I can't use ignorance on this one.

 About a year ago, my petless wife and I noticed a very malnourished black and white cat meowing in our back yard. I mean we didn't think it would make it. So wanting to help a damsel in distress ( yes we found out it was a she ) I raced to the store to buy a few kinds of food and crunchies. She ate like a horse. I felt good about myself for that. Even when we fed her the next night and the next and so on.  We didn't mind since we didn't have a pet. Well a few weeks later when we noticed she was pregnant, we were overjoyed to look out the back patio window and laugh at the kittens antics. So I built a little apartment for the family with windows and a front door.  They took to it right away cause of the rain. Cute story huh? Well to our dismay, the mother was prego again like right away. First she had 5 then it was 6, and the first ones were almost grown.  Instead of forseeing the obvious future, I built a bigger food tray to accomodate them. Not once did the mother or a kitten would let us touch or hold them. That was some time ago when there was eleven or twelve. Now almost every other night there is about 25. What have I done? The neighbors keep saying don't feed them. Well I tried, but I knew they were still out there waiting for me. They depended on me. I became attached to them to the point where I just couldn't drive them somewhere and let them go. I would have gone back to look for them. Well it has finally starting to come to an end. I am getting bills from my neighbors for damages who once were my friends. I regretfully can't handle the stress anymore. I am looking at websites hoping I can find a non lethal answer. Not having much luck. I mean I'm ready to donate to the cause to keep them alive. What ever it takes. If any one can point me to a solution other than the obvious. I would be ever grateful. Any response would be appreciated. Thank you for letting me vent since i have no more friendly neighbors to talk to.   Rudy

The first thing you need to do is get the cats spayed/neutered.  You will need to humanely trap all of the cats.  The process is called TNR; Trap Neuter Return.  The cats will be trapped, spayed/neutered and returned to your area.  Call rescue groups in your area for help.  They may be able to loan you traps and give you a low cost spay/neuter clinic.  Make sure the cats are all ear tipped which is the universal sign that feral cats have been spayed/neutered.

Spaying and neutering will not only cut down on the population growth, but the behavior of the cats will improve.  Without hormones coursing through their bodies, they will fight less, not wander and no spraying.  It will make your neighbors much happier. 

The rescue group might be able to help you relocate some of the cats too or find homes if any of the cats are social.

Please reach out for help.  If you tell us your location we may be able to assist.

You need to act quickly as the cats will continue to reproduce.

Go to the Alley Cat Allies website and check out their videos on TNR.

Thank you for reaching out for help.

I agree with Shadows Rescue.  This is the trick, so its fairly easy.  Everything is relative, no?

You can also into our  Strays and Ferale forums, where there are many who work with such colonies of semiferales.

So, TNR, and trying to take kittens and these who seems friendly, to foster and adopt out...

Good luck!

Hi Rudy,

I'm in a similar situation for you. I'm currently caring for around 30 semi-feral cats. I started doing TNR and re-homing any kittens I caught young enough to socialise as soon as I moved into this area, about 4 years ago. The colony is smaller and healthier than it was when I first moved here but all the same, 30 cats is nothing to be sneezed at.

TNR is definitely the way to go. I'd suggest putting half the money you spend on food aside to pay to get these cats fixed. They aren't going to starve, outdoor cats will hunt or scavenge what they need, and by stopping them having any more kittens you'll be on the way to getting your colony under control.

As fas as relationships with the neighbours goes you could offer to clean up their gardens if the cats were using it as a toilet. Keeping your own front yard clean and planting some colourful flowers out front helps too. If you put some effort into keeping the neighbourhood looking nice it will be one less thing for people to complain about.

Could you get some neighbours involved in helping you take care of these cats? Anyone who might be willing to ask around and help find a home for any of the kittens?

Taking care of a colony can be really stressful and I've found myself reduced to tears on several occasions, but there are a lot of people out there in the same situation as you. Do a bit of networking in your town, find out who else is doing TNR or re-homing cats. Just having someone close by to share stories with helps a lot.

We're always here for you too. Keep in touch and let us know if you need any more help or advice.