lost cause for people who dislike cats?

juventas

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I've been feeding some strays behind the dumpster enclosure at my apartment complex, but not for very long.  Because the dumpster enclosure is pretty exposed to everyone, you can't hide a whole lot around it, especially any shelters or traps.  So this morning as I went over to the office to pay for next month's rent, I thought I'd mention the cats casually to test the waters a bit.  I've seen people leaving dry food for the cats (not on a schedule), so I thought I might have some luck with talks of TNR.  I said to the manager "So, all those cats out there; are they strays?"  No sooner than I had finished the sentence, she launched into a huge tirade about diseased animals and wanting to shoot them with a BB gun.

Turns out, the manager had weeks of frustration in dealing the animal control of Wyandotte County (KS), who said they were not willing to trap and take away the cats because their shelter was full.  They would not even lend her any traps, as she wanted to bring them to the (kill) shelter herself, but I guess she didn't want to shell out cash for a trap herself.  She said she is contemplating reporting to the local news that animal control was negligent of their duties.

After that rant, she scared me off, and I didn't mention anything about me feeding cats.  I'm afraid that my face is known, though, in the event any of the apartment staff catches me around the dumpster.

I'm a practical guy, so I don't have the impression that I can save all the strays in the neighborhood or even all the dumpster cats.  The reason I'm concerned is there's three strays that I think could be adopted.  In particular, there's this cute skin and bones gray tabby that has been really adventurous, so much so that she will walk right up to me and meow for food.  She arches her back when I pet her while she's eating.  One time she rolled over on her back for me.  Unfortunately, her trust extends only about as far as she is eating or about to eat.  Worse with the other two cats; when I pet them as they're eating, they keep looking back at my hand like "what the heck are you doin-nomnomnom- what the- nomnomnom- HEY -nomnomnom."  These three aren't close to being caught yet, but I can see it in them.

I personally am in a difficult situation, as I live with my mother now ever since bad roofers showed up at her house trying to extort money and scared her badly.  I still keep my apartment so I have a place for myself, but I'm only there about 2 hours in the early evening 5 times a week.  My mom hates cats and can't stand me being around cats because she's allergic and thinks I bring the "allergy odor" into the house (she only develops "symptoms" when I tell her I've been messing with cats, a total psych case).  Everything I do is in secrecy, as I'm surrounded by cat-haters.  Even if the cats were catchable, it's not like I can keep them inside my tiny studio apartment when I'm only there 2 hours out of a day, and at the moment I can't afford the $150 pet deposit and monthly rent price hike for owning pets.

Any advice before the manager brings the hammer down on these strays?  Should I just give up since the chance of TNR is vanishingly slim? (I'm going to have to donate all this canned cat food I have)
 

p3 and the king

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It's the same story here.  The managers approach is to let my neighbors trap and shoot them with shotguns.   It's gotten to the point where I don't waste time feeding them anymore.  I try to snatch them up immediately, if they are friendly enough, and take them someplace to be adopted.  I hate hearing the early morning gun shots because I know it's one life I didn't get to in time. 
 

StefanZ

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Difficult!

I understand you dont want to say openly you are feeding the cats. But just because of it, you can perhaps try to talk the manager over into TNR?

Pretend to be totally innocent, contact the manager. Yourself or by mail if you dont dare to make off the show.

"Hey, I was thinking about the problem you told me the other day.  And I think I stumbled onto a solution.  There is something they call TNR. I googled on it, and did some home work.  If seems to work nicely at the places they did tried it out!

Solves the problems, the cats do behave, no shrieking, no pissing, no catfights, and thus, no spreading of diseases... Just well behaving, healthy, nice, shy cats, people feeling good and happy with clean conscience and feeling like good heroes..

The cost not much bigger than for shooting them out, but everything is much more nice!

Want to see a PM and have some useful links?"

Something like that...

What do you think?

Good luck!  *vibes*
 
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feralvr

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I am very sad to hear of such cat hater's - but there are many out there, unfortunately. :sigh: I would just try to casually mention about the Trap-Neuter-Return programs. Would be the best solution. IF these cat's don't at least get trapped and sterilized the breeding will continue. I know you are in a difficult predicament - but maybe try contacting a TNR organization yourself and see if you can get some assistance. Explain the difficult situation you are dealing with. I am sure your situation is not unusual... as many apartment complex management have these policies that residents do not feed the stray/feral cats. They just don't understand that will not solve the problem. How very sad for these cat's.... :sniffle: My heart goes out to you and to these innocent little kitties. Thank you for trying to get some help for these kitties. When there is a will, there is a way. :cross: :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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juventas

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Thanks for the advice.  I think that ultimately I will mention TNR to them; just trying to find the nerve to do it.

P3: you snatch them up?  LOL.  I don't think that will end very well for me.  Maybe I should try to lure them into a box that I'm pretending to throw away.  How is everything in Branson?  Heard about the storm.
 
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juventas

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Ugh.  Never got around to informing the manager, which is a good thing, because apparently it is illegal to TNR in Kansas City, KS.  Just saw one of the strays mount another this evening.  For some odd reason, I panicked and chased them.  I hope they aren't scared of me now.  I think I'm going to have to nab her and bring her to the kill shelter myself, if only to prevent a litter of feral kittens from experiencing the harsh realities of the world.
 
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