A misdeed or something i should be proud off?

Sadly, if you don't have them all spayed and neutered (or at least spay the ladies if funds are tight), it's best not to feed them. It just makes the population get out of hand and encourages more cats to come from other neighborhoods.

Have you looked into spay programs? I think I heard that El Paso has some good TNR resources. Once all the females are spayed, the population should stabilize. And when all the cats are spayed and neutered, this cuts down on neighborhood clashes, because the cats won't be as much trouble. Of course, some people will always object to feeding ferals, but if the cats aren't breeding and don't cause problems there will be a lot less opposition.

Hi, and warmth welcome to the Forums!

I think also you did come to just the right place. Here are lotsa of rescuers, sympathizers, advisers....

We had quite often similiar discussions to yours.

And the answer is yes and no, both.

Yes, it is a good deed to give the hungry food. But it will be a really good deed FIRST if you do have a plan with this: ie doing, or at least planning for: TNR (Trapp, Neuter, Return), and or fostering and adopting.

You gave them "only" food over a long time. With the netto result they did become more and more.... And more litters too.
So ONLY giving them food over a long time is not so good no.

What is TNR you can for example search for here on the Forums. TNR is the trick to do!!!

There is surely some rescue group doing TNR nearby. Join them. If there isnt: try to start one.
It will also make easier for you to explain to these neigbours, AND thereby calm them down.

Compare with the old jewish proverb:

It is a good deed to give a hungry human a meal. But the really good deed is to help him her make a living. For example by teaching her to fish.
(There are some variations on it)


Tx a lot for you trying!

Good luck!

You've already gotten the answers and advice I'd give. It's wonderful of you to care! But with a large colony of intact cats, the neighbors are going to complain. It's not so healthy for the cats, either, actually. Intact males fight - and if any of them have leukemia or FIV, they're spreading it. They're also more aggressive, and are compelled to mark territory, which is something that I'm sure bothers the neighbors!

When you spay and neuter, not only do you help prevent more litters of unwanted andf homeless kittens, but you help the cats stop spreading disease; the males become less territorial, they won't fight and mark as much... all of this helps make the neighbors happier, and it's MUCH better for the cats!

Here are some resources that will help you learn more about the importance of spaying and neutering, and how to properly care for those kitties in your very large feral colony.

http://www.alleycat.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=431
http://www.bestfriends.org/nomorehom...feralindex.cfm

Alley Cat Allies and Best Friends are the only two national organizations that advocate for feral cats, and that is ALL Alley Cat Allies does.

With at least 60 cats in your colony now, you have a lot of work ahead of you if you are going to properly care for them (e.g. trap, spay & neuter them).

You can fill out this form at Alley Cat Allies to have them e-mail you a list of "Feral Friends" in your area. These are people or organization that may be able to help you with this project: http://www.alleycat.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=444

I would take a look at this website - it is a feral cat program in El Paso. I don't know them and don't know if they can help, but if they can't help, they may know who can: http://www.nevc.com/feral_cat_program.htm - scroll down the page, there's a list of participating vets. I can't figure out how to contact the Feral Cats program, but I expect you can contact one of the participating vets. The site also mentions using an approved trap, which they provide? It requires a $50 deposit, but that's not unusual. You get the deposit back when you return the trap. Of course, 60 cats is going to take a lot longer than two weeks. But it's definitely worth talking to them, and at least it's a place to start.

I know it's hard not to feed them. But look at it this way. They come because they're used to getting food from you. But if you're not going to spay or neuter them, they're going to multiply - and they are going to be strong and healthy, and able to multiply. If two turned into 60 over two years - what happens over the next two years?

Have you and your mom considered removing the kittens when they're born, fostering them and adopting them out? We work with a local foster network. When we've missed a female and kittens do turn up, they take them, foster them, and adopt them out (we live in an RV with 8 feral rescues that are special needs). You can also search petfinder to find Shelters, Rescues, and Foster Networks: http://www.petfinder.com.

You can also search Pets911 to see if there are any programs/shelters/foster networks/low cost or free spay/neuter clincs: http://www.pets911.com

If you stop feeding them, while they may still come around for a while looking for the food they're used to... they will begin searching elsewhere for food. And they may wind up finding food someplace where they are spaying and neutering them.

We can help with more information and resources, if you'd like to pursue trapping them. And Alley Cat Allies has great resources for helping you deal with the neighbors if you are going to pursue TNRing them (Trap/Neutering/Returning) them.

But, sadly, and I know it's not what you want to hear... but if you're not going to trap them and get them sterilized, it is best to stop feeding them.

Well, then Alley Cat Allies is a great resource for you! I know so few people care about cats, but if they understand that your feeding is part of a larger program to hep reduce the population, they may feel differently. They have great info on helping communities and neighbors understand.

You've been given a wealth of information, so all I can do is applaud the great efforts that you and your mother have exerted in helping out cats. I send prayers and vibes that you link up with like-minded people who can assist you in helping the cats. It's alot harder for the neighbors to yell at a group, than it is a single person (cowardice & cat-hating seem to go hand in hand )
Please keep us posted - I'm interested in how this all turns out and how effective that wonderful "TCS board magic" is

If you're doing TNR, then, yes, you're doing the right thing. Are the neighbors aware that the cats are fixed and vaccinated? This could go a long way in smoothing things over. But there will always be those who disagree with you. Be strong!

Yeah! I second this!