Big red tabby making his presence known

For a couple of weeks now, I and the people renting my cottage have caught glimpses of a large ginger cat in the fields and around the house. He has gradually got more bold, and today I found him sitting with Wellington, Bonaparte and Ellie (they are the three who go out) on the bank behind the house. They were all just looking at each other. Later, he jumped on the wall near where I was gardening and was happy to sniff my fingers then my hand. Then he began to purr and let me touch him on the chin and scritch his ears. He is a handsome fellow with an enormous head and a little white on his face and chest. He is also very well endowed at the rear end, if you get my meaning, which concerns me greatly, because I have also caught sight of a tortoise-shell in the barn recently! And I cannot take in any more cats - I am way past my limit.

He is not feral, and I do not know if he is a stray or just a tom from one of the farms in search of a female. That is more likely, but I am not going to ask, because then they will know it is me interfering. I am going to try and catch him, which I think will not be difficult, and get him neutered, then just watch him to make sure he does have a home. If not, he can be a barn cat. I am still watching for the female - she is much more elusive.

Good thing you have a barn!

Good luck trapping him. This is really a wonderful thing you're doing.

Good luck with Elusive!

You are going to keep us posted - right?

Laurie

I've always thought that if they're in the garden when my feral colony lives, then I have to take some responsibility for them.

Yeah, get him neutered, no more unwanted kittens!

I've neutered three cats that came into the garden. Two turned out to have families, but I never received any complaints. One is now a part of the colony.

I didn't see him today, but the female came down to the yard. She is very nervous though and I think would be hard to trap. I left some food out last night and tonight, but of course I will not know who eats it. After a few nights I will leave a trap out and see what happens. I am a firm believer in the 'if you feed a cat, you are responsible for it' school of thought , which is exactly what I don't want, of course. But I would like to stop any kittens being born here.

Good luck and thanks for being willing to take care of them!!! I am such a huge ginger boy fan Hopefully you can snap a pic of him someday!

Awww, the male sounds like a sweetie. Bless you for caring about both cats. I hope you're able to trap the female and get both of them fixed. You're doing a wonderful thing for them!

Any updates on the big tom and on catching "Elusive".....
Sending prayers and vibes that your efforts pay off soon

I haven't seen the orange cat for a week, and I fear that he may have moved on. The female is around, and I am feeding her each night (I think) prior to putting a trap out. But she already looks a little plump, so I am worried that it may not be my food that is fattening her up! I may be too late. But if I can catch her in time I will have her spayed anyway. She is very timid.

Let's hope it's the food. And if not.... let's hope you're able to trap her in time. (Maybe the big red tom already did his work).



Laurie

They have both vanished now - I hope they are all right. I will just have to keep a watch and next time I won't hesitate to catch the male immediately - there were times when I could easily have picked him up, but I was busy in the garden and I didn't have a carrier handy. A lesson learnt.

Originally Posted by jennyranson

They have both vanished now - I hope they are all right. I will just have to keep a watch and next time I won't hesitate to catch the male immediately - there were times when I could easily have picked him up, but I was busy in the garden and I didn't have a carrier handy. A lesson learnt.

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I think the female will come back if she is pregnant. Cats never forget easy food suppliers. Hopefully their sudden disappearance does not mean something has happened to her or the tom.

I hope so too. I am still putting food out, and somone is eating it, but it could be a badger or fox or anything. I have not seen the cats. I will try the trap in a day or two and see what happens.

Yeah - we fed lots of possums and raccoons.

they come back soon!

Laurie