End of the line for Ferals

I have been feeding a feral colony for several years.  I have been able to keep the numbers down by TNR or by adoption or shelter.  I'm sure some of them were put to sleep in the shelter.  My homeowners assoc has now said they will charge me to dispose of them or will put a lien on my home.  They do not support TNR and all the organizations I have called for Ferals to get help will not relocate them or help.  They are all overworked and the shelters are all full.  My neighbors hate the cats.  I have to stop feeding them and the cats do not understand of course, and sit and stare in my windows, waiting.  I am having extreme difficulty dealing with the situation.

just an idea but are there any farms in your area or close by. farmers like barn cats to help keep the rodent population down so you could maybe see if any would take the cats in

This happened to a friend of mine too.  She had worked so hard to TNR a colony and fed them off her patio.  Her HOA told her the cats had to go or they would put a lien on her property and force her to move.  She was able to find someone on a farm who took about 7 of them.  She had to trap them again and transport, but the cats were sparred death.  A few she was unable to retrap and she still continues to feed them secretly.  She used to have shelters for them on her patio, but had to do away with them.  It is so very sad that people do not support the efforts of TNR.  Her ferals did not cause any problems, but the neighbors believed they carried diseases and worried for their safety. 

Please consider trying to find a farm to take them if possible.  It must be heartbreaking watching them cry for food.
 

I can certainly sympathize with you. I "inherited" a colony of 11 cats from a townhouse community when their caretaker moved away. None were fixed, but most were trapped the first time. I knew feeding that many on a property for sale would become a nightmare so I brought the youngest 4 in to socialize. While trying to trap the last reaming female, I would catch another of the older kittens, so I brought those 4 to my home as well. The male just never came back but I kept 2 females there and had permission to feed and shelter them on a neighbor's porch. All was well until ths year when another neighbor complained and I was told to remove the cats or she would.

It is very frustrating to deal with difficult people, I was fortunate that everyone but ths one neighbor supported me, but in the end, I had to move the girls. Ask the HOA for time to relocate them, barns are a good idea, or possibly near where you currently are, where they can be safe. I hope it works out for you, I know how stressed and saddened I was.

I live in a large city so don't know of any farms.

I am sorry this is happening.

Honestly put an ad in the paper, I even found a wonderful person with a barn on Craig's list. Try any horse barns around you, they might be willing to take them in. You might be surprised with what you can find.

Have been feeding 2 fixed kitties who are now semi feral for almost 10 years now. i can pet both kitties and so can my husband.. and In a couple of years maybe less we are retiring and most likely relocating. I am struggling with this terribly because from everything i've read relocating is a tough procedure. One kitty is my boy cats mom.....she always stays in front of our house and my husband brushes her. We live in bklyn and the area is changing to not so animal friendly foreign groups.....any ideas.....this is a heart wrenching situation....there are no barns around here for sure.....so i am scared for them and dont want to abandon them....

marc said:

I live in a large city so don't know of any farms.

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take a drive outside the city and see if there's any farms around and knock on some doors and ask if they'd take in some needy cats. couldn't hurt to try

Definitely try Craigs list.  Also contact the Humane Society or local rescue groups.  You could place an ad in a local paper too.  Ask everyone you know. 
 

Take a look at your city on Google maps satellite view - zoom out farther and farther - you will see where the farm country starts, the patchwork quilt pattern of the land and where the city stops and get the names of the tiny farm towns. This will show you where to focus your advertizing.

marc said:

I live in a large city so don't know of any farms.

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Would you like to tell us what state you are in or city? There are some big rescues in the U.S. In my state Best Friends are huge and even have a sanctuary in the southern part of the state. I'd expand your search as you might find a hidden gem out there. Also you might find a farm within a few hours and a farmer willing to help you move them.