"colony" caretaker moving, now what?

jwiley

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To start with: I don't know what to do next.

Background: For the last year, I've been the caretaker of a small "colony" of feral cats on my patio on the back side of an apartment complex in College Park, MD. I hesitate to call them a colony because it's only three cats, 1 year old (approx, could be as much as 1 yr 3 mos), from the same litter. 2 females, and 1 male. They've all been TNR'd, and have had rabies vaccinations. I feed them nightly; one of the females (Princess) only comes around at feeding times, the other (Smoke) is around about 50% of the day, and the male (Loki) is around about 80%. They have a small homemade shelter they used all winter to stay warm in.

Problem: I'm moving. It's a sad fact of life, but I can no longer remain here in this apartment, and am moving about an hour north by the beginning of August. I'd relocate my 3 babies, but my soon-to-be new roommate is allergic to cats, and has two small dogs, so moving them to my new backyard would be chaotic and unpleasant for the cats. I've asked around my apartment complex, and no one is willing to feed the cats, and I'm afraid that if they continue to show up at the sliding glass door, the next residents will complain to management who will call animal control.

I've been feeding these three daily for most of their lives. I never expected to move, so the idea of "don't start feeding so you won't worry when you have to leave" was never even a fleeting thought in my head. Do I slowly stop feeding them in hopes they move on to other feeding grounds (there has to be other feeding grounds, as they aren't the only strays/ferals in the neighborhood, I just don't know where the others are getting food)? I know I can look into relocating them to a barn or farm, but where do I ask about THAT? Posting on craigslist seems like a way to hand your cats over to an unknown monster to me...

To end with: I don't know what to do next...
 

krz

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Are there any TNR organizations in your area? You could contact them to see if they know of any caretakers in your immediate area who would maybe take these three. I volunteer for such a group and we have a database of colony caretakers should something like this come up. In fact, that is how I acquired my colony. The woman who fed them moved away. I also would consider the possibility of relocating them to your new place. They are siblings and they share a shelter, keeping them confined for a few weeks in a very large crate should be fine. If they can get their imprint in a new area, and they have you to feed and provide shelter, it may be worth a try. I know how you must feel, I would feel terrible to leave them behind.
 

ritz

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I agree with KMR; try to find an already existing colony and move them there.  Contact Alley Cat Allies (their headquarters is in Bethesda).

I moved to Annapolis, leaving a cat colony behind.  I still go there to feed them on the weekends; a woman feeds them twice a week.  When I left 10 cats regularly came to dine, now I see around 4 to 6.  Half are formerly owned/stray, half are feral.  I am sure the other cats have moved to a place where there is food; one of the limits to how large a cat colony gets is availability of food.  Even when I was feeding the cats twice a day, every day, they still "dumpster dived" for more food.

Prince George's County has a law that Animal Control is required to notify known colony caretakers if they accidentally/on purpose trap a cat that has been TNRd.  I'd notify the animal control department.  Note that this law sounds good, but sometimes not consistently implemented.

I faced the same dilemma:  decrease food or continue to feed them twice a day when I knew I was moving.  In the end, I continued to feed them twice a day. 

I sill miss the cat colony after a year, but get to see my favorites.
 

feralcatluv

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I really hope you find a neighbor to keep feeding them. I am in the same situation. Have a male Buster is his name, I just neutered him am leaving area July 4th and he is hanging out more than before. Neighbor up street agreed to feed him but how do I get him to transfer his eating habits there? He is part of a colony here in the neighbor and at least the neighborhood is quiet and it is in the tropics but never did I imagine I would become so attached I have two indoor cats and can't take him with me. Everything I have been learning about the stray feral cats says they do best left in their territory. Buster is so sweet, I am learning that all feral cat caretakers feel and sound like me! so they all must be very special to arouse such a huge amount of care and affection I will appreciate all and any advice on how to help transition Buster. Also this is my house and I know he will be showing up here after I leave. Should I leave a shelter for him on our deck it is very open on the beach so would need to construct something. I just feel terrible but like jwiley I just can't stay at this time
 
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jwiley

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Sorry I haven't replied, its been a busy couple of days.

This is one of the hardest decisions I've made in a long time, but I've decided to slowly wean them off my feeding (We're at every other day this week) so by August, they'll be used to seeking food elsewhere. The hardest part right now is that Loki meows at the door if he hears me inside. That's the hardest to bear. But unfortunately, there aren't any other options for them.  D:

-Jessica
 
 

feralcatluv

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I completely understand, I know we view attachment different from cats but doesn't help my heart. Loki will find another food source they are amazing survivors yet it will still haunt us. I am sorry that you have to hear him meow, I know Buster will be coming here even after he figures out he has another food source. I am going to send the neighbor food is there any neighbor you can coax to take that on if you are willing I just walked the neighborhood often we are feeding one or more of the colony without being aware of who is feeding who. Maybe worth a try? Lisa
 

krz

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I know how badly you must feel, I would be heartsick. But I would exhaust every avenue. Relocating, or finding a new feeder in the area, especially if the kitty is crying at your door, it sounds as he is now depending on you. Is there a local TNR group in your area that would have an idea of another feeder close to you? I hope you can find a good solution.
 

bastfriend

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JWiley, please consider looking at every possibility.    Here's a list of cat rescue groups in MD http://nmhpnetwork.bestfriends.org/Partners.aspx?state=MD&cats=true and I think the Rude Ranch isn't too far from you and they say they do rescue work with ferals http://www.ruderanch.org/     You can also advertize for a barn home - yes you might get some wackos, but there are ways of screening them and protecting your information.   Feel free to PM me for ideas as I'm doing this myself right now - you have potential to find a home since I can see through google maps that there is farm country not too far from College Park.  
 
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