Your opinions on animal communicators

msaimee

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 21, 2013
Messages
1,850
Purraise
1,697
Location
Western PA
I'm interested in whether any of you have ever consulted an animal communicator/psychic to communicate with your feral or non-feral cat, and if you feel there was any reality to the experience. A family member of mine is studying reiki, and last summer gave an intriguing reading on my outdoor feral, and about two thirds of what she said was plausible (but I don't buy the notion that in a former life he was an Egyptian royalty cat). I also consulted with a professional animal communicator a few months ago on two different situations--one involving my outdoor feral, and one involving a distressed stray I was trying to rescue. A lot of the info she gave on my feral seemed accurate, but she was unable to give specific info on the stray, and some of what she said about the stray was inaccurate (she thought it was healthy, but it turned out that after the Humane Society trapped it, the cat was FIV positive and they euthanized him). Are animal communicators, in your opinion, just experts in the field of human psychology, animal behavior, and specifically feral cat behavior, and give their readings based on this knowledge, or do you think they are actually able to communicate with animals?

If they are able to communicate with our cats, then how do we balance our role as our cats' caregivers with their desire to be independent and make their own choices (i.e. if a cat expresses that he does not want to be neutered or trapped). How do we balance our desire to find a way to get our feral inside our homes in dangerously cold weather or to a vet for treatment if they're injured or ill with their desire to stay outside and allow us to care for them in that capacity (giving antibiotics in their food, providing outdoor shelter). Are these cats intelligent and sensitive animals that we are responsible to care for once we begin feeding them, whether the care involves something they don't want, or are they soulful beings capable of making their own decisions?

I'm open minded on the subject and would like some honest, respectful feedback. We are obviously a group of people who care deeply about ferals and strays or we wouldn't be posting on this forum and doing so much to save these cats. I hope we can have a meaningful exchange of ideas, and that my post won't be removed because it's too controversial. ALL opinions are welcome
 

ritz

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Apr 2, 2010
Messages
4,656
Purraise
282
Location
Annapolis, MD
I've used an animal communicator twice (same one), and found her insight (especially the first time) invaluable. She really keyed into Ritz' personality, and was dead on with some of her findings. She was fairly accurate/useful the second time, though perhaps not so much about food sensitivities and/or holistic remedies. I also used a homeopathic vet; his remedies also didn't work well. Both people were recommended to me by members of The Cat Site, and had more success than I did (especially with homeopathic/holistic remedies).
I've never used (or needed to use) her to communicate with feral/stray cats but would if the situation arises. I do feed a small community cat colony.
This is her website/contact information.

Regarding your other questions, kind of out of my realm of thinking these days. That said, I do believe cats have souls (what ever your definition of Soul is); that cats go to what ever your definition of Heaven is; that cats have feelings and ideas. Perhaps that addresses indirectly the question of: if the AC advises you that Twiddledee should be indoors only and Tdee thinks otherwise, then you have to weigh Tdees unique personality (how successful is he dumpster diving; comfort with people) versus reality (20 inch snow storm coming, below zero temperatures; has a bum paw). The AC has insight; but she/he is not All Knowing.
Oh and PS: FIV is not a death sentence by any means. Many FIV+ cats live a very long time. Though interestingly enough you raise another good question: how much of an animal communicator's reading is based on the AC's personal belief system. Maybe this AC had a cat who died of FIV prematurely, i.e., some other underlying disease.
PPS: oh, and I'd go to someone who has lots of experience in animal communication, not so much about Reiki. To use an example, I'm not going to go to a lawyer who specializes in immigration if my problem has to do with wills and estate.
 

catwoman707

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 16, 2011
Messages
7,689
Purraise
2,263
Location
Vallejo, CA
I will share my experiences but don't have time right now so posting here so I will get email reminders :)
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #4

msaimee

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 21, 2013
Messages
1,850
Purraise
1,697
Location
Western PA
Ritz, the AC didn't pick up on any health issues of all regarding the stray cat, except for hunger and possibly a sore paw. The Humane Society had a TNR program at that time (they lost their vet and TNR program recently), and were able to trap the stray before I was. The next day when I went over to the shelter to inquire about the cat, they said he had been put down because he tested FIV positive. I was upset because plenty of cats test false positive for FIV, which is not even a death sentence--but the HS does not adopt out cats ore release them with FIV. But the AC wasn't able to pick up on anything wrong with him. Also, she couldn't say for sure what his sex was--only that it was either a female or an immature male. But she said the cat was about 5 years old, so how could it be an immature male? HS told me it was a male. So I don't understand how she couldn't pick up on that. What I do feel badly about, though, is that she was telling the cat to go into the carrier and stay in there the next time someone tried to trap him so he could be fed and cared for. That same day, he went into the carrier of a HS staff and was euthanized. So if she did really communicate with him, I feel badly. I don't know if the HS had already trapped him before my session with her that day, though, so I really don't know what happened.  A lot of what she said about my outdoor feral, though, seemed accurate and plausible.

You're right about my family member. She's only been studying reiki a few years, and the only animal she's tried to communicate with has been my outdoor feral, Muffin She's also not familiar with the ways of ferals, or cats in general. She feels I have too many control issues with Muffin because I'm so focused on wanting him to come inside my house, and trying to figure out a way to re-trap him to neuter him and get him to a vet. She says he and I are engaged in a power struggle and that it has strained my relationship with him because he feels I don't trust him and that I am trying to interfere with his life path. On one level, I think he does pick up on my anxieties over him and knows what I want to do, and does not want what I want. (I did trap him 2 years ago and had him confined in a room in my house for 3 days, and then released him--that's a long story.) On the other hand, it would be in his best interest, like it or not, to get trapped, neutered, and receive vet care. The only problem is that he is trap savvy and I'm unable to grab him. So it will be up to him to decide to come inside my house on his own accord, unless he is so sick or injured that I am able to catch him. I am torn between honoring his free will and wanting to be a responsible caregiver by figuring out a way to trap him!. This is a VERY smart and strong willed cat! The other ferals my neighbors and I have trapped, fixed, and taken into our homes
(his offspring and girlfriends) are very different, and have adjusted to contented lives indoors, but this one is a true feral. We are so spiritually connected that I think at this point it's impossible for me to deceive or trick him. I know that sounds very silly to many of you because he's just an animal! But both my family member and the AC have said many of the same things about him, namely that he regards me as his true friend but does NOT want to risk losing his independence and freedom. Interestingly, he has not brought any more cats to me in a year, so perhaps he is not mating for some reason, or there is another caregiver somewhere.   
 

ritz

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Apr 2, 2010
Messages
4,656
Purraise
282
Location
Annapolis, MD
Interesting, thanks for the background/information. That explains a lot.
The animal communicator I used may very well have picked up anxiety on my part, which I *know* I transmit to Ritz, especially surrounding feeding issues. And I am perhaps *too* bonded with Ritz, I don't have enough emotional distance.
Nevertheless, what the AC said spurred me on to get back into therapy (a long story....) which no doubt will help Ritz too in the long run.
I'm a little hard-lined/have tunnel vision when it comes to spay/neuter: it is almost always beneficial to all cats, including the female cat you don't see because she and the kittens died during child birth, thanks to an un-neutered male. In my opinion, once a cat is s/n, she/he is free to live outside if she/he wants to. I may wish the cat would stay indoors but assuming the area isn't inherently dangerous (below zero, sadistic neighbors, lots of foxes and coyotes), then I regretfully let the cat decide.
Sooooo, I'd try to win Muffin's trust, feed him regularly, open the door to your home during horrid weather, and try to trap him. (Have you tried a drop trap, they are usually less scary than a humane trap.)
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #6

msaimee

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 21, 2013
Messages
1,850
Purraise
1,697
Location
Western PA
I didn't really want to get into a conversation about neutering Muffin. He's been trapped before and not only won't go into a trap again, but when I was trying to trap his offspring, would nudge them out if they started to go into one. I've tried grabbing him when he was seriously ill, and also picked up his house with him in it when he was ill to get the house into my house. He always gets away because he is quicker than I am and seems to sense when I'm up to something. He's tip-toed into my house a few times, but gets out before I can close the door. I've been taking care of him for 3 years and he trusts me, but he will not be tricked or trapped at this point.

But I really would like to get back to the subject of the thread and the questions I've posed about animal communicators.
 

ondine

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Nov 20, 2008
Messages
5,312
Purraise
780
Location
Burlington, North Carolina
I've never used an animal communicator but would if I needed to.  I do believe we have the same life spirit as animals - they just belong to another nation, as some wise person once said.  (I forget who but it stuck!)

I remember when I was very young, less than six, and someone told me my kitten could not go to heaven with me.  I told them that I wasn't going to heaven, either, if animals couldn't come!  Woo - my mom was mad at me.  Not for what I said but because I said it!

I am a very logical, practical person - sometimes I say things out loud that offend people because I am looking at the situation in a very dry, practical way.  Things have to make sense to me.  But I believe if I only use part of my abilities to sense and interpret things (i.e the five senses) , I am robbing myself of critical info.

Truthfully, I believe thinking that animals have no spirit is what leads people to mistreat them.  They think there are no consequences.  Boy, are they in for a surprise!!! 
 

catwoman707

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 16, 2011
Messages
7,689
Purraise
2,263
Location
Vallejo, CA
Okay, so the first time in my rescue group we used an ac was with one of the board members Kris, who had been caring for 3 ferals at her work for years, who suddenly disappeared.

The ac told her that the 3 went off exploring nearby and ran into a pack of fox.

She said that the first was attacked and killed fast, that the second one nearly got away until another fox joined in the chase, as fox are sly, and will hunt animals their size and bigger even because of the way they work together to take the animal down.

The third got away, and was staying away, out of fear, and she described a place with old cars lined in rows.

Kris thought she would check around, and found a business nearby that stores old/classic cars and sells their parts.

She did not see the cat around, and left her number.

Sure enough, that exact cat the ac described that survived had been seen maybe a week later, and they called her.

She went but the cat just hid and wouldn't show himself.

She was sad and missed him, and could only talk to him and tell him.

After maybe 3 weeks or so, the cat came back to her job. 

That one was more detailed but this gives the idea.

Me being a skeptic that I am, I thought how cool it was anyway, but of course wondered if Kris gave the ac any info on them, etc.

The thing that got me is, the lone survivor was the one the ac told her it was. All 3 were different colored cats.

So, my personal encounter with this same ac...

I have a feral cat who lives here in my cat room named Destiny.

After her being here and recovering for a year, I was concerned for her. She was so sensitive and delicate, and I wanted to know if she was happy or if she wanted to be someplace else.

So when I contacted the ac, I told her only this-

Female cat, alive. I sent her this picture.


Destiny is her name. PERIOD.

She asked me what did I want to say or know, and I said I want to know if she remembers where she is from, and if she is happy. No further elaboration in any way. I wanted to see just what she could come up with, being the skeptic I am :)

Here is her reply. Her name is Renee.

As I make a connection with Destiny I ask..

Renee:  Hi Destiny, is that you?

Destiny:  Yes, and you know I'm fragile and sensitive.  I have a traumatic past.  I'm still uncertain about my past, what is real and what is not.  I get anxious and I really don't like that feeling.  What to do, what to do.

R:  Yes, I do get a strong sense that you'd like to forget most of your youth and I'm so sorry for your pain.  It is pain, emotional and physical, am I receiving that clearly?

D:  Yes, crystal clear.

R:  Do you actually remember where you came from?

D:  I'd prefer not to and what I do remember is unpleasant.  I have bad dreams sometimes and that gives me angst.

R:  I'm sorry honey, I will make some suggestions to your person Lisa about some helpful remedies to ease your angst.

R:  Would you share what or how you feel about your person Lisa?

D:  I'm grateful for what she has done and for caring for me in the gentlest way ever.  I know she knows I am troubled and have trust issues.  It does take time and I hope she has the patience for me.  I know she gets frustrated, I just get scared and nervous.  I'm still not sure of my own self.  Sometimes I just want to die.  I want these fleeting memories that haunt me to stop or just go away.  I remember needles and sharp things and heat.  Oh the burning, I just want the memories to go away.

R:  Honey, Destiny, I am very sorry, so sorry.  I wish I could take your trauma and painful memories away.  Listen.  Know this much, you are in safe, good and loving hands now.  Nothing terrible or unpleasant is ever going to happen to you again.  Trust Lisa, please.  She will continue to be gentle.

D:  This is the end of the line for me.  No more places to go.  I need one good safe sanctuary to be at peace and calm and to find a feel good place within.

R:  I will make certain that Lisa understands your needs.  I'm also picking up that you'd like a different name.  Am I on track here?

D:  Yes, I would love a different name.  Something that describes beauty.  (Here is where a huge sense of sadness and grief took over and I broke down and cried for her)

R:  I think we just got you a new name.  Beauty.  What do you think?

D:  I LOVE it!  Beauty, that is beautiful!

R:  Yes, it describes you!

D / Beauty:  Thank you,  A new name, a permanent home, I feel better already.  I'm hungry, let's eat.

R:  You got it girl.  Remember that you are in a safe place and can trust.  Only loving and good things can happen.  I'll ask Lisa to hang in there with patience.  I love you Beauty, you have won my heart and I support your journey to well being and a place of feeling sane and normal.

Beauty  shows me a vision of herself as she takes in a deep breath, sighs relief and rests her head down on her front paws.

NOW-Let me tell you Destiny's history. The picture was taken the day I opened her cage and let her be free, she was healed perfectly. 

I trapped her, found her at a feral colony, she was not there often, and once I caught first sight of her I literally dreaded getting her, because I knew it wasn't gonna be good.

She was not white, but brown. Dark brown legs.

Large bald, bloody patches from chewing, she had a bad case of lice. She lived a life of a piece of garbage.

She was barely alive, weak, sick, she had a huge matt of fur stuck in her lower teeth for so long she could not close her mouth and it actually formed into her gums.

Worst of all, her ears. They were black, bloody, pussy, split, curled and horrifying looking. They were advanced with cancer. 

She was going to be euthanized and I just couldn't allow this to happen to her, I needed to give her a good life, so I kept her here with me.

Renee had no way to know ANYTHING about her condition or the kind of pain/suffering she had endured from her ears. This is why I cropped her pic so she wouldn't know they were amputated.

The very pain that Renee said Destiny described is exactly what her ear cancer would have felt like. Burning, needles, so much pain.

The name Beauty? I spent hours in the cat room bonding with her, and would tell her all the time, everyday, you are going to be a beauty, just what you deserve, just give it time, you will be the beautiful girl you always wanted to be.

Unfortunately the name change never stuck but it's okay, she is used to her name :)

I trapped her 5 years ago now, and I gave her a good 5 years she never would have had. 

Destiny is currently going through kidney failure, and has become quite thin, but she is still happy here. I adore her.

So, yes, I AM a believer in ac, I don't think all of them are as good, just as vets and doctors, painters, etc.
 
Last edited:

catwoman707

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 16, 2011
Messages
7,689
Purraise
2,263
Location
Vallejo, CA
Sorry for the long post above!! Jeez...

I meant to also add that she was spot on about Destiny's personality.

She is the most gentle, sensitive cat I have ever seen.

All cats regardless of personality and dominance issues, have ALL loved her, even dominant females. She makes them love her, with her gentle, loving persuasion. Her unintimidating ways, her passiveness.

She gets stressed/upset easily still, with strangers, or when I want to flea treat her, very sensitive. She is a true feral cat, but she loves me, she knows I saved her. I can pet her.

Renee's comment about Destiny saying she feels better now, let's eat? Funny because she did get a bit overweight before her kidney issue recently, because she had starved so much prior, she seemed to really love eating anytime she wanted to.
 
Last edited:
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #10

msaimee

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 21, 2013
Messages
1,850
Purraise
1,697
Location
Western PA
What beautiful stories, catwoman! Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Can you PM me a link to the AC? Does she still practice?

Do sorry to hear about Destiny's kidney problems. I'm glad you've been able to give her a wonderful 5 years so far.
 

irinasak

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Jul 23, 2013
Messages
410
Purraise
66
Location
Romania
@catwoman707 reading yours and your cats experiences brought tears to my eyes.

@MsAimee I have used an animal communicator twice. First time I asked her to do a reading on all of my 3 kitties, the second time I needed more help to figure out why Harley was constantly crying at night. I opened a thread about this: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/276088/animal-communicator-communicating

She totally nailed some things, like Sophie having a stomach/lower GI issue and being mildly dehydrated, but she also wasn't able to help me figure out why Harley was crying. For me, coincidence or not, the most important thing after this experience was that Amelie decided to trust as a little bit more and now she definitely has a strong bond with my bf (before using the AC I was desperate I didn't know what else to do to bond with her).

I can't figure out how much is intuitive guessing and good use of psychology and how much is really communicating, but is was my decision to believe an AC could make the bond between me and my cats stronger, and with Amelie I really felt that someone else should tell her that is is ok to trust me.
 

catwoman707

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 16, 2011
Messages
7,689
Purraise
2,263
Location
Vallejo, CA
 
What beautiful stories, catwoman! Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Can you PM me a link to the AC? Does she still practice?

Do sorry to hear about Destiny's kidney problems. I'm glad you've been able to give her a wonderful 5 years so far.
Thank you so much.

I will send you her contact info.

@IrinaSaK  I'm the same way, last night when I posted all this, it brought it all back to me again and I cried as I posted. 

Even though I have given Destiny a life she never knew existed, good, full, safe, loved, it will always ache my heart that she lived a life so ugly, and so sad and empty.

There are so many out there just like her too. Lost, scared, hungry, no sense of belonging in this world. That is my softest spot.

I wish I could take that suffering away from every living creature who ever feels these things. It's just wrong to exist like this.

Every time I read the communication between Renee and Destiny, I can't help but believe there is something very real here. How did she know Destiny is like a fragile doll, or her past, how ugly and much suffering she had? From a nice looking healthy cat picture, and simply her name, that she is still on this earth, her traumatic past, the description of her pain, or how about the simple fact that she is living here with me even? I never said that at all, it could have been any cat, anywhere since I have a rescue group.
 
Last edited:

shadowsrescue

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Apr 27, 2011
Messages
7,022
Purraise
5,083
Location
Ohio
I have used two different animal communicators for about 10 years.  The first lady I used was incredible with pets that had passed.  When I got into rescuing cats and had some many cats surrounding me, it all got a bit muddled.  I sought someone new and for the most part I have been very very happy with the results.  A few of the things she told me were very hard for me to process.  When my first feral started hanging around I became very focused on transitioning him into the house.  Of course I had no idea what I was doing at the time!!  Our resident cat, Jake was a mess.  He was so angry with my sweet Shadow.  Jake kept getting herpes flare ups and each one he got sicker and sicker.  When I called the AC, she spoke with Jake and he was so afraid that this feral was going to take his place.  He wanted to be an only cat.  After a lengthy talk with him, he told her that his illnesses were a start to his decline.  He would keep getting sick and eventually die if I brought the feral inside.  He also told the AC that I had bought him a new cat condo, but he wanted it upstairs in his boys room ( my son's room).  I was stunned when Jake described to her my son's room and exactly where the condo should be placed. I stopped trying to bring the feral inside and we moved the condo.  It was miraculous to see.  Jake was once again happy and felt much more secure.  The herpes infections cleared up too.

She also was so very accurate about one of my ferals, Patches.  He was a wandering soul, but spent his late falls and winters on my deck with Shadow.  I called him my gentle giant as he was huge, but such a gentle spirit.  He was very skittish, but eventually came around and allowed a few pets.  I tried TNRing him a few times and always failed.  When I asked the AC about trapping him, he told her that if I ever trapped and neutered him he would leave and never come back.  I was certain she was wrong.  Patches went on his "walk about" and was gone for 5 months, when he came back I tried again to trap him with no luck.  He stayed most of the winter with me and in mid March, I decided to try again as I knew it would be warming up and he would wander for a mate again.  This time I was successful.  It was a traumatic trapping and he did not do well.  The spay/neuter clinic had a difficult time with him when he came out of anesthesia as he thrashed and thrashed in the trap.  After I released him, true to form he never ever returned.  I had many AC sessions to try and ask him to come back.  He said I robbed his spirit.  I knew it was the right thing to do, but I also knew it may not have been the right thing for Patches. 

Of course the AC has been wrong about some things too.  She once told me that one of my ferals was wanting cheese.  I knew he wouldn't eat it, but did try and he refused it.  She also is not very good about giving me locations.  When I was searching for Patches she always told me he wasn't too far away and described a few landmarks.  None of them every made sense to me. 

I will be calling the AC I use in the next few weeks as I recently trapped another feral, and upon release he too has not returned.  It has been 11 days now.  He had a hard time being in the trap overnight after the neuter. 

The lady I use allows the session to be about as many animals as you like.  You can do 30 or 60 minute session or once she has read your animals you can do a quick 15 minute check in.  She asks for an emailed photo of the animals.  I get to ask any question I like at that moment.  She also will do full body scans and clearing work. 
 

ldg

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jun 25, 2002
Messages
41,310
Purraise
842
Location
Fighting for ferals in NW NJ!
I'll write more later on the subject. I use an animal communicator and love her dearly. IMO, animal communication is going to have issues, ACs won't always be right, and I think there are "translation" issues at times. But for us it has been an invaluable tool and help.

As to the FIV, I don't think identifying the cat as "not sick" is inaccurate. FIV doesn't mean a cat is sick. :dk: Many cats are carriers of various things: herpes virus, calici virus, coronavirus, or let's say round worm or tapeworm... but they're not sick. :dk:

Also, research from 2008 or 2009 indicates that the ELISA testing in-office provides false positives 32% of the time (for FIV). :( He may well not have been infected. :(
 

astrael

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
Jan 2, 2014
Messages
72
Purraise
24
Hmmm... I've never used an animal communicator, and doubt I will. I certainly won't look down on anyone who does though. In all honestly, I'd much rather focus on learning to communicate with each cat myself. I've always loved learning languages, and with animals, you essentially create a language to use between yourselves. You have to learn the meaning of each gesture, how each cat reacts to different situations. Their likes and dislikes.

Kira, I knew she'd enjoy being pampered, petted, and spoiled once she felt safe enough to let me. She adored milk more than any of the others. She also had the greatest ability to communicate, with other cats and me. She was watching me as closely as I watched her. It was easy to understand her body language, and she made things clear when she was upset about something. She understood immediately when I offered an outdoor shelter, and used it the first night. She was the first to meow at me, as well. And the first to explore inside the house. And relax in the garage. I can tell when she wants to be pet a lot, and when she's too nervous. I can tell when she hears another animal coming. Of all the cats, I still can understand her the best. She even has times she pushes her sister to get closer to me. It's very sweet. She's also taken the role of peacekeeper, to help me maintain the peace in the yard. If other cats are staring each other down, and about to attack, she'll start playing loudly. And it usually works to avert a fight. She watched me interrupt many, many fights before she started to help. 

Luna was far more hesitant, but would follow her sister in almost everything (except being touched. They may never happen, and that's just fine). She's a very skittish cat, but the most playful one I've ever seen. She has a weakness for playing with the laser pointer. They both know I control it too, Kira doesn't buy it for a moment, and looks at me like "Really? No." But she will use Luna's distraction to ambush her. They love to chase each other around (no ears back or hisses, just a short wrestle and running. Then they lay down by each other again). 

Tiger, he's a strange mix of insecure and overconfident. He's a bully, but he's a smart one. I only have to tell him no twice before he understands what I don't want him doing. He'll repeat behaviors that get rewarded. Including not fighting or being aggressive (at least in my view). He's less aggressive as he's learned meals will always be coming, and there's plenty of shelter.

Judy (the feral adopted by the neighbors, who still loves to play with us), likes having body guards. That was what won her trust. I'd chase away possums, skunks, bully cats, stand nearby so no one could push her away from the food... That was enough to win her trust for life. She's very insecure, and the most bullied.

My point with this, is when you learn a lot about each cat's personality, habits, and preferences, you can rely better on your own intuition. Aside from the standard cat body language, they are always learning how to communicate with us. You just have to meet them half-way. And, with cats, it's all in the body language and little things. They want you to understand them, and they speak louder then most think. Just mostly not with voices. :-)

But of course, it doesn't help when one goes missing. I know that too. When Luna got trapped, it was awful. We were really worried. I still think it was a miracle she survived. Her coat is much healthier now, btw, and she's put back on a healthy weight. She's still a bit slim, but she's a very, very active kitty. lmao Hope it helps a bit.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #16

msaimee

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 21, 2013
Messages
1,850
Purraise
1,697
Location
Western PA
My point with this, is when you learn a lot about each cat's personality, habits, and preferences, you can rely better on your own intuition.

Yes, this is certainly true, and I think all devoted cat caregivers do learn about their cat's personality, habits, and preferences. I've never felt the need to seek out an AC prior to being a caregiver for a feral, because I can read my domesticated cats quite well. Ferals are harder to read, though, because they are so much more independent and wilder than domesticated cats. We don't know where they go when they disappear for days or longer, we can't always tell whether they're hurting physically because we can't get them to a vet and because they try to hide illness and discomfort. We don't always know if other people are providing care for them. We don't know if the un-trappable ones will ever consent to going into a trap or entering into our homes because they are fearful, and we don't always know how to break through that barrier and communicate our intentions. We are also not always able to be objective and to separate our own needs and beliefs about our cats from what the cat may actually be thinking and feeling from his or her perspective. This is where assistance from an AC could be invaluable.

I feel a strong spiritual bond with my outdoor feral, Muffin. We often make prolonged eye contact, and have almost from the start of our friendship 3 years ago. I used to do the slow blink with him, but now there's no need--when I feel the need to communicate with him, we look each other straight in the eye. Tonite a raccoon across the road started in the direction of my porch while I was feeding Muffin, and I chased it away. Afterwards, Muffin was sitting in the road, debating which direction to go in. I crouched down and made eye contact and told him to not go anywhere near the raccoon. I pointed in the opposite direction. After crouching in front of him for several minutes, I finally went inside and allowed him to make his own decision. I think he understood me. He understands that I protect him while he eats in the dark and chase away wildlife. Perhaps he feels he doesn't really need my assistance, but appreciates my efforts, who knows. However, there are still some barriers to communication between us that need to be overcome, hence my desire for assistance from an AC, who in my case, perhaps would function more like a couples counselor, lol. There are certain things I want him to do that he does not want to do--to allow me to trap him again to get him to a vet to get neutered and to have a blocked tear duct in his eye treated, and to come inside my house when the weather is very cold. Each time I try to grab him or lure him inside or set a trap, there is a distance between us. While I am in the process of learning how to communicate with him more fully to resolve our battle of wills, an AC would be helpful. I am still somewhat skeptical myself, but am open to any means that would assist me in caring for this cat and having less stress from doing so.
 
 

catwoman707

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 16, 2011
Messages
7,689
Purraise
2,263
Location
Vallejo, CA
I speak for myself, but pretty darn sure that the majority of us cat lovers would say the same thing, I do know my cats, very well too. If you love an animal, you will naturally learn about them, little gestures or looks, all that goes without saying.

However, this is not always possible or clear. Just depends on the circumstances and the cat/situation.

I don't turn to my ac for communications with my cats, but there are infact times as I posted above that prove themselves very worthy of every penny spent. I know I am glad I did. I know Kris is, who lost her ferals to the fox pack.

It's not for everyone though, simple as that.
 

ldg

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jun 25, 2002
Messages
41,310
Purraise
842
Location
Fighting for ferals in NW NJ!
My point with this, is when you learn a lot about each cat's personality, habits, and preferences, you can rely better on your own intuition. Aside from the standard cat body language, they are always learning how to communicate with us. You just have to meet them half-way. And, with cats, it's all in the body language and little things. They want you to understand them, and they speak louder then most think. Just mostly not with voices. :-)


But of course, it doesn't help when one goes missing. I know that too. When Luna got trapped, it was awful. We were really worried. I still think it was a miracle she survived. Her coat is much healthier now, btw, and she's put back on a healthy weight. She's still a bit slim, but she's a very, very active kitty. lmao Hope it helps a bit.

Yes. The only time I've used an animal communicator with the ferals is when they've gone missing. Baloo, who was here for over a year, every meal, went missing. After two weeks, I couldn't take it. The AC had a quick chat with him - he was on walkabout. She reassured me he was OK. I felt better and stopped obsessing. My concern with him is that he's NOT feral - he's a dumped stray or something. He's friendly to people, and jumps in open car doors. I was afraid he'd gotten in a car, gone for a ride, and gotten out at someone's work or a shopping mall or something. So "walkabout" was a relief.

Two weeks later, there he was, on the deck, lounging around as if nothing happened.

Same thing with little Khol. Here, every meal, every day for ... IDK at the time. A long time. Went missing. I think I only waited a week that time. AC contacted her, told her I was worried. Again, AC reassured me she was OK and described the area where she was. The next day, she came back. And she hasn't left since. (And since that "chat" with the AC, Khol has been my buddy and my shadow every time I head outside. She goes for walks in the field with me, wraps herself around my legs - and has become a lap cat (with me).

We have to move, and we have to relocate the feral colony. I'm very seriously thinking about asking for a group discount, LOL, and once they're caged and in the new location, having the AC just get in touch with each one to tell them what's going on, and to ask them - for me - to stay with us. :heart2:
 
Last edited:
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #19

msaimee

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 21, 2013
Messages
1,850
Purraise
1,697
Location
Western PA
Thanks for all of your responses--this is quite an interesting topic, for sure! I'm thankful that the conversation has remained respectful. I think I will likely contact a different AC than the one I used once before, and also my family member, and will give less info ahead of time this time around, and see what is said. If there is a way someone other than myself can convey my intentions to Muffin so I can better care for him this winter, especially since he's getting older and starting to slow down (he's around 5 years old now), then I'm willing to give it a shot. I think I am developing my own sense of telepathy with him (you'd be surprised how many times he happens to appear on my porch exactly when I look out my window for him) but have a ways to go. This cat is very special. Prior to my becoming his caregiver on my block, my neighbors and I rarely interacted. Now, because of my care for Muffin and their concern for him, I've become good friends with one, and am friendly with several others. I've come out of my hermit shell, lol. He has also taught me a lot about myself, and during difficult times, given me a reason to get up in the morning. The first thing the AC said was that although I consider myself to be Muffin's caregiver and am always looking for him and checking up on him, he considers himself to be my caregiver and often comes around to check up on me. I thought that was pretty cool
 
 

astrael

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
Jan 2, 2014
Messages
72
Purraise
24
I just wanna make this clear, so as not to offend anyone else by accident, I have a unique situation with my ferals. They are essentially outdoor pets at this point. I did not mean to suggest others don't care and pay attention in any way. I'm sorry if anyone felt I meant that. In my situation, I can give each feral a lot of individual attention and notice small things. A slight limp, anxiety, extra playful, if they're scratching too much, over or undergrooming... So on and so forth. They get time from me every single day, just as an indoor kitty would.

I also simply have no strong opinion, or personal experience with animal communicators. I am sincerely glad that they've helped others. Maybe someday I would try, but I don't know. I'm glad to have heard opinions on them. I never really thought about them much before this.

I do understand its different with a big colony. I remember how difficult it was helping my mom with a large colony(20+ cats). On this block, each neighbor helps a few feral cats, so the burden isn't large on anyone, the cats get special attention and care from their humans, and they have some space to themselves, lots of shelters. It's something of a feral kitty haven here. It's also a bonus that the other non-caretaking neighbors no longer have their garbage strewn about the street by possums, raccoons, and skunks.. lol  (It used to be REALLY bad here. You had to just wait to put it out right before they picked it up, or it would be everywhere!) 

So, in my situation, there wouldn't really be much need for an animal communicator. I simply have three slightly feral cats to worry about. (Though if you saw the way Kira gets into being pet, you'd never think she was feral at all. Till she noticed a stranger and ran. lol) Seriously, I try to proofread well, but the neurological damage makes it hard to get my thoughts out right. I can assure you, I never mean to be rude or offensive. I just have trouble expressing myself well. So, just assume I didn't mean anything bad by what I say, and you'll be right every time. :-)
 
Top