An impossible situation!

I'm not really expecting a solution - I just need to vent and express my frustration. I've tried everything to help these poor kitties.

We live in a rural area in a rented house. We're going to be moving in the next month. 6 mos. ago someone dumped a pregnant cat off on the property. (We didn't know she was pregnant at the time, she wouldn't come near us.) We found her 4 kittens eventually, hidden in some bushes. They are all fine, and we've been feeding them. We have dogs and can't keep any of the cats, though we'd love to - but one dog wouldn't tolerate them.

I contacted Alley Cat Allies (far away from us) who gave us a short list of Rescues. No one responded, except one person who twice said she'd come & try to help us trap them - but never followed through. The shelters I contacted said they would take them if we could get them there, but they didn't even have a trap to loan us. The Animal Control people don't loan traps, either - and won't come outside the city limits. These kittens - who are now quite large - will come get their food, but run from us. The mother can probably be taken to the shelter, since she is now more friendly - but I don't know what to do about the remaining four cats. They will of course breed - and here's a feral cat colony in the making. I can't believe how little can be done to prevent this.

I don't mean to be a downer, but I'm thankful to be able to tell my story. I feel terrible for the cats - and regret feeding them in a way, since now they are dependent on it. If they are to live in the farmland around this house, they'll need to hunt. It's an awful thought, with winter coming. Thank you for listening to my dilemma - it is much appreciated.

Well, I don't know how much you're willing to invest in this situation, especially as you're moving soon... but there is an option. At this point, it's probably best to simply trap-neuter-return the kitties. Perhaps get the mom into a shelter - that would have to be something you determine (if it's even an option). But socializing ferals is a special work, and most foster networks or rescues don't do it. It ties up resources that could be used on adoptable kitties.

A trap costs about $45. When you're done with it, you can donate it to a rescue org, get the receipt for the donation, and use it as a tax-deduction if that would help.

Here's a link (from another current thread) - it's a good price: http://www.amazon.com/Havahart-1079-...dp/B00004RAMT/

I don't know where you live in relation to Ocean City, but here are the results of a google search for "low cost spay/neuter Ocean City, MD" http://www.google.com/search?client=...hannel=suggest

And the Humane Society of Ocean City, where a spay is $50, a neuter $35, and rabies vac $10: http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NJ118.html

It does require an appointment, and you may not know in advance if you're bringing in a male or female. You may want to look for others, or call them and find out what your options are.

Welcome to TCS and for posting your concerns about these feral cats. My only wish is that something was done months ago for these cats since you are moving soon. I am glad you are telling your story, but there IS a solution and I hope you can get some assistance for these poor cats who will be left to fend for themselves after you move. I am also concerned that these kittens have relied on you solely as a food source and do not have excellent hunting skills. Although, this does come naturally, it just concerns me. . I would not just leave these cats there and do nothing before you move. Feral colony in the making and someone has to step in and stop the breeding and the suffering that will inevitably be. . Please do what you can to remove these cats to a barn situation or get some assistance directly from a TNR group in your area. Not a shelter, a TNR organization. Don't give up, keep calling and insisting on some help with this. Most of these organizations will loan you a trap and help you get started. I am sorry for your predicament, but I wouldn't have waited until one month before I was moving to make a plan. You still have time and I pray for these little kittens

Have you already contacted Alley Cat Rescue? They're based in MD: http://www.saveacat.org/index.html

Thank you for responding, & for the suggestions. I'll consider everything you said.

Yes, I did contact Alley Cat Allies. They were wonderful, and gave me a list of cat rescues. There were only 3 in the area, and only one person returned my calls. The problem with TNR for us is - we don't own the property where the cats are. Knowing the owners, I doubt they would go along with that - which is why I had wanted to take them to the no-kill shelter near us. I will see if we can trap them ourselves, but I'm partially disabled & not sure I can pull it off.

It wasn't my intention to leave it until a month before moving. All summer I tried to get help, and even had one rescue person promise - twice - to come out and help trap. Waiting for her, I lost precious time. I wish I hadn't assumed she'd follow through.

This is a great site - hope to be back one day with some positive news. I grew up with cats, and love them dearly.

Originally Posted by dreamon

It wasn't my intention to leave it until a month before moving. All summer I tried to get help, and even had one rescue person promise - twice - to come out and help trap. Waiting for her, I lost precious time. I wish I hadn't assumed she'd follow through.

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then to you!!!! I do understand that this can be an impossible situation and it sounds as though you won't give up . Wishing you the very, very best and have finger's crossed that SOMEONE steps up from one of these organizations to assist these kitties. Thank you for caring and loving cats the way you do

No, not Alley Cat Allies (ACA), you already mentioned you contacted them. I was suggesting Alley Cat Rescue (ACR). ACR is also based in MD. I don't know that they can help, but when contacting them do mention you're partially disabled. Maybe they can refer you to someone who can help.

The other thing to do is just call around to local vets within a 20 - 30 mile radius. Talk to the receptionist - let them know you're looking for people that help with cat situations. You're not looking for fosters or rescue, just help with trapping. You never know where that might lead. All the vets around here know who the "cat people" are and would at least contact them to give them your number (and we'd be on that list LOL). (Don't expect them to give you anyone's name or number, be prepared to leave yours, and ask if they wouldn't mind being in touch with them on your behalf. )

Thank you for doing what you can to help these kitties!

Alley Cat Rescue - ok, got it. Thanks. A very good idea about calling the vets, too. I felt that I'd hit a brick wall when I called the shelters - especially the Humane Society not far from here. Who knew they'd offer no suggestions at all, except to say - bring them in. Our move is postponed for a bit, so maybe I have time to get some help.

Feralvr - I was thinking of your signature, "If you feed, don't let 'em breed" today when I was in Walmart. In the pet aisle my husband & I helped a woman put cases of cat food in her cart. She told us she bought more food for her 'outside cats' than she did for herself. She is moving in a few mos. & she didn't know what would happen to them. She said she's been feeding cats on her farm for 30 years! It occurred to me that many people think they're being kind - & our instincts tell us to help by feeding - but without taking care of the breeding issue, it just makes the whole thing worse. I imagine there are hundreds of cats all over this farmland. I've never lived in the country before, & didn't realize what a dilemma it is.

So - armed with the help you've given me, I'll try again to find a resolution. I wish I'd thought to come here earlier. Thanks so much.

I'm guessing local vets will be your best bet. Our "long distance" rescue work started with a newspaper article we read about a cat that some town completely villified. A number of us wrote to the author, who said - well, what DO we do then? I looked up the zip code, called a vet, and explained - I'm looking for the crazy cat people who might be able to help with this situation. Someone came to mind IMMEDIATELY. We've found that to be the case on several other "long distance" rescue situations.

Especially in rural areas, the vets tend to know who might lend a helping hand.

Originally Posted by LDG

I looked up the zip code, called a vet, and explained - I'm looking for the crazy cat people who might be able to help with this situation. Someone came to mind IMMEDIATELY

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YEP works every time, you have to find the big-hearted crazy cat people . Great suggestion and one that might just work in thus situation

Originally Posted by dreamon

Feralvr - I was thinking of your signature, "If you feed, don't let 'em breed" today when I was in Walmart. In the pet aisle my husband & I helped a woman put cases of cat food in her cart. She told us she bought more food for her 'outside cats' than she did for herself. She is moving in a few mos. & she didn't know what would happen to them. She said she's been feeding cats on her farm for 30 years! It occurred to me that many people think they're being kind - & our instincts tell us to help by feeding - but without taking care of the breeding issue, it just makes the whole thing worse. I imagine there are hundreds of cats all over this farmland. I've never lived in the country before, & didn't realize what a dilemma it is.

So - armed with the help you've given me, I'll try again to find a resolution. I wish I'd thought to come here earlier. Thanks so much.

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But you are here now and that is what counts!! It is a big problem, people who just feed the ferals without sterilizing them. Then the problem just multiplies and multiplies, literally. It is best not to feed at all than to feed and let them breed IMO. But most people don't see it that way and they think they are helping these cats when they are really just supporting the ferals efforts to breed and stick around a reliable food. And that feeder is responsible for many more feral kittens being born into a life of certain pain and suffering and adding to the already huge over-populated feral dilemma. . Oh my heart aches for all of them .