Help with ferals

So, I've realized finally that I have an official colony at my work. We've been trapping sporadically but we've decided to actively take care of these cats and try and catch all of them to get fixed. I don't know the first thing about taking care of a colony but I've been reading up on it. Do any of you have some pictures of feeding stations you can show me? Unfortunately I wasn't thinking when I left old out over the weekend...I'm afraid the raccoons may have gotten to it and I also isn't think about insects. Also, what shall I do about the weekends and feedings? I just read that feeding times should be around the same time everyday, which is fine during the week. I guess I was thinking I could free feed them. What feeding schedule do some of you guys have?

Mamma cat we just caught. Getting fixed over the weekend

Kitten we caught that isn't from the above mamma cat.

We also caught three kittens last week. Our cat population has grown exponentially so I need to do something.

Good for you for taking this responsibility!  I have nothing but admiration for people who are pro-active about this kind of situation.  Having said that, you are going to need help.  First off, make sure the powers-that-be support your feeding idea.  If you get started and someone higher up decides it's not good, all your hard work is down the drain.  It is also a lot easier when you have actual helpers - others who can share the responsibility and cost of feeding.

You probably should not free feed.  As you've learned, that will attract bugs and raccoons - and that will attract all sorts of complaints you don't need.

There are food shelters (google feral cat feeders) that can be used but it really depends on how many cats you are feeding.  If you have more than five or so, you'd need several shelters.  Is there a porch or other covered area you can use instead?

Ants can be kept away but putting the bowls of food inside shallow dishes of water.  But again, with a lot of cats, these will most likely get spilled.

Get the cats used to eating at set times (say before and after work).  Weekends and holidays will be tricky, as the cats will be expecting to be fed.  Can someone who lives near the office take on the weekend feeding duties?  Again, you'll need help and back up in any case.

Finally, you will also need to provide suitable shelters for the cats come winter.  Do you know where they are sheltering now?  I ask because that's also a potential trouble spot.  The neighbors at work may not appreciate if the cats find places to sleep under their houses or under piles of stuff in their yards.

Shelters (for food or for sleeping) aren't hard to make - from doghouses or Rubbermaid totes.  Lots of ideas for those are on the Internet.

Thanks for helping them.  Especially for trapping and spaying/neutering them!

Well, my works is my fathers business so there is no problem there. He supports this :-). I tell him he has no choice. Lol.

We have some big storage containers that they get into:


Those blue things in the background is what they get into. You can see about 8 of the cats on those skids in the picture. There isn't anything really in the storage containers and they've smelled up one of them. Should I put anything in them like blankets or something? I will work on food stations this week and maybe a separate smaller shelter. The employees at my work are extremely helpful and will help with the feedings but not on the weekends. I could probably get there once over the weekend. I guess I'll have to think about that. While everyone at work is helpful with helping me catch and get them fixed I'm unsure any will want to come in over the weekend.

I've also sent an email to forgotten cats to see if they can help me trap them all to get fixed, also to get he rest of the kittens. It's stressful just thinking about it. I want to do his right and help them the best I can but I'm afraid I won't to a good job. The finance part of it isn't a problem. We have a kitty fund at work. We sell candy to our customers to raise money or a local cat rescue. We just use those funds to fix the cats that we've gotten. Last year we raised 3k from selling candy without really trying, so we are going to constantly have the candy out to make sure we have enough money for our cats and the rescue.

There is at least 15 cats out there. Do you think those big storage containers are enough as far as shelter? Again, what do you think I should put inside it.

Oh, and as far as neighbors, its kind of an industrial setting. Our property is separated from the others with this small wooded area. We do border a ver low income rental area which is where/how we think this started. We've also caught a few fixed declawed cats. We found hem homes. We think they came from that area.

*sigh*

Wonderful!  Don't use blankets; they will mold.  Use straw (not hay) for bedding.  You can just spread a layer down inside the containers.  However, if the containers are more or less permanent, why don't you consider putting smaller shelters inside them?  Because of their height, they won't retain much warmth in the winter.  Smaller shelters (they can be Rubbermaid totes or doghouses) will help the cats stay cozier.

Once they are all fixed, you will have a lot less worry about smells.  They are probably spraying to mark their territory and that usually subsides when the hormones calm down after the cats are fixed.

You can scrub the walls and floors of the containers with an enzyme cleaner - that will get rid of the smell.  If you want to invest in a black light, it will help you find the areas that were sprayed.  (That's why blacklights are also called "stink finders. )

They are pretty permanent containers. They have been there for years. I will go over all of this with my sister at work and recruit some help with the cleaning. We can also put some smaller shelters in there for warmth. At least I have some time for that as its really hot outside right now. I will get some straw as well. Is it a old idea to put a feeding station in there? Or maybe just a water station?

Also, is there any way to maybe get them to poo and pee in a specific area? It's probably asking too much of what seems to be my new cat colony family but if I could keep them eliminating in one area wouldn't that be cleaner, even for them?

Those containers may turn out to be the best thing for all concerned.  If they get super hot in summer, I would only use them as feeding/sleeping stations in the winter.  Can you put ventilation openings on them?  Maybe not windows but slits at the top of each wall?  If they are big enough, you could also consider putting a couple of litter boxes in there too.  Maybe use one as the sleeping/eating room and another as the potty?

You can use big totes - one tote = two regular litter boxes.  The rule of thumb is one box per cat plus one extra.  You can also prepare an outside latrine.  You can use sand, or just dirt or leaves.  Having it  under cover will help keep it dry for use.  You will probably need more than one, though.  You have you work cut out for you.  God bless you for taking this on!

So, its basically like taking care of my two indoor cats, huh! Lol.

The one storage container has little make-shift kitty doors that let air in and allow the kitties to escape, which they do. The other storage container doesn't. We leave that door cracked but we are thinking about cutting a hole in the back for them. We don't think they go in there too much and we think its because they may feel trapped in there. I also have my brother in law working on some raised feeding stations. He's going to make it a project with his 10 year old son.

I found out hat someone from that low income rental place next to us is feeding the cats. Perhaps I will track her down so we can get on the same page. Maybe that will solve my weekend problem. I think she's just feeding and not trying to contain the population, though.

Partnering with the feeder from the rental nearby will work for all of you.  Between you, all the kitties can be fixed and offered four-star accommodations.

You are right about the cats feeling trapped in the one container.  If there is a way to do so, add a second opening, even a small one (maybe a cat door?).

And your brother-in-law and nephew - man, these kitties have found kitty Nirvana!

Thank you all ...

Wow, I am reading this and am so impressed with you and your family! So many people just turn their heads, you guys have really stepped up for these cats! Online has given great advice! I used to use Rubbermaid containers for feeding stations too. Since it seems you have been able to raise finds, check out Feralvilla.com. I live their feeding stations nd shelters. I believe them to be reasonably priced and they really last. Keep up the good work!

I agree, this is an ideal situation for the cats; I hope you get some Love from them!  Are any of them friendly?  Adoptable?

Thrift stores (Goodwill, etc) are good places to get large tupperware/plastic containers.  Small ones work too; two cats will crawl into them, and they get warm from the others' body heat.

For brutally cold days/nights, there are heating disks  that you can place in the tupperware type container/shelter.

I Just got the mamma cat back from the vet.  She's all good, free of any diseases and whatnot and vaccinated for rabies; however, here is my problem.  The vet people said that they think she is turnable.  She is scared but curious. She hasn't shown any signs of aggression.  WHAT DO I DO? I don't feel right releasing her. They put her at 8 months. WOE IS US.

we released her. I couldn't find anyone to take her :-( I really have to get a house with an extra room that no one uses :-(

With the way you've set things up, you may still be able to work with her and continue the socialization process.  That way, if a home comes along, she'll be ready.  In the meantime, you've given her a chance at a great life.  Considering her circumstances, you've been a life saver for this little girl.  Think about what she would have had to go through without you and pat yourself on the back.

I personally hope you get that house with the extra room.  But you'll end up like all of us who had the extra room - and filled it up long ago. 

Yea, my sister kept saying to me "carrie, what are you even going o do with it once its adoptable?" She knows I'm at my mental limit of two cats at my house.

When we released her we heard what I think was a territorial argument. It didn't involve mamma, it was off to the side and we couldn't see the cats involved but it all just breaks my heart. Once they get fixed will some of that behavior lessen?

Here is a link to a video of our release:

http://m.youtube.com/?reload=9&rdm=...ch?v=ZiMtgIBSgPo&feature=youtube_gdata_player

If I were a cat, I'd want to live there!

We have caught a total of 9 cats the past two weeks. 7 of them have been kittens and two adult females. Today I saw more kittens that I haven't ever seen before. Ugh there seems like there are more cats than I realized. We also did recatch one we've already spayed. It was nice to see she was doing well. I feel like this is a losing battle.

These are the three we've caught this week.

I know, it does seem never ending.  But don't get discouraged.  You are doing a great job!

The ones you posted look young enough to socialize.  I forgot whether you'd been able to contact a rescue group.  They may have a bead on foster homes, if you can't find anyone. The fact that they're already fixed and vaccinated may help find them homes.

If you can't do that, they will be perfectly fine with their colony.    Keep up the good work and again, please don't get discouraged.

The kittens all go to a rescue for care, socialization and adoption. We only release the adult really feral ones.

We have 3 traps now, so maybe we can start making even better progress. I've started making notes on cats I've seen and haven't trapped so I can kind of create a check list.

Oh, I am so glad you have the kittens covered!  You will definitely be making progress now.  Once the major breeders are fixed, your colony will stabilize quickly.

Have you eartipped the cats you've had fixed already?  That's the universal sign that a feral cat has been spayed or neutered.  It really helps if for some reason Animal Control traps one of your cats.  They can then be identified easily.  It also helps you tell who needs trapping and who's been done.

Also, you can take a photo of each cat and keep records for it (when and where trapped, when fixed and vaccinated, description and maybe some info on temperament).  You can add info as each cat acclimates (who seems to be alpha cat, where each of them sleep, etc.)

In my town, there's a central registration of all feral colony caregivers.  They help one another with support and have banded together with a local S/N group to get food and other items for their cats.  The S/N group has been very successful getting grants and currently all cats from the town are S/N for free.

You are doing a great job.  Thanks!