cat colony being moved?

annettescats · Apr 9, 2012

Hello everyone I am new to this forum and I have a few question that I am looking to get some feedback on, a friend and I have been caring for a feral cat colony for the past five years at my work we have TNR all 7 cats, recently the powers that be have announced that we are no longer allowed to feed the cats on the property, we are unaware of why this came about now after 5 years of being able to keep this colony's numbers to 7, we feel that due to our TNR approach they would of had a bigger problem if we were not doing such a great job with TNR. But never the less we have to relocate these cats, my friend at work has been able to financially help me build a beautiful outdoor enclosure at my house and we plan to relocate this colony, We are currently finished with the enclosure that has taken almost 2 months to finish it's been a huge amount of work and stress but have accomplished the task. Now we have to relocate the cats! The last week we've managed getting 3 cats into the new enclosure 4 more to go, it this colony we figure 4 cats are full feral and 3 cats are neglected strays 2 of these cats we can touch and pick up. Here are my questions when we were feeding the cats before relocation these cats would be fed once a day and couldn't get enough to eat they each would eat 3 cans of fancy feast and a handful of dry now the three cats that have been relocated are eating much less than ever before, I do have dry food out all day and that seems to be going but the wet food they do not seem to care about which is a concern going from 3 cans to a couple bites a day, they have all started to calm down in their new place but the food intake concerns me. Any thoughts would help out....

ritz · Apr 9, 2012

Oh wow, thank you SO much for going the extra mile and building an enclosure for them. I would LOVE to see a picture--can you post one?

I wouldn't worry too much right now about them not eating as much wet food; they are all going through a big adjustment. They also may not be as active as before so they don't need as many calories. I don't know where you live, but in the warmer weather, cats don't need as much food.

Have you considered trying to socialize the most friendliest of cats and trying to adopt them out into Forever Homes?

I take care of a cat colony in the condo building where I live. Similar to your situation, I started getting a lot of negative reactions from the people who live in the same building as I do. So in January 2011 my friend converted one of her spare rooms in her house into a cattery--a room only for cats. We re-trapped a total of five cats, socialized them (or just got them use to living with people again), and have adopted out four cats into Forever Homes. Very rewarding. We will probably return one cat to the colony where she was trapped; she has remained quite feral.

Keep us posted how it is going, how the cats are adjusting. Thanks.

alyson · Apr 9, 2012

Wow, I love hearing both your stories....the patience, dedication and love for cats ! I have also noticed that cats who are running around outside all the time eat a LOT more than cats who have a safe warm house. Thanks

ziggy'smom · Apr 9, 2012

Wow, I'm impressed by your commitment to these cats. It's so nice to see that there are people out there willing to go the extra mile for these little guys. They are very lucky to have found you and your friend.

I'd love to see pics of your enclosure too if you have some. I don't have a yard - we live in a townhouse - but I'm hoping to have one in the future and will put a cat enclose on it.

As long as the cats in the enclosure are eating enough to sustain themselves I wouldn't worry too much about them not eating a lot of Fancy Feast. They are probably stressed out with the change and it's normal for cats to eat less when they are stressed. If they weren't eating at all I'd be worried but it sounds like they are eating the dry food. Do they have access to dry food all day now? If so that could change their habits. They simply aren't hungry when the wet food comes around.

I'd give it some time. The change in their lives has been pretty big and it's going to take time for them to adjust fully.

ritz · Apr 9, 2012

DO make sure they have access to water; cats need more water if they eat more dry food.

feralvr · Apr 9, 2012

OH WOW, I agree with everyone else, I am so impressed with your commitment and devotion to the cat's :heart3: I would love to see a photo of the enclosure you built too :clap:

What lucky kitties. I am sure in a matter of days they will settle down and begin to relax and eat. I think it is wonderful and incredibly kind the efforts you have gone to for this group of cat's. It does sound like a few of them would be good candidates to finding a loving home :cross: Good luck with all of this and getting all of the cat's relocated to this enclosure. :vibes:

annettescats · Apr 9, 2012

Hello and thanks for all the kuddos for saving these 7 feral cats it's truly a labor of love for us. I will take some pictures and post so everyone can see them. Annette

annettescats · Apr 10, 2012

They do have plenty access to water and food all day....

annettescats · Apr 10, 2012

Update: These 3 kids ate better last night, I do have one little girl in there her name is Lucy she's a diluted calico and she is so intrusive she feels like she need to get in the other cat business and then she gets the big smack! Do you guys think she will stop thinking the world revolves around Lucy and start minding her own business she also did this when they were free roaming at my work.

feralvr · Apr 10, 2012

:lol3: Lucy does sound a bit pushy

.... good for her, I want to say. I guess she is feeling pretty happy and comfortable in her new digs :lol3: I think in time the cat's will all learn to manage and have a "pecking" order, if you will, to keep the peace. Cat's really just want to all get along and don't really go looking for trouble. Hopefully :cross:

.... So I think Lucy will just have to learn who she can push around and who will not tolerate her advances. Sounds like all is going really well though :clap:

Keep us updated :nod: :vibes:

annettescats · Apr 11, 2012

Hello all I have posted some pictures of the enclosure, Will take more soon...

ritz · Apr 11, 2012

posted where.....

feralvr · Apr 11, 2012

annettescats said:
Hello all I have posted some pictures of the enclosure, Will take more soon...

I don't see the pictures, either. :lol3: !!!!!!!!

annettescats · Apr 12, 2012

I uploaded the pictures in my gallery, should they be posted somewhere else so everyone can view them? The album is called "Mommy and friens zen enclosure"...

annettescats · Apr 12, 2012

otto · Apr 12, 2012

annettescats said:
I uploaded the pictures in my gallery, should they be posted somewhere else so everyone can view them? The album is called "Mommy and friens zen enclosure"...

Wow. just...wow. (I wanna see pics of inside bedroom!)

annettescats · Apr 12, 2012

thanks for liking its been a lot of work, I am so fortunate to have Julie whom is my friend at work she is a RN financially help me with this....this is a dream come true after 5 years of caring for these guys we love so much!!!

annettescats · Apr 12, 2012

I will take some pictures of the inside of the bedroom next, its rainning here in Southern California so they are in there and I have to wait to take pictures when they are out a about in the big enclosure Just a little time before I post those waiting for rain to stop...

annettescats · Apr 12, 2012

Now have 4 out of the 7 relocated 3 more to go....

annettescats said:
Hello everyone I am new to this forum and I have a few question that I am looking to get some feedback on, a friend and I have been caring for a feral cat colony for the past five years at my work we have TNR all 7 cats, recently the powers that be have announced that we are no longer allowed to feed the cats on the property, we are unaware of why this came about now after 5 years of being able to keep this colony's numbers to 7, we feel that due to our TNR approach they would of had a bigger problem if we were not doing such a great job with TNR. But never the less we have to relocate these cats, my friend at work has been able to financially help me build a beautiful outdoor enclosure at my house and we plan to relocate this colony, We are currently finished with the enclosure that has taken almost 2 months to finish it's been a huge amount of work and stress but have accomplished the task. Now we have to relocate the cats! The last week we've managed getting 3 cats into the new enclosure 4 more to go, it this colony we figure 4 cats are full feral and 3 cats are neglected strays 2 of these cats we can touch and pick up. Here are my questions when we were feeding the cats before relocation these cats would be fed once a day and couldn't get enough to eat they each would eat 3 cans of fancy feast and a handful of dry now the three cats that have been relocated are eating much less than ever before, I do have dry food out all day and that seems to be going but the wet food they do not seem to care about which is a concern going from 3 cans to a couple bites a day, they have all started to calm down in their new place but the food intake concerns me. Any thoughts would help out....

GoldyCat · Apr 12, 2012

annettescats said:
I uploaded the pictures in my gallery, should they be posted somewhere else so everyone can view them? The album is called "Mommy and friens zen enclosure"...

If you post the pictures in the Fur Pictures and Videos Only! forum everyone will be able to see them. Pictures in your albums don't show up in the general forums, people have to know how to get to the specific album. In the Fur Pictures forum you could also post a link back to this thread.

cat colony being moved?

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