful xmas gift for you.

Frieda, the woman who walks my dogs during the day while I'm at work, left me a note on Thursday asking about a b&w cat that was hanging around. It was so weird that she left that note because on Wednesday when I got home this cat was sitting against my sliding glass door. I guess the word got out that I was one of those "crazy cat ladies". I had never seem him before and I thought it was so strange that within a couple of days the orange girl had returned and now this newcomer. Anyway, Frieda left a note asking about him and I gave her a call. She has seen the b&w hanging around for the past couple of months and had seen the orange girl around the area too. The b&w is definitely not a feral and must belong to someone as he let me pat him, but from the feel of his fur he is definitely an outdoor cat. His fur felt rough and his paws were dirty.

Here's the b&w girl/boy...



I don't have a shelter for them because I live in a townhouse complex. I do know that some like to stay under the decks which does protect them from the elements but not the cold. There is some wildlife around the area as I found out when doing the TNR. One night I flipped on the light because I thought what was a cat at the food bowl and was very surprised to see an opposum. Then I received a huge surprise when I checked on one of the traps and saw the biggest "cat"...



He took up the entire cage. I guess those sardines in oil were just too much to resist. Up until that moment I had never seen a racoon (or an opposum) and didn't realize they lived in this area. When I first moved in almost 6 years ago I did see a fox but haven't seen one since. There are some woods around the complex but I'm in a residential/commercial area and you just don't think of wildlife being around here.

Since the TNR the cat population has all but disappeared. We never did catch the mom of the kittens, she was just too skittish. If she is still alive she hasn't come around since the trapping of her kittens. The one kitten that was released was a carbon copy of her mom in looks and temperament, also very afraid of people.

The below pics were taken 3 years ago. They were an absolutely gorgeous litter. I have a feeling that Thomas may be the father, or one of the fathers, of the kittens. He would let the kittens eat out of the food bowl and just sit next to them waiting his turn. Here's a pic of the 1 kitten that was released...





Here are the other 3 kittens that were trapped and adopted. You'll noticed that one of them looks exactly like the orange girl that returned. I believe they are related.

The shelter named all the kittens. This boy was named Mango. He was so friendly for a feral and would lay on his back for a belly rub. These pics were taken in my home while waiting for their vet appointments.





Here is Tango, who looks exactly like his "Aunt". He was also very friendly.



And this gorgeous girl was named Miss Marble. She was afraid of people at first but started to relax. She was adopted by one of the rescue volunteers.

What wonderful stories!! It's such a great feeling to see a TNR return isnt it? I cant believe 2 & 1/2 years though wow that is incredible.

Lisa, thanks for posting these great pictures! Those are some beautiful cats and kittens! What a shame about the one kitten who didn't get adopted - was she unable to be socialized? Did she ever come back after initially being released?

Since you can pet the new B & W boy, see if you can get a peek under his tail to determine if he's been neutered. I get the feeling from your description and his picture that this poor little guy has been abandoned. If he isn't neutered, at least it will be easier to get him to the vet since he's not feral.

Is there any way you can tuck small shelters *under* the deck? Even small, cheap styrofoam coolers with a 5" - 6" hole cut in the side for an entrance, and thickly lined with hay or straw would go a long way toward helping these outside kitties get through bitter cold days.

Thanks again for all you've done and continue to do to help these sweeties!

Originally Posted by KTLynn

Lisa, thanks for posting these great pictures! Those are some beautiful cats and kittens! What a shame about the one kitten who didn't get adopted - was she unable to be socialized? Did she ever come back after initially being released?!

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The rescue would only take the kittens they felt were adoptable. The ferals that were too afraid of people were released. I only saw her a couple more times then never again. I'm hoping she found her mom when released and is ok. That winter was the coldest winter since I have been here, below zero many nights.

Originally Posted by KTLynn

Since you can pet the new B & W boy, see if you can get a peek under his tail to determine if he's been neutered. I get the feeling from your description and his picture that this poor little guy has been abandoned. If he isn't neutered, at least it will be easier to get him to the vet since he's not feral.

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Well he let me pat him on the head but he was still somewhat skittish, so I don't think he'll let me take a peek. I haven't seen him since that day so perhaps he was just extremely hungry. He was obviously well fed, not skinny like other ferals I've seen. Frieda thinks he may belong to someone in the building across from me since she sees him there a lot. Many people around here let their cats run around loose without having a collar on them. I know collars can be dangerous, but there are ones that can break-away if they snag themself on something.

Originally Posted by KTLynn

Is there any way you can tuck small shelters *under* the deck? Even small, cheap styrofoam coolers with a 5" - 6" hole cut in the side for an entrance, and thickly lined with hay or straw would go a long way toward helping these outside kitties get through bitter cold days.

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Most decks are too close to the ground for a person to get under, which is why they like it under there. I can get under my deck though and could put a crate under there, but they tend not to go under my deck for just this reason. It's too open and easily accessible.

Thanks for sharing these wonderful stories and pics! What GORGEOUS cats!

It makes me feel so great - you must have been jumping for joy - especially since the orange girl looks so healthy and is doing so well.

Laurie