I give up! How can I safely move my feral colony?

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jil05

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I give up! Today there was a fight outside between a feral ( I think, I wasn't home) and one of my own cats and they went over the neighbor's fence. It ended in less than a minute but her children were apparently outside and they and their mother were very frightened. I understand their fear and them getting upset. According to my sister she was screaming at the top of her lungs to move the children and that something had to be done about those cats. I have done everything I can do to protect this colony. This would be workable with any other neighbor, but she just hates them. I have written of this before and some of you advised neighborhood cats or Best Friends. What do you think they will be able to do? I have to admit I haven't contacted anyone yet. I am too depressed. I am not strong enough to fight this anymore. Long Island is an island of cat haters. When I was growing up their were cat fights all the time and no one batted an eye. I don't understand. I have tried so hard and it all seems for nothing. Does anyone have experience with moving a colony? Should I approach her first thing in the morning or do you think she will get more upset? For all I know, maybe it isn't such a big deal, but according to my sister who heard her it sure sounds like it. Please help. I will check this when I get up in the morning...Like I will be able to sleep!

Thank you,
JIL
 
prettyboy

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you probably should contact those groups. but not sure what they will do ?

however, i think you should get one of those attachments for your fence...
i am assuming you have some kind of privacy fence ? get one of the cat
proof fence attachments and attach it to the fence that borders your yard
to her yard and depending on where she is you may need to do it to
more than on part of your fence.
 
houseofcats

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Relocating a colony takes time and a lot of effort. You have to have a good safe location, you have to keep them caged for at least 2 weeks in the area you will be relocating so they get use to the smell, sounds, etc. Relocating is a last ditch effort. Have the cats been fixed? That usually helps curtail some of the fighting. Check out http://www.alleycat.org/resources.html for relocation guidelines.
 
tnr1

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Originally Posted by JIL05

I give up! Today there was a fight outside between a feral ( I think, I wasn't home) and one of my own cats and they went over the neighbor's fence. It ended in less than a minute but her children were apparently outside and they and their mother were very frightened. I understand their fear and them getting upset. According to my sister she was screaming at the top of her lungs to move the children and that something had to be done about those cats. I have done everything I can do to protect this colony. This would be workable with any other neighbor, but she just hates them. I have written of this before and some of you advised neighborhood cats or Best Friends. What do you think they will be able to do? I have to admit I haven't contacted anyone yet. I am too depressed. I am not strong enough to fight this anymore. Long Island is an island of cat haters. When I was growing up their were cat fights all the time and no one batted an eye. I don't understand. I have tried so hard and it all seems for nothing. Does anyone have experience with moving a colony? Should I approach her first thing in the morning or do you think she will get more upset? For all I know, maybe it isn't such a big deal, but according to my sister who heard her it sure sounds like it. Please help. I will check this when I get up in the morning...Like I will be able to sleep!

Thank you,
JIL
Click to expand...
JIL..I would contact them...however Best Friends can only help you remotely and Neighborhood cats will most likely give you suggestions, but may not know of any place that you could relocate the ferals to. Exactly how many cats are we talking about? And HouseofCats is right....relocation should be carefully considered since it does take time to do it properly. Another thing to consider is...if there are other people feeding or if this is a good location...there is a chance that other intact ferals will move in to take the place of the ones you relocate.

Katie
 
prettyboy

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also remember that as soon as you do move your colony a new one will
move in to fill that space. you would have to not feed any newcomers
that show up or you will be right back where you started only this time
with all new and probably UNfixed cats.

good luck !! sending many good vibes !!
 
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jil05

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Thank you all as always...I really could not do this without you

I could not sleep a wink last night, I was so worried. Today I went over there and apologized that the cats scared them. She was friendly and thanked me for coming over. So I really don't know how to take things. I am really trying very hard with all of this. I am a shy, reserved person so this is not easy for me. Both of the cats that were in the fight are neutered. I think it was just one of those things. Probably won't even happen again for a long time. I will continue to fight for these cats to the best of my ability. It's just so hard when everybody seems to think you are the neighborhood freak. I have ordered one of those floral essences to put in their drinking water. Hopefully this will help.

Once again, Thank you for everything!
JIL05
 
prettyboy

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glad it all worked out for now. that is great news !!


it definately just bought you some time.

but in my experience this will happen again.

your best course of action right now is to try to install something that
will deter your cats from going into her yard.

good luck.... i know its hard !
 
tnr1

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Originally Posted by JIL05

Thank you all as always...I really could not do this without you

I could not sleep a wink last night, I was so worried. Today I went over there and apologized that the cats scared them. She was friendly and thanked me for coming over. So I really don't know how to take things. I am really trying very hard with all of this. I am a shy, reserved person so this is not easy for me. Both of the cats that were in the fight are neutered. I think it was just one of those things. Probably won't even happen again for a long time. I will continue to fight for these cats to the best of my ability. It's just so hard when everybody seems to think you are the neighborhood freak. I have ordered one of those floral essences to put in their drinking water. Hopefully this will help.

Once again, Thank you for everything!
JIL05
Click to expand...
Jill....would it help if I got you some of these to hand out to your neighbors:

http://www.alleycat.org/pdf/wacbroch1.pdf

Just tell me how many you need.

Katie
 
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jil05

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Hi Katie,
I got the package from Alley Cat Allies with some of those pamphlets so I think I have enough. I will check and let you know. When I was speaking to the neighbor after the bird incident, I told her I would get one of the pamphlets and she told me no thanks, she knew all about TNR and didn't believe in it.

Today is the second day that my black & white neutered male feral is missing. His orange buddy seems very lost without him. Please pray that he is just out on a short trip somewhere and that he hasn't been taken away like the others a few months ago. He is the dominant male in the colony and I think they would be lost without him. It is so nice to watch them all butt heads in the morning- they really are a big family. If he has been taken...and they plan on taking more...I think I am through. I just can't handle it emotionally.
 
ldg

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I am sending prayers and vibes that your black and white male will come home! And hang in there - it seems like the neighbor doesn't want to make trouble, or she would have said something.


Do you have a large enough yard to consider making an enclosure for the ferals? They lose their freedom - but everyone wins with that suggestion.

((((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))

Laurie
 
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jil05

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Hi everyone,

The black and white feral came back a day or so ago. He was running under all of the bushes in the back and was very nervous. He would not even eat. And when I tried to approach him he ran away. Usually he lets me get about a foot away. Today he did eat with the others and I noticed that he has some scrapes? on his back. They have scabs on them and all of the fur is gone around the area. It looks very strange. I don't know whether he got in a fight or maybe scrape himself getting out of something or someone tried to harm him. I am so glad he's back! Thank you for your prayers!

While he was gone another cat tried to move in and will not leave. He's been here about 3 days. It looks to be a male, but he? is incredibly skittish and will not let anyone close... Both our black and white feral and Gimpy ( he used to limp, now he is perfectly fine, but still has the name), our red feral male are trying to chase him away but he will not leave. I have put an ad on petfinder in case it is a lost frightened cat as I would like him to leave as soon as possible. A couple of times he has gotten up to the food bowl to eat and the others have let him without too much trouble so I think he might try to stay. It's possible that this strange cat got in a fight with our black & white feral ( I really should name him, huh?
) and that's how he got hurt. OY...I did not need this...Anyway, just wanted to update that he is home!

Have a great Labor Day!
 
tnr1

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Originally Posted by JIL05

Hi everyone,

The black and white feral came back a day or so ago. He was running under all of the bushes in the back and was very nervous. He would not even eat. And when I tried to approach him he ran away. Usually he lets me get about a foot away. Today he did eat with the others and I noticed that he has some scrapes? on his back. They have scabs on them and all of the fur is gone around the area. It looks very strange. I don't know whether he got in a fight or maybe scrape himself getting out of something or someone tried to harm him. I am so glad he's back! Thank you for your prayers!

While he was gone another cat tried to move in and will not leave. He's been here about 3 days. It looks to be a male, but he? is incredibly skittish and will not let anyone close... Both our black and white feral and Gimpy ( he used to limp, now he is perfectly fine, but still has the name), our red feral male are trying to chase him away but he will not leave. I have put an ad on petfinder in case it is a lost frightened cat as I would like him to leave as soon as possible. A couple of times he has gotten up to the food bowl to eat and the others have let him without too much trouble so I think he might try to stay. It's possible that this strange cat got in a fight with our black & white feral ( I really should name him, huh?
) and that's how he got hurt. OY...I did not need this...Anyway, just wanted to update that he is home!

Have a great Labor Day!
Click to expand...
Hey Jill....it could be that the new comer sees your location as a place where he can get fed (and neutered) so he wants to stick around. He could be a lost owned cat or he could simply be a feral cat who has been looking for food. The cats in your colony will eventually work out exactly what the pecking order is...but in the meantime, perhaps you can provide an extra plate of food for this newcomer.

Katie
 
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