Oh yes! Those are great. Thanks.
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Friend of Ferals Award Badge - Apply Here
- Thread starter Anne
- Start Date
We moved onto NAS JAX (the Naval Airbase in Jacksonville, FL) a few months ago and the base has ALWAYS had several, large feral colonies that are loved by most of the base since they keep rats, mice and lizards down to a minimum. The thing is, they NEVER have them neutered/spayed, which the Base Vets Office is always putting up flyers and sending out emails to bring in some of the ferals to be fixed but no one wants to pay the 80$ price tag. So I, the vets office and a few more of the Navy Wives here started a program where if patrons bring in any animal to be neutered or spayed, it counts as a 40$ "voucher" for the next feral to be brought in by anyone. The remaining 40$ is paid by us Navy Wives, donations to the "Feral Fixing Fund" at the front desk or the person who brings the cat in that is willing to pay whatever difference there is in the cost. This program also does the same for check ups, kitten care and rabies vaccinations of the ferals on base. The Vets Office also supplies humane "trapping" cages and "bait" so that ferals can be caught to be brought in for the procedure and shots.
And even before this was started, I've always wanted all my cats to ferals and give them a home, so all my cats that were adopted as kittens (Galaxy, Nova, Leo and Orion) were feral born. (Pandora and Mercury were adopted as older cats from the vet who had been abandoned)
Orion (Our newest addition as of yesterday)
Galaxy as a kitten (He has since passed)
Nova as a kitten
View media item 178425
Leo as a kitten (on my very pregnant belly to boot!)
And even before this was started, I've always wanted all my cats to ferals and give them a home, so all my cats that were adopted as kittens (Galaxy, Nova, Leo and Orion) were feral born. (Pandora and Mercury were adopted as older cats from the vet who had been abandoned)
Orion (Our newest addition as of yesterday)
Galaxy as a kitten (He has since passed)
Nova as a kitten
View media item 178425
Leo as a kitten (on my very pregnant belly to boot!)
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- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #225
So sorry about the delay! I must have missed the notification on the new post. Fortunately I checked the thread today. Thank you so much for sharing your story and pictures! Badge awarded!Galaxy as a kitten (He has since passed)
Nova as a kitten
View media item 178425
Leo as a kitten (on my very pregnant belly to boot!)
@ Roguethecat
Back in March the county i live in approved a TNR program...in April the CITY shot down a TNR program designed for in-city ferals. Working with ferals here is against the law and for the 10 yrs i've lived in thes town it's been a constant battle with animal control and that ruthless cat-hater that runs the shelter Here wer have to stay under the radar and really don't think there's any feral cat groups that offer help with s/n/vacc's. I'm on a fixxed income so qualify for low incame s/n...that doesn't include vacc's...however, there's a numbers game here as well, (3 animals in city limits) and if you're caught feeding ferals they are automatically considered yours which could wind up in fines & confiscation of the animals because you're in violation of the numbers law Almost a no-win situation and I thinks the only reason i keep doing it (other than the fact that i get satisfaction from taking care of them) is because they have so very few people in this community who care about them. Wish we had an FOF type program here. Heck, i WISH they had more people around here trying to save the ferals rather than kill them!!
Back in March the county i live in approved a TNR program...in April the CITY shot down a TNR program designed for in-city ferals. Working with ferals here is against the law and for the 10 yrs i've lived in thes town it's been a constant battle with animal control and that ruthless cat-hater that runs the shelter
Here wer have to stay under the radar and really don't think there's any feral cat groups that offer help with s/n/vacc's. I'm on a fixxed income so qualify for low incame s/n...that doesn't include vacc's...however, there's a numbers game here as well, (3 animals in city limits) and if you're caught feeding ferals they are automatically considered yours which could wind up in fines & confiscation of the animals because you're in violation of the numbers law Almost a no-win situation and I thinks the only reason i keep doing it (other than the fact that i get satisfaction from taking care of them) is because they have so very few people in this community who care about them. Wish we had an FOF type program here. Heck, i WISH they had more people around here trying to save the ferals rather than kill them!!
I'm originally from England, moved to NY to give things a go with my now-hubby, so far not really going great work-wise etc, but I've gone from cat loving to utterly cat crazy. I look after a somewhat small colony here in NYC right outside my house. There are a few lifelong members and others that seem to come and go. My area has a fair number of ferals. They're more streetwise than me that's for sure and I've seen one (Patches, a bi-colour tortie not photo'd here) look both ways before she ran across the road outside out house. See, cats aren't dumb by a longshot, see they just aren't as eager to please people as dogs. ;}
Another lady who I have not seen/met has been feeding the colony for a long while now and was putting food out every day until recently when she only puts it out on weekends. The neighbourhood here has mixed views on the cats but thankfully aren't bothered enough to make a problem out of it. I do wish more people would get involved but that's a rant I'll leave off on.
A few weeks ago both alone and with the help of the Mayor's Alliance, Ferals in Peril (trappers) and Neighbourhood Cats I caught 2 ginger kittens, their mother Mimo (mother of my Mithra!) and Flora my feral tabby girl. All were spayed/neutered and the kittens were young enough that they were taken to a foster lady for socialization. I was unable to help them which explains itself further down.
Mithra (left, my 1 year old Nebelung -look alike house cat/beast) and his mother, Miko ("Mithy Momma") before she was taken for spaying and ear-tipping last month. She is back now and looking as gorgeous as ever... Below she is chilling with Flora (also spayed and tipped) at breakfast time. The resemblance in look and mannerisms is ridiculous. He was 8 weeks, only 1lb when we took him, suffering from a level 3+ (levels?) Giardia and Coccidia which took months to cure. He's... odd but very lovable. Best friends with my other cat.
Still more to spay/neuter but I recently got my TNR certification through Neighbourhood Cats via one of their amazing workshops. Low cost spay/neuter and great tips on managing colonies however big or small. I have a few more cats to capture and fix but need to wait as am caring for a cat and her 5 kittens indoors which takes up time and costs more than I thought it would.
The next kitty is "Lucky" (named after one of the 3 black cats I grew up with!). She was always suspiciously calm for a "feral", would follow me for food at a distance (outside), she has been in the colony for a while but unfortunately eluded capture until early May when heavily pregnant. It was pure timing and luck that allowed me to trap her, I was right next to the trap and she finally went in, and I had to trip the pressure-plate. Could not bring myself to abort when the vet said she was only 2 weeks from her due date which turned out to be accurate. She was nervous and hissy for the first 3 weeks, but I am pretty sure she is another of NYC's countless abandoned pets which becomes apparent in this video of her:
I'm looking for a home for her if there is someone out there who can help her reach her happy house cat potential which she's more than capable of. She tolerates all petting, grooming and so-far I've only tried partial lifting to haul her ass into the crate when she's not in the mood. I have 2 fixed male cats of my own -- cannot let her run free around the house for that reason, unfortunately.
She brought to the world 5 little kittens --no--rascals who are as sweet as they are beautiful, minus their little monstrous pin claws. Their father was a ginger tabby I've not much of, he looks stray not feral. I get that there are population concerns, so I'm not against other people making their own informed choice with pregnant ferals/etc, but these girls and their big brother are all to be spayed/neutered before adoption and I don't regret letting nature take it's course as I will foster however/whenever they need. Calicos, Tortie & Blackie!
Second from right is a little nightmare and was running before the others were even steady on their legs! The most playful of them all.
Waiting to see whether I'm able to keep at least one but it's unlikely given my financial situation. Oh my. :}
Would hope many more people will adopt, take on the TNR pledge and hopefully inspire others as well. Ferals deserve it after everything they have to endure having already been robbed of a life of safety and love by people who... well, people I would never call friends -- no swearing here huh.
Another lady who I have not seen/met has been feeding the colony for a long while now and was putting food out every day until recently when she only puts it out on weekends. The neighbourhood here has mixed views on the cats but thankfully aren't bothered enough to make a problem out of it. I do wish more people would get involved but that's a rant I'll leave off on.
A few weeks ago both alone and with the help of the Mayor's Alliance, Ferals in Peril (trappers) and Neighbourhood Cats I caught 2 ginger kittens, their mother Mimo (mother of my Mithra!) and Flora my feral tabby girl. All were spayed/neutered and the kittens were young enough that they were taken to a foster lady for socialization. I was unable to help them which explains itself further down.
Still more to spay/neuter but I recently got my TNR certification through Neighbourhood Cats via one of their amazing workshops. Low cost spay/neuter and great tips on managing colonies however big or small. I have a few more cats to capture and fix but need to wait as am caring for a cat and her 5 kittens indoors which takes up time and costs more than I thought it would.
The next kitty is "Lucky" (named after one of the 3 black cats I grew up with!). She was always suspiciously calm for a "feral", would follow me for food at a distance (outside), she has been in the colony for a while but unfortunately eluded capture until early May when heavily pregnant. It was pure timing and luck that allowed me to trap her, I was right next to the trap and she finally went in, and I had to trip the pressure-plate. Could not bring myself to abort when the vet said she was only 2 weeks from her due date which turned out to be accurate. She was nervous and hissy for the first 3 weeks, but I am pretty sure she is another of NYC's countless abandoned pets which becomes apparent in this video of her:
I'm looking for a home for her if there is someone out there who can help her reach her happy house cat potential which she's more than capable of. She tolerates all petting, grooming and so-far I've only tried partial lifting to haul her ass into the crate when she's not in the mood. I have 2 fixed male cats of my own -- cannot let her run free around the house for that reason, unfortunately.
She brought to the world 5 little kittens --no--rascals who are as sweet as they are beautiful, minus their little monstrous pin claws. Their father was a ginger tabby I've not much of, he looks stray not feral. I get that there are population concerns, so I'm not against other people making their own informed choice with pregnant ferals/etc, but these girls and their big brother are all to be spayed/neutered before adoption and I don't regret letting nature take it's course as I will foster however/whenever they need. Calicos, Tortie & Blackie!
Second from right is a little nightmare and was running before the others were even steady on their legs! The most playful of them all.
Waiting to see whether I'm able to keep at least one but it's unlikely given my financial situation. Oh my. :}
Would hope many more people will adopt, take on the TNR pledge and hopefully inspire others as well. Ferals deserve it after everything they have to endure having already been robbed of a life of safety and love by people who... well, people I would never call friends -- no swearing here huh.
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- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #228
Welcome aboard! Thank you for sharing the story and photos and above all, for helping the cats! I hope you can find good homes for all the kittens and the Mom as well. Good luck!Mithra (left, my 1 year old Nebelung -look alike house cat/beast) and his mother, Miko ("Mithy Momma") before she was taken for spaying and ear-tipping last month. She is back now and looking as gorgeous as ever... Below she is chilling with Flora (also spayed and tipped) at breakfast time. The resemblance in look and mannerisms is ridiculous. He was 8 weeks, only 1lb when we took him, suffering from a level 3+ (levels?) Giardia and Coccidia which took months to cure. He's... odd but very lovable. Best friends with my other cat.
Still more to spay/neuter but I recently got my TNR certification through Neighbourhood Cats via one of their amazing workshops. Low cost spay/neuter and great tips on managing colonies however big or small. I have a few more cats to capture and fix but need to wait as am caring for a cat and her 5 kittens indoors which takes up time and costs more than I thought it would.
The next kitty is "Lucky" (named after one of the 3 black cats I grew up with!). She was always suspiciously calm for a "feral", would follow me for food at a distance (outside), she has been in the colony for a while but unfortunately eluded capture until early May when heavily pregnant. It was pure timing and luck that allowed me to trap her, I was right next to the trap and she finally went in, and I had to trip the pressure-plate. Could not bring myself to abort when the vet said she was only 2 weeks from her due date which turned out to be accurate. She was nervous and hissy for the first 3 weeks, but I am pretty sure she is another of NYC's countless abandoned pets which becomes apparent in this video of her:
I'm looking for a home for her if there is someone out there who can help her reach her happy house cat potential which she's more than capable of. She tolerates all petting, grooming and so-far I've only tried partial lifting to haul her ass into the crate when she's not in the mood. I have 2 fixed male cats of my own -- cannot let her run free around the house for that reason, unfortunately.
She brought to the world 5 little kittens --no--rascals who are as sweet as they are beautiful, minus their little monstrous pin claws. Their father was a ginger tabby I've not much of, he looks stray not feral. I get that there are population concerns, so I'm not against other people making their own informed choice with pregnant ferals/etc, but these girls and their big brother are all to be spayed/neutered before adoption and I don't regret letting nature take it's course as I will foster however/whenever they need. Calicos, Tortie & Blackie!
Second from right is a little nightmare and was running before the others were even steady on their legs! The most playful of them all.
Waiting to see whether I'm able to keep at least one but it's unlikely given my financial situation. Oh my. :}
Would hope many more people will adopt, take on the TNR pledge and hopefully inspire others as well. Ferals deserve it after everything they have to endure having already been robbed of a life of safety and love by people who... well, people I would never call friends -- no swearing here huh.
Badge awarded, of course!
- Joined
- Jul 10, 2014
- Messages
- 2
- Purraise
- 1
Hi,
I have been caring for and adopting friendly ferals in my home and my Mom's home for over 7 years.
I manage 2 colonies. One at my Mother's home 35 miles from my home with 10 felines and one in my Community of 13 felines.
I also locate and refer colonies I come across in my travels to local Rescues for TNR assistance.
I am still learning but with the advice and support of many people, I believe I am saving lives and preventing new kitten litters.
I would be honored to receive your 'Feral Cat' emblem.
I have been caring for and adopting friendly ferals in my home and my Mom's home for over 7 years.
I manage 2 colonies. One at my Mother's home 35 miles from my home with 10 felines and one in my Community of 13 felines.
I also locate and refer colonies I come across in my travels to local Rescues for TNR assistance.
I am still learning but with the advice and support of many people, I believe I am saving lives and preventing new kitten litters.
I would be honored to receive your 'Feral Cat' emblem.
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2012
- Messages
- 91
- Purraise
- 17
I took in a feral mama and her 3 feral kittens 15 years ago and tamed them and kept them. I still have 2 of the babies - that black cat that's my pic is one of them. I think that mama was an escaped pet that went wild, because I tamed her in about 2 or 3 months. Then 2 years ago I trapped a feral mama in my rural area and her kitten, tamed the kitten, took her in to be spayed and she was already pregnant. She must have gotten pregnant like 2 days before I trapped her. So she had that kitten, which I didn't really have to tame since that one was around people right away. Then I have spent 2 years taming mama and she is almost ready to move into the house. she has a nice outbuilding with a heated large cubby and it got her thru a northern MN winter just great. I monitor for stray cats in the winter, since these winters are so harsh.
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- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #231
How wonderful to see more people caring for ferals! Welcome to TCS and thank you for helping the cats. Badges awarded!
I volunteer at a small animal shelter and was helping to look for a pregnant stray near my neighborhood. I found a large feral colony. The shelter acted like it was all brand new info and director said " did you feed them? If you don't, no one will." So now I spend hundreds every month caring for ferals. Ferals find me wherever I go. I got almost all of them TNR'ED and the kittens, sooooo many kittens adopted. I am overwhelmed but I know they need me and show up for them even in blizzards. I love them all but feel like they need more and wish I had help and more to give them.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #233
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2013
- Messages
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- Purraise
- 10
I'm still new to this, but I'll add my story.
Midwinter of 2012, my husband and I noticed a big orange and white kitty hanging out by the back of the garage. He'd position himself in the light from our neighbor's house so we could see him. He would just squat there, thinking "Tuna?" no doubt. We started feeding him - first chicken leftovers from dinner, then tuna or canned kitty food from our own critters.
Simon, courting a deadly sunbeam.
Soon after, Simon found friends and brought them up. Siblings, around 8-10 months old, who we named Brighton and Esther.
Here they are, perching on a dry area of their cold weather houses, winter of 2013.
We trapped all three and put them through the TNR program in April of 2013. Unfortunately, by the time we caught her, Esther had already had four kittens. We didn't see them until mid-May, by which time they were weaned and about 3 months old. We caught them in June, socialized them on the porch until mid-July, and got all but one homes.
We kept one of the kittens. We had named them Castor and Pollux, Oedipus and Leonidas. Castor is the permanent resident here.
Castor today.
Fast forward to spring 2014. Over the winter, we had heard a female in the area in heat, but we also knew that we had all males around neutered. She was in heat a full month, and we hoped to be able to catch her once it was warmer - we had no where to keep her post-surgery. Too late - the first week of May, she dropped three kittens in a neighbor's window well. One she abandoned immediately, two she transported. We rescued the first one and tried to reunite him with her, but she wouldn't have it. The next day, we trapped her and got her taken in to be spayed. We call her Jane. We pulled her kits out of her nest, but she refused to nurse them, so they have been bottle fed babies.
We call them Sojourner, Serendipity, and Zadok.
Sojourner is the grey and white boy on the left; Zadok is the mischievous tuxedo, and Serendipity is the muted torti on the right.
Zadok
Sojourner
Serendipity
We've had a long road with these babies, but they're now all fixed and ready to go to their permanent homes. They leave us on Wednesday - I'm just negotiating the time now. My whole family wants to be there to say goodbye, and work schedules are getting in the way. But we'll work it out somehow.
I will cry, but I'm betting we'll have another crop of babies next spring. No doubt, another female will slip the cordon and drop the evil things in our backyard, and there we'll be.
Midwinter of 2012, my husband and I noticed a big orange and white kitty hanging out by the back of the garage. He'd position himself in the light from our neighbor's house so we could see him. He would just squat there, thinking "Tuna?" no doubt. We started feeding him - first chicken leftovers from dinner, then tuna or canned kitty food from our own critters.
Simon, courting a deadly sunbeam.
Soon after, Simon found friends and brought them up. Siblings, around 8-10 months old, who we named Brighton and Esther.
Here they are, perching on a dry area of their cold weather houses, winter of 2013.
We trapped all three and put them through the TNR program in April of 2013. Unfortunately, by the time we caught her, Esther had already had four kittens. We didn't see them until mid-May, by which time they were weaned and about 3 months old. We caught them in June, socialized them on the porch until mid-July, and got all but one homes.
We kept one of the kittens. We had named them Castor and Pollux, Oedipus and Leonidas. Castor is the permanent resident here.
Castor today.
Fast forward to spring 2014. Over the winter, we had heard a female in the area in heat, but we also knew that we had all males around neutered. She was in heat a full month, and we hoped to be able to catch her once it was warmer - we had no where to keep her post-surgery. Too late - the first week of May, she dropped three kittens in a neighbor's window well. One she abandoned immediately, two she transported. We rescued the first one and tried to reunite him with her, but she wouldn't have it. The next day, we trapped her and got her taken in to be spayed. We call her Jane. We pulled her kits out of her nest, but she refused to nurse them, so they have been bottle fed babies.
We call them Sojourner, Serendipity, and Zadok.
Sojourner is the grey and white boy on the left; Zadok is the mischievous tuxedo, and Serendipity is the muted torti on the right.
Zadok
Sojourner
Serendipity
We've had a long road with these babies, but they're now all fixed and ready to go to their permanent homes. They leave us on Wednesday - I'm just negotiating the time now. My whole family wants to be there to say goodbye, and work schedules are getting in the way. But we'll work it out somehow.
I will cry, but I'm betting we'll have another crop of babies next spring. No doubt, another female will slip the cordon and drop the evil things in our backyard, and there we'll be.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #236
Welcome aboard! Great story and pictures too! Thanks for sharing them with us.Simon, courting a deadly sunbeam.
Soon after, Simon found friends and brought them up. Siblings, around 8-10 months old, who we named Brighton and Esther.
Here they are, perching on a dry area of their cold weather houses, winter of 2013.
We trapped all three and put them through the TNR program in April of 2013. Unfortunately, by the time we caught her, Esther had already had four kittens. We didn't see them until mid-May, by which time they were weaned and about 3 months old. We caught them in June, socialized them on the porch until mid-July, and got all but one homes.
We kept one of the kittens. We had named them Castor and Pollux, Oedipus and Leonidas. Castor is the permanent resident here.
Castor today.
Fast forward to spring 2014. Over the winter, we had heard a female in the area in heat, but we also knew that we had all males around neutered. She was in heat a full month, and we hoped to be able to catch her once it was warmer - we had no where to keep her post-surgery. Too late - the first week of May, she dropped three kittens in a neighbor's window well. One she abandoned immediately, two she transported. We rescued the first one and tried to reunite him with her, but she wouldn't have it. The next day, we trapped her and got her taken in to be spayed. We call her Jane. We pulled her kits out of her nest, but she refused to nurse them, so they have been bottle fed babies.
We call them Sojourner, Serendipity, and Zadok.
Sojourner is the grey and white boy on the left; Zadok is the mischievous tuxedo, and Serendipity is the muted torti on the right.
Zadok
Sojourner
Serendipity
We've had a long road with these babies, but they're now all fixed and ready to go to their permanent homes. They leave us on Wednesday - I'm just negotiating the time now. My whole family wants to be there to say goodbye, and work schedules are getting in the way. But we'll work it out somehow.
I will cry, but I'm betting we'll have another crop of babies next spring. No doubt, another female will slip the cordon and drop the evil things in our backyard, and there we'll be.
Managing a feral colony and TNR'ing can certainly be an uphill struggle. I hope you can find support and advice here in the ferals forum.
Badge awarded, of course
Gorgeous pictures @hroswitha! Thank you for sharing. Castor looks like a real character!
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2013
- Messages
- 63
- Purraise
- 10
Oh, Castor is a character. He still thinks he's a tiny baby kitty, and wants to play with the kittens as if he were. He can be a little too rough with them, but he never wants to harm them. He crawls into the carrier where the kittens lived for their first three weeks, tries to climb into the kitten tree where he once played with his brothers, and it's just cute. He'll miss them when they're homed.
Can I still apply?!
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #240
Sure! Just let us know about your own special relationship with feral cats
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