wild cats reproducing over and over at my sisters

I guess this is sort of a rant.  My sister started off with two homeless male cats that moved in to her barn.  So it has been like at least 10 years since this started.  Since then females have moved in and had litters.  And so it goes. they have moved from the barn to her garage.   I can't even guess how many kittens these wild cats have produced.  I'm thinking that they must be totally inbred.  Right now she must have 10 adults there and just had two litters with 11 kittens. and I'm sure more on the way.   A couple of litters died and the other mommas have taken the orphaned ones.   It stinks to high heaven in her house.   You can't stand the smell.   The cats and kittens always have eye junk and worms.  She does take some to the vet.

My sister is always anxious to show off or talk about her new babies.  In past years I expressed that yes a certain one is cute. But in the last years I just can't even get enthused with seeing them.  Sick and diseased.  

So since I had expressed an interest in getting a kitten she said that I had better not get one from someone else.  Well I did anyway.  

Well I just blew that off because there is no way that I could consider getting a wild, flea infested, inbred, diseased kitten.

I know she means well.  And she has no avenue to adopt them all out so it just continues.  

Ugh.  Thanks for listening.  

The worst part of your rant is the fact that those kittens will have kittens, and all of those kittens will, and so on, and so on.

Does your sister not believe in TNR??!

Inbreeding is very common with cats, and shows the vast majority, unless directly bred over and over and over to the same family mem=bers, then they will start having some issues.

This is an awful and cruel, inhumane situation that needs to be dealt with ASAP.

Born feral and no way to deworm or de-flea themselves or other things they need, eye meds, etc, doesn't make them diseased.

I feel very, very sad for them, she feeds them yet has no regard for what is happening?

There is nothing cute about yet another litter who is not being cared for, dewormed, de-flead, vaccinated, eye infections cured, and left unspayed and neutered.

I would almost rather see them taken by animal control than continue with this reproducing madness. It is a cruel existence.

It is no fault of the cats mind you, this is what the laws of nature dictate.

It IS however up to us to intervene and help this kind of thing out.

Why not ask for help from an spca or rescue group??

Honestly she just acts like she is saving the world buy continuing this.    She lives in a small town.    There is really no animal control.  Each time a litter is born is acts excited over all of the new kittens. She names them all.   I just don't get it.  

I agree that this doesn't necessairly makes them diseased  but I don't think they are all that healthy.  Of course some die off here and there from what who knows.  The majority of their diet consists of lunchmeat and hotdogs.   She buys the cheapest lunchmeat and hotdogs there are at Walmart.   She seems to think she is doing them a service by feeding this way.   They get the cheapest dry food as a supplement.   

And then there are the fleas.  And the wild animals that come into the garage.  

They have no vacinations.  

It is sad really and I can't understand how she lets this go on  happiiy, with getting so excited with each new litter.  Honestly I have no idea of a solution and she would not even consider taking advice from me.  Believe me. !!   I cringe when I go to her house.

I 

sherrymyra said:

 
Honestly she just acts like she is saving the world buy continuing this.    She lives in a small town.    There is really no animal control.  Each time a litter is born is acts excited over all of the new kittens. She names them all.   I just don't get it.  

I agree that this doesn't necessairly makes them diseased  but I don't think they are all that healthy.  Of course some die off here and there from what who knows.  The majority of their diet consists of lunchmeat and hotdogs.   She buys the cheapest lunchmeat and hotdogs there are at Walmart.   She seems to think she is doing them a service by feeding this way.   They get the cheapest dry food as a supplement.   

And then there are the fleas.  And the wild animals that come into the garage.  

They have no vacinations.  

It is sad really and I can't understand how she lets this go on  happiiy, with getting so excited with each new litter.  Honestly I have no idea of a solution and she would not even consider taking advice from me.  Believe me. !!   I cringe when I go to her house.

I 

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Lunchmeat and hot dogs?? OMG what in this world could she possibly be thinking? The worst crap garbage imaginable.......all that phoney crap and preservatives, artificial everything...yuk.

Cats are not meant to digest things like that.

No wonder theyre not in decent health. I can't even imagine the cost of lunchmeat and hot dogs vs friskies dry cat food or any other brand for that matter.

They have a very unique individual system that requires certain things, and while the cheapest cat food isn't good compared to better or canned of course is best, but if she cares anything like she acts as she does, she seriously needs to stop feeding that and at least feed something formulated for cats.

What a sad situation, and how tragic life is for those poor cats too.

Just awful, depressing to me.

There is nothing out there for help??

No not really anything for help.   I can't imagine a solution and clearly she isn't trying to find one.  It is really depressing.  

I really can't imagine why she thinks feeding like this is so great.  There is absolutely no nutrition in it and especially for cats.  She thinks she is treating them so special with this junk food.     It just flabergasts me.  

I don't know.  I was visiting my mom over this last weekend and she lives in the same small town.  My sister was so proudly talking about her newest litters.   I just have to shake my head over it.     

Sad situation.

Every county has some kind of animal control/spca/humane society. Why not check it out and see.

The cats are worth it, they do have feelings too, and can't be happy the way things are.

  Welcome to TCS!!!    

Clearly, your sister is having some denial issues.  That said,  perhaps we can help you brainstorm as to how to help those cats!  And if you can at all possibly adopt a second kitten, you could rescue one of hers - inbreeding is not that big of a problem - it is done quite often in registered animals, and since the population explosion, those kitties are probably not as inbred as you'd think. They can be treated for fleas; their eyes washed and a round of antibiotics and worming, and voila! you can get an amazing cat (I have rescued and rehomed ferals for years).  You'd want your first kitten to be up-to-date on shots, though.  (And please know that even showcats get FIP and cancer, so good health is never a total guarantee, even in the best of circumstances - no, I'm not condoning the atrocious behavior of your sis, just trying to be positive on the fact that the situation CAN be improved and eventually, and humanely, solved)

My heart cries for those poor kitties who cannot help themselves - so much suffering!!!  Cats are normally very clean animals, with amazing sense of smell, so their filthy living conditions are truly horrid for them 

Please do not give up hope on your sister and her kitties - I pray that you get some answers very soon.  Meanwhile, keep on caring - it sounds like you will be those cats' only hope 

sherrymyra said:

 My sister started off with two homeless male cats that moved in to her barn.  So it has been like at least 10 years since this started.  Since then females have moved in and had litters.

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sherrymyra said:

 
It is sad really and I can't understand how she lets this go on  happiiy, with getting so excited with each new litter.  Honestly I have no idea of a solution

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Your sister has no one to blame but herself for letting this get so out of control over the past TEN YEARS! You can imagine how infuriating this is to us here on TCS to read about this. This is worse than sad. It is extremely cruel and neglectful. You want a solution? The only one is to begin getting all of the adults fixed. Start calling all vet's looking for a low-cost clinic, all TNR organizations with counties surrounding your area, (not sure where you live), all shelter's and rescues. All the kittens need to be taken to local shelter's for adoption. All the adults need to be neutered. If I were you, I would not stand for this, sister or not. I would be over there taking cats away one by one. She is heartless and careless (AND, I am being nice calling her that - believe me - I have other words). There is not much more we can help you with other than to encourage you to do something to stop the suffering at your sister's barn.

This just makes my heart ache as well as my blood boil.  This is why our nation is in such a mess with so many unwanted, unloved and uncared for cats.  It is irresponsible people like your sister who contribute to this massive problem.  The poor kittens who will be left to reproduce, often too young to have litters themselves.  It is also so sad that no vet care or proper nutrition is given. 

Please please please call someone.  There has to be something in her county.  Maybe a vet can help.  Send your sister information on TNR.  She has the power to help this situation. 

Thank you so much for caring and coming to look for help.

sherrymyra said:

Of course some die off here and there from what who knows.

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Why would anyone allow that to happen - continually??? This doesn't make sense to me why no one in your family or yourself has done anything to stop the breeding.

I have another question for you. Why have you waited TEN YEARS to reach out for help???? Also - if your sister says she will call the police if you try to take the cats away, then say "GOOD - call them". Because, the police will come and see the suffering and may be the ones to knock some sense into your sister, or else. Most police officers are animal lover's and do deal with calls like this all the time. In fact, add the police on your list of calls to try to get help for the suffering and abused cats.

Also - since you say some are so sick (and have died ) then make sure you take the extremely sick ones and bring them to a vet to put them out of their misery. Your sister will have their blood on her hands, if she even cares. Since you came here for advice on what to do - DO SOMETHING !!!!!!!!! ANYTHING !!!!!!!!!!! Then your heart will begin to feel better and heal knowing you saved cats from more suffering.

Rather than post here so you can feel better about venting and make us feel worse for listening, why not as others have suggested call her local or county animal care and control officer and get something actually done?  Make a difference in the lives of these cats?  Simply venting has zero effect on the cats.  Again you feel better for venting.  The cats don't feel better at all.

It would not be that easy to do this since this is my sister.  She is not apt to take an action like that in stride and honestly could make our relationship difficult.    I will try to approach something with her but not likely that she would take it  well.  

I'm not sure what I was expecting posting this here.  I wasn't trying to make myself feel better.  It is a sad situation.    I'm sorry to have only managed to make you all feel bad as well as myself.   

You're right it won't be easy to report her to Animal Control.  She is your sister.  You've done a good thing which is to recognize that your sister has a problem.  She wouldn't know that it was you who reported her to animal control.  I'm sure there are many people who know she has a problem and any one of them could report her.  Yes i realize there is family loyalty, but if she was doing this to children would you let her?  You are the one person in the world who is most able to make a difference in this situation and yet you don't.  That's your choice. But we at TCS don't have to participate.  With all respect, unless you're willing to do something positive for these cats, I would suggest that you stop posting about them.

Better yet, pick up the phone, find your animal control officers and try to intervene.  Or start talking to your sister and work on her.

Those who save animals do it one animal at a time. Those who don't just talk about it.   Decide who you are,  one who talks, or one who does. Then either accept who you are, or change.

I will check to see what kind of animal control there is in that area.  

It feels to me that you really did not read all of our posts above completely because you still don't take a stand on this issue and say that you are willing to save these innocent little kittens/cats. All you heard was that we made you feel worse and that you made us feel bad. Our only concern is the welfare of the cats at your sister's barn. :shame: It seems to me that you are not willing to take action regardless of whether this is your sister or not. It is wrong, cruel and she needs to be stopped. If you are not going to take any action, then find someone who will. It shouldn't matter if that is your sister. You know there are cats suffering by her hand and I would never, ever stand for that; family member or not. In fact, I would not care about losing that relationship because we would be from two different planets anyway. Posting here any further without taking a stand on behalf of those who desperately need someone is futile.

Copying what Stephen (thank you, Stephen ) wrote above because I think you need a push. A big push to do something.

Those who save animals do it one animal at a time. Those who don't just talk about it. Decide who you are, one who talks, or one who does. Then either accept who you are, or change.

sherrymyra said:

I will check to see what kind of animal control there is in that area.  

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Now your talking. Be brave and courageous. You will feel good in your heart doing so. We WILL support you here IF you take this stand. Please keep us posted and good luck. I know this is not an easy thing to do BUT only think of the cats right now and your goal. In the end, you will win.

sherrymyra said:

 
It would not be that easy to do this since this is my sister.  She is not apt to take an action like that in stride and honestly could make our relationship difficult.    I will try to approach something with her but not likely that she would take it  well.  

I'm not sure what I was expecting posting this here.  I wasn't trying to make myself feel better.  It is a sad situation.    I'm sorry to have only managed to make you all feel bad as well as myself.   

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I do understand this IS your sister, and not wanting to damage your relationship with her, so why not make an anonymous call that will get this situation fixed once and for all WITHOUT it pointing the finger at you?

We are all very caring, compassionate people on here. But think about it, you came to a cat site, where we are rescuers, advisers for people with questions in many different areas, behavior, health, TNR/ferals, pregnant cats and kittens, and many, many others. When we are made aware of a situation as your sister's,  by you, who has been witnessing this happening through the years, and anyone else, mom, whoever,  well we can't very well scold her, we can't do anything about it (that is unless you want to pm me her address I will be MORE than happy to make that call for you!) so you take a beating so-to-speak as we need to hear that you care about the cats welfare and will step in and help, not sound disgusted by these poor neglected kitties.

So it's nothing personal, we don't know you, but you DO have the means to help, and get them help, rather than vent, take action!

We are more than happy to give you all of the support you need here, who to call, what to say, anything that will help.

We just see a sad dead end here is what it comes down to.

sherrymyra said:

 
I will check to see what kind of animal control there is in that area.  

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That is a fantastic start!  Have courage. Be the voice for these animals in need. 

Oh S sherrymyra what a sad, sad situation.

I haven't seen it mentioned yet, but it sure sounds to me like your sister will need more than just help with the cats. The way you describe her excitement at the litters - but the cats not being properly cared for or fed, her home smelling - likely from unaltered males spraying (and who knows what else)... not acknowledging the problems, not feeding them properly... I suspect your sister fits the profile of an animal hoarder.

Of course you can look into resources to see what can be done to get the cats spayed and neutered. I take it there aren't low cost resources in your area? Maybe we could help search, if you give us a county name and state? (This is in the U.S.?)

Or you can take a look at these links, and seek help for her:

http://vet.tufts.edu/hoarding/

http://www.paws.org/animal-hoarding.html

http://www.aspca.org/fight-cruelty/animal-hoarding

http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/confessions-animal-hoarding/lists/top-5-ways-help-hoarder.htm


:heart2:

sherrymyra said:

 
I will check to see what kind of animal control there is in that area.  

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Or at least tell us your state or province.