Don't know what to do

I am having a real conscience problem with the idea of trapping cats only to hand them over to Animal Control to euthanize. That is why I contacted the no kill programs in the first place so that the cats would not end up dead. Originally, I thought that it would be fine if the ones that I fed just got spayed, neutered and returned then I could keep feeding them. That was before I talked to other residents that started saying how they and the park owner wanted to get rid of the cats. That was before some asshole moved out and abandoned more cats. I called Animal control to report the abandoning as the animal cruelty that it is.

I was informed that Animal Control could possibly adopt out the abandoned cats, but they are going to stop even trying to trap them now. I trapped almost all of the cats that I wanted to put into the TNR, (Trap, Neuter and Return) program because they were getting caught by Animal Control. I even had to trap a mother cat and go get her kittens out of a vacant trailer to send with her. Not a problem, I really liked that cat. I was told and I am certain that she and her kittens were put into a foster program. ******* AWESOME.

I was given hope that the other cats could be sent to a place to become barn cats there and got really excited and hopeful about them being safe. After all, that is the most important part of this whole thing. This isn't about me, it isn't about any human, it is about the safety and well being of the cats. It is not safe for the cats to come back to this trailer park. I can not keep them inside. I can not be sure that they will use a shelter and not end up going under an occupied trailer for heat. I can not guarantee that that person will not hurt the cats. I can not guarantee that the owner or the maintenance people will not turn around and call animal control on the spayed and neutered cats if they come back. The cats are the only good thing I can say about this trailer park (not everyone is bad and some are nice, but the park sucks as a whole). I would wish that I had never moved in here, but then I would not have 2 of my cats that I took in after they were abandoned.

The owner is a slumlord. Look at the condition of the park. If he gave a **** it would not look like this. So on top of worrying about the cats safety, I have to worry about whether or not the park will get shut down and my mother, my 3 inside cats and myself will have shelter. Where would the outside cats go then? My mother is 69 years old and has had 8 heart attacks. I have to worry about her every day. I really actually do give a ****. I am 50 years old and my heart can't take much more of this.

Then to top that off, now it is getting put on me to trap the cats and give them to people that will possibly kill them? Or return them to the park that is not a safe place for outside cats. It isn't just my heart, my head is about to explode. I just do not think that I am capable of trapping cats to get them killed. I am not one of the residents that just wanted to shoot them, but trapping them and getting them euthanized just doesn't seem much different. I would rather euthanize the people that abandoned them and/or the people that would hurt them.

Jim

You can't save every cat, and you can't shoulder the responsibility for personally saving every cat you see is in need. You've saved many--that's what counts.

Are all the cats feral, or are some of them domesticated enough to be adopted? You could try to trap the socialized ones and take them to a shelter such as the Humane Society, where at least they will have a shot at being adopted. The ones who are truly feral, however, are not adoptable.

I would say to continue to TNR whichever ones that you can trap.  Also know that feral cats who have been trapped very rarely go into a trap a second time, so it will be unlikely that they could be trapped again by Animal Control or anyone seeking to harm them. Continue to feed them as long as you can and work with the people in your trailer park who are sympathetic towards them.

There is no truly "safe" place for feral cats, even cats within communities that have caregivers. I worry about my feral cat all of the time, and his situation is about as ideal as possible, having me as a caregiver and a block full of people who know and like him and help care for him on occasion. However, there are still numerous dangers around him--other ferals, wildlife, bitter cold weather, exposure to disease, and dangerous humans. There is someone nearby who shot a feral a few years ago. I know this because my feral brought this female to me two years ago for food, and after I trapped her and had her spayed, learned from an x-ray that she has a bullet lodged in her hip. The bullet had broken her leg and the leg healed on its own, but crooked, so she walks with a gait. This little  angel lives inside my house now. But it's disturbing to know that someone nearby shot her with a gun and could do the same to my feral. So the life of feral cats everywhere is a difficult one and all we can do is all we can do. Try to find a way to make peace with yourself about the situation--pray, meditate, or trust in the benevolence of a higher power who is in control, and who will take care of these little creatures and love them even in the afterlife if they pass away.

Many people, unfortunately, are in a similar situation to yours. For many of us, one major financial set-back or housing crisis could result in the loss of our homes. There are many "what if's" we can worry about, you are not alone.  All we can do is our best, one day at a time. You're wonderful for taking care of your family and the cats in your community, and I hope that the good deeds you do rebound to you manifold.   

I hope you know you are an angel for what you do! I too try to help where I can, there are constantly dumped cats around here, and I feel sorry (and feed) every one of them. I can barely afford the 100.00 a month I spend on cat food, and I just paid 145.00 to have one spayed and given vaccinations. But I figured it would save me money in the long run by limiting the number of kittens. My heart goes out to you, and I'll pray for you and your mother. I want you to know you are not alone in your fight to help the helpless. There has got to be bigger fines for abandonment, and better neuter/spay programs. I hope there will some day be help for you and your mother, you are doing much more then most. I for one applaud you, and wish you all the best. 

Hi Jim, 

PM me and perhaps I can off advice given on your location. Are you in the midwest ?

Thank you all for your kind words. I wish that I could help all the abandoned and feral cats out there.

There is a bit of good news. The local Animal control agency does have a barn cat adoption program for cats that can be touched/tame/semi-feral/stray.

The TNR program is through Voiceless - MI and they are a good program.

It just makes me really sad to think about all the cats out there and that the ones that I tried to help might be coming back to the place I really wanted them to be able to get out of for their own safety. I realize that no where is truly safe for an outside cat, but some places are much more dangerous than others.

Just for the record, I am an atheist. I do not believe in the afterlife. So this is mine, my mother's, my inside cat's and all the outside cat's one and only life. It would be nice if the only worries were about natural disasters and accidents and you/I did not have to worry about other humans mucking things up.

I appreciate the sentiment and think that you that responded do care about the cats.

Again, thanks for the kind words. I really do like cats so I may be around here posting occasionally for awhile if that is o.k.

Jim

You are facing a thankless task, Jim, and deserve a lot of credit for tackling it. All you can do is your best. I feel the same way about the humans who are responsible for this mess. It would be easier to get rid of them. Unfortunately, we can't do that, so we must do our best for the cats.

Take it a step at a time. Having a plan is always the best approach, so perhaps you can sit down with other concerned neighbors and people from local rescues and map something out. Animal control should be involved. He or she may have resources. It won't hurt to ask.

Good luck!

Hello all. Update on the situation:

All of the cats that I originally wanted to do TNR with are going to be relocated to a safer environment. Many thanks to the organization/organizations involved. When I get the money they will get a donation or two from me.

Most of the abandoned cats (except for one that is in the TNR) were caught and taken to Animal Control. It would appear that Animal control here has a barn cat program so even if they do not get adopted they may still be o.k.

I say most, because I just found out that one of the cats that I though belonged to someone, (He has a very well fed look to him), is still roaming around and is not actually anyone's pet. when I put food out tonight there was also a small juvenile, 6 to 8 month old cat with him. I am guessing father and child. I think mother cat is at Animal Control.

I am going to try and get them both used to feeding at the same time and place and to come when I shake the plastic bowl with dry food in it. Once they are used to me feeding them, I will have to borrow a couple of traps and violate their trust as well. The eyes when they look at you after they get trapped just mess you up. I will have to take them to Animal Control.

I worry about the cats at Animal Control, but at least I do not have to worry about the others coming back here where they are at a high risk. At least the ones at Animal Control will not be here either.

If I can get pictures of the ones that are going to be relocated can they be posted here?

Thanks for advice and help.

Jim

Here is a picture of mommy cat and the two kittens that were fostered right away:



The mother cat has since been named by the woman that put her into the foster program and that has been a tremendous help in the whole process as Gloria after my mother. The kittens are Glo-Worm and Glossy. Not sure which is which.

Jim

@JimVierling that link isn't working.  Would you be able to upload the picture direct to the post?  Here's a tutorial explaining how to do it. 

O.k. I will try again using the insert image function.


Mommy kitty is now Gloria and the two little ones are Glo-Worm and Glossy. They were named by the nice lady that put them into a foster program for me. She named mommy after my mother.

They are all really small cats, Gloria is lucky if she weighs 6 pounds and probably weighs less. The kittens were only about 6 inches long when I got them.

Jim, I am so grateful you are stepping up to the plate to help these guys. Think of how horrible their lives would have been without you!