Fighting cats and stress!

So just now I heard yowls of a cat fight out near the feeding area.   A couple months ago this was a problem, so I limited the time the food was down to three hours a day when the main cat Hercules would know to find it.  There's no food down there at night.   This seemed to mostly work though there's another cat that inconsistently has appeared.   Now again tonight the fighting though I couldn't tell who it was I shined a bright flashlight into the bushes and think I broke it up.   This is really stressing me out!!!!      All day today Hercules was openly lying about where people could see him and now this racket was clearly heard by my upstairs neighbors because I heard them rush to look out their own balcony when I did.  One complaint and management would have not-feral friendly trappers out there.  I know I needed to move on bringing him in for socialization or relocation months ago but my health has just been consistently poor and I haven't felt up to it.   Still don't, but I feel the pressure so much now.   I hope so much that none of the cats were injured in the fight.  Any encouragement and support much appreciated!

I'm sorry about the cat and your health.

Is this cat neutered/spayed?  Do you think it's a territorial/mating/food issue?

If the cat needs to be trapped/TNR, The best bet is (as you probably know) to trap the cat; if your health doesn't permit it, maybe you have a friend or someone from a rescue group who could help you.  Explain your needs precisely (i.e., just need some physical help, I'll pay....), you might have someone with brawn, brains but poor (or, vice versa).

If scarcity of food (in the cats' mind) is an issue, can you leave more food out for the same amount of time?

I've recently learned that some counties have laws whereby if Animal Control traps a feral (ear tipped) cat, they must notify the caretaker/feral cat organization.  If the worse happens and the cat gets trapped, you might get him/any cat back that way.

Thanks for your post Ritz!   Yes Hercules is TNR'd and has enough food.   This occasional cat is not one I've done anything with and I've hoped not to encourage him (sorry about this) because I already can't deal with sorting out the one I am feeding.   My guess is that it is a territory dispute.   So far no sign of Hercules but I normally don't see him at this time of day.   

How common are fighting issues?   Is it usually just a loud show or does someone often get hurt?

I, too, am sorry to hear about this new development with the cats outside and your health.

One thing I have learned is that when we feed feral cat/cats then there are bound to be more cats finding their way to us which can turn the colony upside down. Usually the TNRd cats will defend their territory to the best of their ability and in the hopes that the newcomer will not be more dominant and determined to stay. The cats really do not want to "fight" and take the chance of getting seriously injured. Sometimes, the confrontation sounds SO much worse than it really is. It can sometimes be more screaming/shouting than actual contact. I would agree with Cindy and set a trap out there with food only in the trap. Tough because you might trap Hercules... I guess if you can and the time seems right for you then now might be the time to try bringing Hercules in. I think we all have been in your shoes a time or two. . Being a caregiver of feral cats is a really stressful and worrisome job at times.

Thanks Feralvr, I just hope everyone is okay.   I already canvassed the rescue groups in this area pretty thoroughly a while back - nobody, but nobody, comes out to your place to do the trapping and sort the cats out for you.  Reading here it seems many other cities have more active rescue groups than mine.   There is one group that manages a feral colony at a barn that might take Hercules in, but again they don't come out and are an hour away from me.   My health is simply not up to doing trapping right now, so I'm just praying the new one moves on to some other location.    If I absolutely had to, yes I could summon up the energy and lose the sleep to do it, but it would set back my condition.   I remember when I was younger and complaining about my life to older unhealthy people and they'd say "At least you have your health" and I'd always think that was some copout response.   Actually, it's everything because without it accomplishing so many things becomes difficult.     But don't worry guys I'm hoping that just like in Feb. this is a one time thing and the other one moves on to a different area. 

Now I get nervous....it's getting near the time of night the fight happened last night.  Wondering if it will happen again.   I did get a good look at Hercules today and it seems he is okay from the kerfuffle last night, big relief.  

Bastfriend said:

Thanks Feralvr, I just hope everyone is okay.   I already canvassed the rescue groups in this area pretty thoroughly a while back - nobody, but nobody, comes out to your place to do the trapping and sort the cats out for you.  Reading here it seems many other cities have more active rescue groups than mine.   There is one group that manages a feral colony at a barn that might take Hercules in, but again they don't come out and are an hour away from me.   My health is simply not up to doing trapping right now, so I'm just praying the new one moves on to some other location.    If I absolutely had to, yes I could summon up the energy and lose the sleep to do it, but it would set back my condition.   I remember when I was younger and complaining about my life to older unhealthy people and they'd say "At least you have your health" and I'd always think that was some copout response.   Actually, it's everything because without it accomplishing so many things becomes difficult.     But don't worry guys I'm hoping that just like in Feb. this is a one time thing and the other one moves on to a different area. 

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I also remember hearing that statement "At least you have your health". So very important and that does have to be your priority right now. But, yes, the worry about the new cat and possible fighting. I do hope that this cat will just move on. Very good to hear that you saw Hercules and he looks no worse for the wear. Let's hope that there is more screaming/yelling going on between them than actual contact confrontation. :cross:

Take good care of yourself. You know your limits and don't want a setback with your health.