Can my apartment manager ban legal feral feeding on the complex ?

I'm in quite a funk over this. Yesterday the property manager stopped me in the office to tell me that I need to stop feeding even the relatively few stray and ferals that we do claim. Naturally I don't want to give up my caretaker role or involvement in a TNR program, their life is hard enough as it is, but I can't risk getting evicted over it. There are six or seven regulars (all fixed) and seeing them out this morning looking up at me with accusing, yearning eyes on the porch was almost more than I could stand . All are old enough to have survived long before meeting me as well. So it is not an issue of their near-term survival. Thank God they will have enough time to bulk up naturally before winter.

And I am sincerely apologetic for disturbing, or to causing any nuisances to the other tenants by keeping them around these past few years.. I honestly wasn't conscious of the apparently accumulating neighborly resentments until served notice.


On the other hand, there is no city-wide feeding ban on the cats. And here wasn't any problem until recently when apparently one or more of the residents apparently began to complain about the behavior. Or maybe it started when I didn't follow his "suggestion" of a standing bird feeder verses leaving seeds in pans on the ground. The manager is trying to appease the complaining tenants. They need to become familiar with the current laws.


The only damage and trouble around the area the cats were said to be causing revolved around "territorial disputes" with cats following or pestering residents' dogs. Hard to believe since they true ferals of course don't come around open areas in daylight ?? I wasn't given any other reasons.


If people would only be more understanding and compassionate...

The cold-hearted will never appreciate what I was trying to do for the little guys.

Trying my best to give them a nice warm place to sleep and an ok life. - theirs is hard enough as it is.

Hopefully they won't starve but will just find a different, more compassionate place that feeds and shelters them.

Depends on local laws (both for rentals and animal control), here it is against the law to feed ferals, does it stop any of us? No and Animal Control are very aware of the city's colonies and the fact that the private shelters even help their caretakers with food and speuters etc when needed.

Basically, they need to be on public land, if they come onto private property (such as my apartment complex) the rental manager can call animal control to have them removed and has a say over whether food is out on their property.

I am lucky, we have a city owned field right beside us with electricity towers so nothing will ever be built there, I feed the ferals there and so thats where they come and typically stay - but I can imagine my landlord would be 'not very nice' about me feeding them on his property - they can be a nuisance and someone will always complain about stray cats

My ferals do come out in daylight, not all of them, but if a rabbit is in that field and all of them will be there within seconds, while they sleep during the day, if there is a food source or something makes them nervous (like today where they are fixing the road and they are using a jackhammer) they are up and about.

But I would make it very clear that once in a territory they rarely move on (apartments are a foodsource just from garbage etc) and the possible issues that may arise from them not having a caretaker (kittens and sick cats being the most usual as well as increased fighting as the food source they are used to is diminished)

Thanks for the answer.

Our units are lined up against an "urban wildlife" strip of woods and small creek vaguely in the shape of a laying down "7" with my apartment closest to the intersection. I've never seen wildlife do anything but come out for food and scurry back across the lot into cover of trees with the exception of the semi-ferals that come out and sun themselves occasionally or on a summer day that never seems to end. lol


Only 2 or 3 newest members of the colony I haven't had a chance to TNR but was able to get to over 10 in all which is probably why the limited number has been stable enough to hold together this long. I should still be able to trap, though.... If not, maybe accidentally remember to "throw away" a batch of cat food. I'm also nearest the garbage bins.

M95, if I'm remembering correctly the correct member ( ) had a similar problem. She talked to the manager of the complex, and they gave her a few weeks to get the ferals "moved." That apartment complex was near some woods. She moved the food each day towards the woods. Now the ferals are not being fed at the apartment complex, but a clearing in the woods that she accesses from the other side of the block.

Maybe you can do something like that? Move where you're trapping and they're being fed?

Originally Posted by LDG

M95, if I'm remembering correctly the correct member (

) had a similar problem. She talked to the manager of the complex, and they gave her a few weeks to get the ferals "moved." That apartment complex was near some woods. She moved the food each day towards the woods. Now the ferals are not being fed at the apartment complex, but a clearing in the woods that she accesses from the other side of the block.

Maybe you can do something like that? Move where you're trapping and they're being fed?

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Thanks, Laurie ! Unfortunately, as a caretaker, I don't feel that I have rights now and there is no safe, undeveloped space to take them. Besides not wanting to continue feeding the ones I was having difficulty trapping...

Under NJ cruelty laws, were property management to call Animal Control or Critter Control, is there anything to prevent them coming out, trapping them, and taking them to the shelter where they will be euthanized ?

Can you contact a local TNR group and explain your situation??? Maybe they can relocate the cats and take over their care?

Originally Posted by Lorie D.

Can you contact a local TNR group and explain your situation??? Maybe they can relocate the cats and take over their care?

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I contacted the director of the local Feral Cat Coalition and in her words: "We do not relocate cats - it is highly unsuccessful and we do not have places to put them. Their best chance of survival is staying where they are."


The only real (wildly impractical ) answer is enough stray and feral cat sanctuaries to be available on an as-needed basis where they can live out their lives in an environment that is both protected and safe.

Originally Posted by elayman

Thanks, Laurie !

Unfortunately, as a caretaker, I don't feel that I have rights now and there is no safe, undeveloped space to take them.

Besides not wanting to continue feeding the ones I was having difficulty trapping...

Under NJ cruelty laws, were property management to call Animal Control or Critter Control, is there anything to prevent them coming out, trapping them, and taking them to the shelter where they will be euthanized ?

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I'm not sure the cruelty law applies here. NJ, thankfully, for now, has a neutral policy towards TNR and recognizes that efforts to care for strays and ferals does not make them "owned" cats so does not subject you to abandonment laws.

Animal control, unless where you live is much better funded than just about anywhere else in NJ will do nothing. Animal Control policies vary HUGELY between townships. A report written for the former governor in 2004 supported TNR in animal control efforts, and a number of towns began supporting TNR laws. I don't know about southern NJ, but Atlantic City has a very successful program with Alley Cat Allies, and animal control in the very controversial coastal location of Cape May is another success story. A number of townships up here support TNR efforts - the most recent is just a few miles from us and budgeted $20,000 for a local group.

All of that said, there is nothing preventing someone who doesn't like cats from trapping them and removing them to kill shelters. There are a few townships (East Brunswick being one of them) where animal control is rabidly (no pun intended) anti-"free ranging" cat, and DOES actively trap ferals. Of course, the animal control officer owns the property on which the shelter the township contracts with to euthanize the animals, and his wife's family owns the shelter that does this.

But back to TNR efforts, to my knowledge, none of them (townships that support TNR as a policy or with funding) participate in relocations.

I'm sorry, I thought you described the building(s) as being near a strip of woods. I was hoping feeding them (and subsequently trapping) in that area was feasible.

Originally Posted by LDG

I'm sorry, I thought you described the building(s) as being near a strip of woods. I was hoping feeding them (and subsequently trapping) in that area was feasible.

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It is and I asked that as a compromise as well. Since it was also turned down I'm assuming they also own the little grove area that backs up to a laundromat.

Anyway, what positive there is out of this, 7 of the 10 or so kitties were gone within 24 hours of food being withdrawn and only 2 kept at it for 5 days. I'm hope I'm not too optimistic in assuming from that they have somewhere else to go besides mice, insects and lizards.

Originally Posted by LDG

I'm not sure the cruelty law applies here. NJ, thankfully, for now, has a neutral policy towards TNR and recognizes that efforts to care for strays and ferals does not make them "owned" cats so does not subject you to abandonment laws.

Animal control, unless where you live is much better funded than just about anywhere else in NJ will do nothing. Animal Control policies vary HUGELY between townships. A report written for the former governor in 2004 supported TNR in animal control efforts, and a number of towns began supporting TNR laws. I don't know about southern NJ, but Atlantic City has a very successful program with Alley Cat Allies, and animal control in the very controversial coastal location of Cape May is another success story. A number of townships up here support TNR efforts - the most recent is just a few miles from us and budgeted $20,000 for a local group.

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There has also been a city-sanctioned TNR program here since Fall of 2009. It is monitored by the Feral Cat Coalition, although I'm not sure of the funding status or record of success. To my knowledge, they only work with the Humane Society to relocate feral cats that are living in neglectful conditions (an abandoned home etc).

And removal efforts may be handled primarily by a private "pest control" company, Critter Control. At least that is who our management threatened to bring out...

Originally Posted by LDG

I'm not sure the cruelty law applies here. NJ, thankfully, for now, has a neutral policy towards TNR and recognizes that efforts to care for strays and ferals does not make them "owned" cats so does not subject you to abandonment laws.

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Oh, I see. So basically despite whatever protections exist at the state level against the "cruel or unnecessary" killing of a cat, companion or feral, as long as they are 'humanely executed' by whatever agency there doesn't have to be a big justification, or really any reason at all.

Originally Posted by elayman

Oh, I see. So basically despite whatever protections exist at the state level against the "cruel or unnecessary" killing of a cat, companion or feral, as long as they are 'humanely executed' by whatever agency there doesn't have to be a big justification, or really any reason at all.

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Pretty much sums it up.

Well, it has been almost a month...and there is still one guy (actually a gorgeous, or once-gorgeous, half Siamese semi-feral ) that is still hanging around to meow at my patio in the morning. Today more desperately than in the past. He definitely looks gaunt, tail, legs, sides and head especially a bit scraggly, although not sickly and still able to run if I get within 6 inches or so. These decisions are so very difficult and stressful I'm just trying not to torture myself - It does breaks my heart not to be able to do anything, though.

The idea of retrapping for the third or fourth time, just to get the poor boy inside and straightened up, has crossed my mind. Unfortunately for whatever reason that also seems out of the question as good and hungry as he is, doesn't even so much as sniff around at either the dry or wet food (I will try baiting it with tuna...). And the first two events weren't even such a big deal to go into the trap and go to the vet and then come back and get fed because he had already gotten fixed under prior ownership.

Placing food at the edge of the door so they don't have to enter and move further into a narrow, confined space is a great idea...I just can't risk the apartment, owners wrath and possibly even bodily harm to prevent the animal from starving.

Any other brilliant suggestions ???

Are you going to adopt this boy? If so, I'd just talk to the apartment owner rep and tell them you're going to be putting out a trap to REMOVE a cat from the property.

Then I'd wash the trap (get rid of all fear and other cat scent from it), spray it with lots of feliway... pour potting soil over the bottom (you can sweep it up after you get back) so kitty doesn't have to walk on wires - maybe sprinkle a little catnip towards the center, and use KFC, skin and bones removed as the food lure. Whatever the environment is around there - either cover the trap with some sticks and leaves, or drape it with a box you cut or something to "disguise" it ... and spray the outside with some Feliway too.

elayman, I don't know how on earth you are dealing with this. I just found this thread, and as a feral cat caretaker myself, I am so upset about your situation I could cry.

Don't assume that the wooded area is owned by the apartment complex. I honestly would not have even thought to ask management about that, but would have simply started moving my colony into the woods. The people you're dealing with have no heart - I would not put it past them to tell you they own the wooded area even if they don't.

If I were in your shoes, I would still move the colony into the woods and feed them there. You obviously can't feed during daylight hours, but you could do it after dark. It would be a little more challenging for you, but it can be done. The cats would get used to having an evening meal instead of a daytime one.

In your part of the country, winter is harsh. Did you provide shelter for the cats? I would find places in the woods, especially under evergreens, where I could tuck in shelters.

As far as the little guy who is continuing to come (God, this is heartbreaking) he may simply be too trapwise to go near the trap, hungry as he is. Try using a drop trap. They can be difficult to locate - start calling rescue groups to see if they can lend one.

Please consider continuing to care for the cats in the woods, at night, when darkness will be to your advantage.

Drop traps you can make yourself: http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...ight=drop+trap

Originally Posted by LDG

Are you going to adopt this boy? If so, I'd just talk to the apartment owner rep and tell them you're going to be putting out a trap to REMOVE a cat from the property.

Then I'd wash the trap (get rid of all fear and other cat scent from it), spray it with lots of feliway... pour potting soil over the bottom (you can sweep it up after you get back) so kitty doesn't have to walk on wires - maybe sprinkle a little catnip towards the center, and use KFC, skin and bones removed as the food lure. Whatever the environment is around there - either cover the trap with some sticks and leaves, or drape it with a box you cut or something to "disguise" it ... and spray the outside with some Feliway too.

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It's an impossible, almost unthinkable decision ; but not being in any kind of position resource-wise to adopt I may be forced to have him put down over starve, die of disease, be killed by traffic or by a larger predator/stray dog etc.

A drop trap was also ordered through Alley Cat Allies. Thanks for the links ! (And hopefully this ordeal will be over before the shipment is ever placed). I've heard too that kfc bbq chicken works like a charm. They don't have a kitty breakfast menu, though, unfortunately, and this needs to be done between 6-7 am. Is there a solution that locks in lots of flavor and moisture ? Or is that nuking them in the microwave ? I bought fresh McDonald's Chicken McNuggets this morning - the sneaky guy was just gone by the time they arrived. He is still fairly skittish and will not allow anyone close enough to him to touch, but I noticed today that I am gradually being allowed closer as deprivation sets in. The defenses may be gradually giving way - with this obviously not being the best way of feeding a starving cat, or dealing with any food deprivation issue...

Elayman, do consider going to your local courthouse and looking up who owns the wooded land. Also look to see who owns the laundry. They might be cat friendly and allow you to feed on their property.

Newt

Originally Posted by KTLynn

As far as the little guy who is continuing to come (God, this is heartbreaking) he may simply be too trapwise to go near the trap, hungry as he is. Try using a drop trap. They can be difficult to locate - start calling rescue groups to see if they can lend one.

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Please be reassured that this cat is now well provided for in a caring home, fully socialized, and eating like there is no tomorrow. He was on death's door as recently as two days ago when a neighbor miraculously spotted a lost/abandoned domesticated Siamese sniffing for food around the trap apparently too weak to do anything but follow her home.


All four of his paws had been declawed by the prior owner It's slightly beyond my means, but what else can we do ? I'll be taking the poor baby in (at least temporarily... ) this evening. Cats don't belong outdoors and a declawed cat should not be under any circumstances.

elayman, I'm very relieved that this hungry little guy is being cared for now!!! I'm a bit confused about the circumstances of his rescue. Was he actually taken in by a neighbor who then gave the cat to you?

Thank God this kitty is finally getting the care he needs. And outside with all paws declawed...he never would have lasted.

You'd mentioned in an earlier post that you'd been caring for the outside cats for years. Had you provided shelters for them as well as food?

I'm wondering what you thought about my suggestion to feed the cats in the woods at night. They're likely still around and would quickly learn to wait for you at night in the wooded area.

Please let us know how your little rescue is doing - it's got to be paradise for him to have a safe place, food and TLC.