I am now up to 3 ferals

I live in the middle of suburbia in a nice neighborhood.  Up until July 2010, I had never seen a cat I didn't know in my yard.  In July 2010, Shadow a small 6 month old kitten showed up.  He was so feral.  He is now on the semi feral side, but still shows his feral ways from time to time.  Patches showed up in Dec 2010, but I only saw him a few times and felt confident he had a home.  Rarely saw him all winter, but then in the spring he showed up again.  At first it was sporadic, but by mid summer, he was here fairly often.  Now he is here most of the time.  He and Shadow get along great and are often found snuggling together on my deck.  I trapped Shadow and had him neutered early on.  Since I was unsure about Patches I waited.  I now know he is an intact male who I will need to trap in the spring.  For 3 days now another cat has found its way to me.  It appears to be feral as it runs when it even catches a glance at me, gets low to the ground and wild eyes.  I have seen it eating out of the feeding stations a few times and it is ravenous.  I am just beyond sad.  Where in the world are these cats coming from?  Some how they all find their way to me.   My neighbors are going to have a fit.  They could all handle just one, but when Patches showed up, he was chasing birds and hiding in the neighbors flower beds.  This didn't go over so well.  My neighbor suggested, I trap Patches and release him elsewhere so he can be someone elses problem.  I would never ever do that.  I did try calling all the shelters in the area and they are beyond capacity.  Also Patches is feral so not adoptable. 

My deck looks like a zoo.  I have 2 feeding stations, a feral villa up on a table ( so the raccoons can't get in), a heated water bowl up on a deck box ( once again so the raccoons don't wash their paws in it), and now my latest addition, a large shed/tent like structure for the cats during the winter.  My deck has an awning, but it must come down for winter.  So the shed/tent will be used to get out from the snow/rain. 

I am trying to wrap my brain around how so many cats are finding their way to me.  Is it possible that Shadow and Patches lead them here?  I am so distraught.  I also have an indoor cat and dog.  I will do my best for this new cat.  I am just so sad that it is almost winter and now another (probably not neutered) feral cat.  I love them all dearly, but I don't know how I will deal with the neighbors.

Any suggestions on how to deal with the neighbors?

Yes, Feralvr will have suggestions on how to handle the neighbors.

As to the cats finding you... in a sense the others are leading them there. The combination of food and scent-marking (the "this is a good place" cheek rubbing kind of thing) does attract other cats if they're around to find you. :heart3:

And all we can do is our best.

HI !! to you for caring for the feral cats. I have neighbor's too that have always complained about my feeding the cats. One that thinks they are killing all of the birds. I explain to them that if I did not feed and care for these feral's and get them ALL sterilized using my own money, then our neighborhood would be overrun with many more feral cats and kittens needing to hunt and catch birds. So in turn, I am saving the birds by trapping these cat's and sterilizing them and feeding them on a daily regular schedule. I also tell them that they should be thanking me for keeping the cat population down in our neighborhood and would really appreciate any and all donations to the cause. I tell them that I could leave out a donation can by my front door :lol3: Works every time to shut them up. I also tell them that since the cats, we no longer have a mouse problem in our house and I suspect neighbor's houses are mouse free now too, thanks to these cats. . Also, I tell the bird loving neighbor, that the cat's don't want to waste energy trying to catch a bird, rodents are a much more time efficient way to eat. :nod:

I also label all of my feeding stations in large black lettering: The name of the county's TNR organization and feral feeding station. Property of my address, and a huge DO NOT REMOVE. Of course, do have the support of this organization but it helps to tell the neighbor's about it as well. Then they think you really ARE special, working with the county to control the cat population. :bigthumb: Hope this helps. And just keep on doing what you are doing for the cat's. Who really cares about the neighbor's anyway. I care more about the cat's. Good luck!!!

Oh I would not wait to get Peaches fixed. Usually the cat's will keep other cat's away from their territory, but not always. If Peaches is intact, he could definitely be bringing more cat's around as I am sure he is wanting to breed and marking/spraying the territory. I would get him fixed right away. Again, thanks for caring

Great ideas for dealing with the neighbors.  They do think the ferals are killing the birds.  On occasion I have seen them both with birds, but usually I find chipmunks and voles on the deck.  Don't you just love the presents you receive!!! 

Last night the new feral came around just after dusk.  It was eating ravenously when Shadow appeared.  This is my very timid kitty.  He went nuts and pounced on this cat.  The cat jumped off the deck and ran with Shadow right behind.  So Shadow is not happy at all to have another.  So far the new cat has not been back today.  I now that hunger may win out.  I tried to have a talk with Shadow explaining that everyone needs a home with food, shelter and love.  He just looked at me and almost rolled his eyes!!! 

I don't know what type of birds they were, but if they were starlings or sparrows, you can point out that both are non-native species to the U.S., introduced at the beginning of the century. Both species are far more aggressive, and they take over the nesting sites of our native birds, preventing them from successful breeding by displacing them.

Also, if they see fewer birds, you are sorry, but it's most likely the birds relocating, not being hunted. But without your efforts at stopping the breeding of the cats.... everything Feralvr said.

LDG said:

I don't know what type of birds they were, but if they were starlings or sparrows, you can point out that both are non-native species to the U.S., introduced at the beginning of the century. Both species are far more aggressive, and they take over the nesting sites of our native birds, preventing them from successful breeding by displacing them.
Also, if they see fewer birds, you are sorry, but it's most likely the birds relocating, not being hunted. But without your efforts at stopping the breeding of the cats.... everything Feralvr said.

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Excellent Laurie I am going to add that one to my list of defense for the feral's when the neighbor's come over :bigthumb: We have TONS of little sparrows :nod:

ShadowsRescue said:

Great ideas for dealing with the neighbors.  They do think the ferals are killing the birds.  On occasion I have seen them both with birds, but usually I find chipmunks and voles on the deck.  Don't you just love the presents you receive!!! 

Last night the new feral came around just after dusk.  It was eating ravenously when Shadow appeared.  This is my very timid kitty.  He went nuts and pounced on this cat.  The cat jumped off the deck and ran with Shadow right behind.  So Shadow is not happy at all to have another.  So far the new cat has not been back today.  I now that hunger may win out.  I tried to have a talk with Shadow explaining that everyone needs a home with food, shelter and love.  He just looked at me and almost rolled his eyes!!! 

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:lol3: Actually, it is very possible that Shadow has already seen this new cat, somewhere :nod: And just acted aggressively when he saw this cat eating his dinner (how dare he ) and he chased the poor kitty away. And then walked back "blowing on his claws" and being OH SO PROUD :lol3: I would just offer a few more feeding spots, away from Shadow's spot