A "kind of" new cat on the block-introducing me-sorry long

I "lurked" her for a couple of weeks and finally decided to join in.  You all know so much about ferals here and I know so little!!  I live in central WA and have fostered dogs for a local rescue here for about 12 years.  About 4 maybe 5 years ago I bought the lot next door.  It had a falling down house on it and about 5 or six cats lived in it.  Well, long story short, I now feed a feral cat colony of I don't even know how many!!!!  I have counted 25 cats waiting when I come feed and if I see that many, there has to be more.  All I know is I go through 3 sixteen pound bags of cat food a week!!  I didn't know about TNR when I first started feeding the original cats.  Well over the last couple of years I started hearing about TNR and wished I could get in on it.  I talked to the dog rescue folks who hooked me up with another local rescue that helps with spay/neuter fees ($40.00) per animal.  I also got the number for a organization about 40 miles away that has a TNR clinic in my area twice monthly and the fee is only $20.00 per cat.  I started with TNR at the end of Nov. Well, as of today there has been 22 TNR's done.  I think I can see a spark of light at the end of the tunnel!!!  When I go out to feed (once daily)  about 80% of everyone out there has tipped ear!!!  I have also been on line trying to learn everything I can about ferals, as all of mine are truly feral.  I can get with in about 5 feet of them but any closer and they run.  Well, this is my story of TNR and learning of feral cats.  Believe it or not I am not much of a writer so I probally won't post much-but you never know!!

Hi, welcome to TCS!  Bless you for helping the ferals.  Ferals have been a learning experience for DH and I, as well.  We currently have one at our house (he came from the neighbors' barn, probably).  DH previously worked until all the ferals at his friend's house had been TNR'ed. My cat saving sil also took on helping a feral colony...which resulted in catching a raccoon by accident (who was released from the cage the next morning hissing and angry) and having a neighbor's non-feral pet cat neutered.  (He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.)  Well, he needed it anyway. 

How funny, I am pretty sure I neutered someone's cat. A big black Tom that is at least four old and the father and grandfather of a lot of "my" colony. He weighs 15 lbs. But he  held not grudge he was back a few days later to eat!!  I also caught the neighbor's small dog. The dog sure was not happy!!!

Hi there welcome along to TCS