- Joined
- Feb 17, 2015
- Messages
- 61
- Purraise
- 28
2 weeks ago, I noticed 3 feral cats roaming the parking garage at my apartment. Recently it got really cold here in Ohio and I was concerned for their well being. A police car came through the garage for his rounds and I flagged him down. I advised of the cats and asked if there was anything he can do, i.e. get a person to catch them to bring them to the shelter. He told me that he'll try but there are thousands of stray and feral cats in the city. He and I left to go to work
So a week later on Saturday, I saw the cats eating food left by another tenant. I able to get the attention of the older cat, and he sat down across the car aisle and stared at me. The other 2 younger ones were peeking from under a nearby car. It was adorable. So I had to do something to help them. The next day, I went to the Home Depot to purchase a few humane traps.
I set the traps near the area where people were leaving dry cat food for them. I brought some tuna and chicken wet food as bait. I was able to catch all 3 within 10 minutes. And like that, they were out of the near zero degree cold.
I brought the cats to the animal shelter to be evaluated for admission, however they were too feral to be accepted. So I was advised of the TNR program. I got all the cats desexed, and vaccinated.
I returned later that day and found out the older cat was a male and about 2 1/2 years old.. the younger cats were approx 8 months old. Male and female. I thought the older male was a mommy cat with her kittens following her. LOL
Anyhow I took them home for the night so they could heal. The shelter left instructions that I should release the cats within 24 hours of the operations. Both males were agitated with me when I approached thier cages, either hissing or moving to the far end of the cage. The female just sat there relaxing, yet keeping a wary eye on me. I was able to gently pet the female through the cage and she did not bolt or run in her cage.
I was saddened the cats were not admitted. I have since released the males back to where I found them. I know the are still in the area, from the evidence of the food left by the other tenants is still being consumed.
The female one I still have and will be socializing her. She is the most receptive and has the greatest potential.. I named her Yuuki, meaning snow in Japanese. Her fur is all white! (well if you clean all the grime and engine fluids off her fur) I still regret letting the males go but they are going to live a more peaceful life.
I have been aided by some great people here in the socialization of Yuuki. This is my 1st time ever taking on a feral cat. I also have been only a pet owner for close to a year. My prior kitten was taken from me out of spite by a vengeful ex. =/
It is ironic how I lost one cat and all of a sudden another one shows up in my life. lol
So a week later on Saturday, I saw the cats eating food left by another tenant. I able to get the attention of the older cat, and he sat down across the car aisle and stared at me. The other 2 younger ones were peeking from under a nearby car. It was adorable. So I had to do something to help them. The next day, I went to the Home Depot to purchase a few humane traps.
I set the traps near the area where people were leaving dry cat food for them. I brought some tuna and chicken wet food as bait. I was able to catch all 3 within 10 minutes. And like that, they were out of the near zero degree cold.
I brought the cats to the animal shelter to be evaluated for admission, however they were too feral to be accepted. So I was advised of the TNR program. I got all the cats desexed, and vaccinated.
I returned later that day and found out the older cat was a male and about 2 1/2 years old.. the younger cats were approx 8 months old. Male and female. I thought the older male was a mommy cat with her kittens following her. LOL
Anyhow I took them home for the night so they could heal. The shelter left instructions that I should release the cats within 24 hours of the operations. Both males were agitated with me when I approached thier cages, either hissing or moving to the far end of the cage. The female just sat there relaxing, yet keeping a wary eye on me. I was able to gently pet the female through the cage and she did not bolt or run in her cage.
I was saddened the cats were not admitted. I have since released the males back to where I found them. I know the are still in the area, from the evidence of the food left by the other tenants is still being consumed.
The female one I still have and will be socializing her. She is the most receptive and has the greatest potential.. I named her Yuuki, meaning snow in Japanese. Her fur is all white! (well if you clean all the grime and engine fluids off her fur) I still regret letting the males go but they are going to live a more peaceful life.
I have been aided by some great people here in the socialization of Yuuki. This is my 1st time ever taking on a feral cat. I also have been only a pet owner for close to a year. My prior kitten was taken from me out of spite by a vengeful ex. =/
It is ironic how I lost one cat and all of a sudden another one shows up in my life. lol