I am moving, no caretaker available

Update.  Much sadder, harder than I thought it would be.  I cry every time I think too long about the cats I abandoned, just like their previous owners did or the ones who only knew me the woman who fed them.

During the week off from work I made excuses to go back to where I use to live; I return to work tomorrow so will only get to go there on the weekends.

Sad, really sad.

Have you checked some place like sittercity?  Maybe someone would be willing to feed the cats a couple of times a week at a reasonable rate?

is this in Virginia or Maryland?

Metro Ferals has volunteers that care for cat colonies.  Have you checked with them?

VIRGINIA METRO FERALS
PO Box 7138
Arlington, VA 22207
703-528-7782

MARYLAND METRO FERALS
PO Box 1385
Sykesville, MD 21784
443-255-4489

WASHINGTON DC METRO FERALS
PO Box 73321
Washington, DC 20056
202-249-9911

Ritz said:

Update.  Much sadder, harder than I thought it would be.  I cry every time I think too long about the cats I abandoned, just like their previous owners did or the ones who only knew me the woman who fed them.
During the week off from work I made excuses to go back to where I use to live; I return to work tomorrow so will only get to go there on the weekends.
Sad, really sad.

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OH Cindy... :sobbing: I am so sad for you and these kitties. Really, I feel for you. You are doing the best you can, hun.

tjcarst said:

Metro Ferals has volunteers that care for cat colonies.  Have you checked with them?

VIRGINIA METRO FERALS

PO Box 7138

Arlington, VA 22207

703-528-7782

MARYLAND METRO FERALS

PO Box 1385

Sykesville, MD 21784

443-255-4489

WASHINGTON DC METRO FERALS

PO Box 73321

Washington, DC 20056

202-249-9911

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This is great!!!! I hope that Metro can help with Cindy's colony... :cross: Thanks for posting this info.

Yes, and none are available.

Ritz said:

Yes, and none are available.

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OH, I was hopeful for you on that one... :shame: Sorry, Cindy.

UPDATE: 

About three months ago, a woman ("ME")  drove around looking for her beloved cat who had escaped her apartment.  She lives around a mile away in a large apartment complex.   She saw a lot of cats by the dumpster where I fed the colony, and I just happened to come out while she was there.  We talked a little, and "Sandy" was especially affectionate (as were Twiddledee and Twiddledum).

Fast forward to last week, when I received an email from ME.  ME has reluctantly concluded that she will never see her cat again, is understandably heartbroken, is searching her heart to see if she is ready emotionally to adopt another cat.  She's waiting for a message/sense from her cat (not as crazy as it sounds; interestingly, she is very religious).  She remembers fondly Sandy and wanted my honest opinion about whether Sandy could be re-socialized/adoptable.  I met her at the cat colony and we talked for a while.  She hasn't decided whether to adopt Sandy (or possibly Twiddledee/Twiddledum), but meanwhile she has volunteered to feed the cats Tuesday and Thursday, and I'll feed them on the weekend. I believe ME has the patience and understanding to resocialize/adopt any of three cats who were previously owned, and her feeding the cats several times a week will help her decide whether to adopt Sandy or the other two.

I've been around every weekend, and the cat's weight looks good, which was my main concern.

PS:  For those who remember "Buckley" (the cat we retrapped, resocialized; about to go into a Forever Home; escaped the house, made it back to the colony two miles, two weeks later; retrapped; adopted into a Forever Home last year):  Sandy is presumed to be Buckley's smaller brother, feminine looking.  Both are very similar in coloring and showed up at the same time.

Oh!!  Great news!!!!  I've been thinking about you and your cat colony.  So glad that someone is able to help!  

You've made my week!

Wonderful, fantastic update, Cindy!! I am so happy for you, hun. What a relief to have found ME It always amazes me how things end up working out and now you won't have to worry about the kitties. AND ME might be adopting :high5: That is the BEST news of all. You did a great job through all of this. Yep - I remember Buckley. Poor Sandy , I am sorry she has never been found - but I guess her disappearance is not in vain. ME is willing to care for this colony of kitties all in the honor of her Sandy. :bigthumb:

I wouldn't try taking them out to the farm. I would hate if someone picked me up and moved me without coming with me.  They found food once and will do so again.  Sorry to hear about your situation though.

I won't be taking any to a farm, there aren't farms available, at least none that will keep them confined for three weeks.

There are lots of dumpsters with food in them and a fair amount of vegetation/mice/birds.  Winter will be hard, it always is for the ferals/strays.

I *may* (emphasize MAY) try to foster Twiddledee, I'll decide before it gets really cold here.  Don't know how bonded Twiddledee/dum and Sandy are.  Course would be super if ME would adopt two cats, 'misery' loves company.

Ritz said:

I won't be taking any to a farm, there aren't farms available, at least none that will keep them confined for three weeks.
There are lots of dumpsters with food in them and a fair amount of vegetation/mice/birds.  Winter will be hard, it always is for the ferals/strays.
I *may* (emphasize MAY) try to foster Twiddledee, I'll decide before it gets really cold here.  Don't know how bonded Twiddledee/dum and Sandy are.  Course would be super if ME would adopt two cats, 'misery' loves company.

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OH Cindy - I had to laugh :lol3: "misery loves company" SOOOO true. Just sending more vibes to these kitties. Good luck with Twiddledee. Let's hope ME would love some "miserable company" ..... :cross: