Running out of time

I have 4 feral cats that I might have to put to sleep and I am heartbroken. I have tried finding someone to take them and care for them but I'm not having any luck. I live in a rental and my landlord passed away a few years ago, I just found out that the place I have lived in for almost 12 year is going back to the bank. I have asked the neighbors if I could put up a feeding station next to their house but she said no right away. My other neighbors don't like that I have the cats. I won't leave them here as I have been caring for them since they were all very young. I am so upset and don't know what to do.

I am so sorry. This sounds like such a difficult situation for you. Are there any rescues in your area that might be able to help, at least offer suggestions? Are you far from semi-rural areas? Maybe you could try placing them as barn cats somewhere?

just wondering how you got on?

So far I am still living in my place and will stay here as long as I can. It has not been sold yet or taken back my the bank. I do know that I will most likely have to put all 4 of them to sleep when the time comes which just breaks my heart. I have been trying to find them a place for over a year and it doesn't look like it's going to happen. I don't even want to think about it. They are like my own pets and we have this bond. I have been caring for the mama cat for 5 years and her daughters turned 4 this year. All I can do is stay here until I am served with papers to get out.

thanks for the update.its a terrible situation.i cannot even grasp the way you feel.it must be a living nightmare.not knowing whats going to happen with your home.then the added worry of the cats.i suppose you tried an animal shelter? its awful that noone can help you.that you have to carry this burden alone.i hope and pray that some one comes forward and gives you a helping hand through this. keep in touch please.

I can't understand why you'd put 4 feral cats to sleep.  They are probably very happy where they are and will continue to be happy where they are after you're gone. Ferals are remarkably adept at finding food and moving to find food if necessary.  They are old enough that they know how to live outside successfully.  I can't imagine why you think having them PTS is kinder for them than leaving them where they are.

I also see no reason to put them down.  My neighborhood (we live in the country) has a colony of feral cats. I try to trap them if I can- so far only caught one, and got him neutered/vaccinated.  I found one kitten from the colony and adopted it.  I do not think the ferals are doing badly here. There are large guinea hens that lay eggs and roam the neighborhood. We have rabbits as well.  My cat has brought dead birds and rabbits home before.  I find pieces of them the next day.

I think my cats would do perfectly fine without me feeding them.  There was an episode of Nature on tv today showing feral cats hunting. They are amazing hunters!

Have you tried more than one neighbor? Chances are there is someone in your area with a pet cat who won't mind leaving food out.

You could try trapping them and domesticating them. Take them to the vet first to get them neutered/spayed/vaccinated- you may be able to get a feral cat voucher from the humane society or animal services to cover their vet visit.  When you take them home, don't release them. Put them in your bathroom. Try feeding them meat scraps and making friends with them. If they are too vicious you can always leave your front door open and let them make their own way out of the house.

Have you tried putting up fliers at feed stores for horses/cattle? There may be a barn that wants them.

Not sure where you are at, but try googling operation catnip. They may be able to put you in touch with someone in your area who can help.

It is only $25 where I live to get a feral cat spayed, wormed, and vaccinated.  It is only $40 at another low cost clinic- I use them for my cats as they don't clip the ear like they do with ferals.

snuggle cat, youre a bit like myself.you think if you move away and leave these cats they will miss you feeding them.yes they probably would.for a while anyway.it would break your heart leaving them. but surely it would break your heart more knowing that you had ended there lives.wouldnt a life hunting for scraps and rodents be better than no life at all? maybe you could find somewhere nearby to live and visit them. sorry i hope you dont feel your being told off.were all just trying to let you see theyre are other options.please keep in touch.xo

kittybelle said:

snuggle cat, youre a bit like myself.you think if you move away and leave these cats they will miss you feeding them.yes they probably would.for a while anyway.it would break your heart leaving them. but surely it would break your heart more knowing that you had ended there lives.wouldnt a life hunting for scraps and rodents be better than no life at all? maybe you could find somewhere nearby to live and visit them. sorry i hope you dont feel your being told off.were all just trying to let you see theyre are other options.please keep in touch.xo

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I just wanted to add that I definitely hope my tone was okay as I did not mean to tell you off or be rude at all.  I just think you are drastically underestimating the cats ability to recover from your no longer feeding them.  As they are outdoors 100% of the time, it is likely their lives will be shorter than some other cats, but it is very unlikely (IMO) that their lives will end due to starvation whether or not you keep feeding them.

I can't imagine what you're going through-so much stress from so many directions! But I agree with tulosai-I know it would be horribly hard to leave them, and I too would worry & feel guilty (although truly no reason for it-you have done & are doing so much) if I wasn't there to feed. But definitely don't underestimate the ability of cats -if necessary-to scrap & fend for themselves. Plus--I'm always amazed at the ability if cats to "handle things emotionally." Not that I feel they don't love the people who care for them (I feel that ferals do come to trust & care) .... but I am always amazed at how quickly they adapt. You never know-a new caretaker could wander into their lives -or they could wander into the caretakers-& they may make a new person as happy to help care for as they've made you!!! I personally just wouldn't make the leap to putting them down if they're healthy--cats are tough creatures.

I really don't know what will happen but I have been told by neighbors that if I don't do something with them when I move that they will take care of the situation. I have been protecting them from horrible people I live around. One guy across the street traps cats in his back yard and we don't know what he does to them but it's not a good outcome for them. His wife has actually shot a cat while being in the trap and let me remind you this cat was someones pet. My cats one time were some how trapped under my place, I live in a duplex. I had not seen them in days and that is not normal as they are here every morning and evening. Mama cat was at the screen vent when I saw her trying to get out, I cut it open and all 4 of my cats were under there. Mama cat was to weak to jump out so I had to get a board that reached down under the house. People that live in the other half of the duplex had trapped my cats under their porch and I had to beg them to let them out, it took me 2 days to get them to let the cats out. I don't think they would live long here just because the neighbors hate that I'm feeding them and they all know I feed feral cats. I have been feeding all of them since they have been old enough to eat cat food. Yes, they are all spayed through the TNR program. The thought of my neighbors killing them in a horrible way is just to much for me to handle. Just trying to get some of you to understand that it's not that easy just to walk away knowing what I know with the neighbors. I have not given up on searching for a place for them. I can not take them into my home, I have an indoor cat and she hates other cats. I don't have the room to bring them in and when I move it will be to a smaller place and I am on housing so it's not like I can take them with me. Trust me I will do what I can to find someplace for them but I can't leave them here.

Snuggle cat. what an awful situation. i didnt realise things were this bad.you're so loving and kind.yet these neighbours from hell???? i can see now why you imagined putting them to sleep would be kinder than leaving them to the mercy of these cat haters.hopefully your place wont sell for ages.i hope some one out there reads these posts and can help you rehome your furry friends.the country side seems a good option.but maybe you live too far from it to make it feasible.i know in my heart you are doing the best you can to find them somewhere.would you consider separating them? maybe rehome 2 together.bye for now. thanks for the update. keep in touch.sending you a big hug xo

I have some bad news, papers were posted on my door yesterday. The place is in Default and it will be put up for auction. The man who delivered the papers said that it will probably happen some time in the new year. I have done nothing but cry. I was hoping I would have found a home for them by now. It's also hard for me to think of never seeing them again. They live on my front porch at all times, it's not like they only come to eat and then leave. I have 2 shelters for winter, they like to lay on a blanket on my front porch and I sit outside and talk to them all the time. They all have names and even come when I call their name. The only thing I can't do is touch them, sometimes I can touch Snickers and Maddie.

Please send prayers my way for my fur babies......thanks