Starting Feral Cat Caretaker

Well, total of 9 cats caught and sent to be nuetered. Total of 4 kittens found between last night and this morning. Of course plenty more drama.

Humane Society is trying to get on these ladies good side ( ok good luck). I am no longer using camper (it upsets these two too much). So I have no place to keep any cats caught at night. Had a dog attack 2 cages kept on porch this morning. Cats ok though.

These ladies are going to start doing their own trapping. They are also going to stay out of my yard (I hope). Of course I am getting the bill for any they catch. Humane Society really working with me about cost though...so not so bad.

Wow - 9!  Good work.  Hopefully, the ladies will come through.  It will benefit everyone, especially the cats.

I know a lady who recuperated cats in a tent in her yard.  Can you get an inexpensive camping tent?  It would work well for the boys - they only need to be kept over night.  The girls need a day or two to recuperate.

Great work! Sounds like things are going well. We have dog problems from time to time. Always concernef about babies. BTW, new little onesare Thor, Loki, Odin and Siff. Others outside are Luke, Duke
and Trouble. Babies inside named after Peanut characters and Star Wars. One found last Halloween is Punkin. Becming hard to come up with new names

Sorry about multiple typing errors. Simply my mind going faster than fingers (or vice versa)

Unfortunately can't afford a tent right now. Most of the cats will be kept at clinic two days though. Partly because of the number of them and not wanting to accidentally trap the nuetered ones when trying to get the unnuetered.

Must admit a little disappointment in not being able to trap more. Convinced that one cat who just sat on top of trap flipped me the bird. There was 8 or 9 that showed up at feeding station last night that still need to be nuetered. I was asked to do an evening feeding to try and get a count.

We are taking a little break from trapping to see if we can get that lady to calm down a bit. Maybe when the nuetered ones are returned she will realize they have not been harmed.

Ok, correction only 8 cats trapped and nuetered. One female returned early because she was lactating was trapped twice. Plans are to chill for a couple weeks and start again. This time hopefully with the help of neighbors who live behind me. I don't know them so I got to go make friends, take them some literature, TNR ladies phone number etc.

Oh one of the cats I trapped caused a big commotion. The two ladies swore up and down she had been fixed...she hadn't, is now. Another cat they were wailing about having kittens and wanting to get back and feed her babies was a male..now nuetered. Cats all back home now. Making sure I get pics of each to put in binder with TNR and shot dates.

Best strategy - cover yourself with info (pictures, spay/neuter/shots dates) - anything that proves you are caring for these cats.  Hopefully, the two ladies will soon be silenced.

And eight cats fixed just prevented around a million kittens, so GOOD JOB!

Last night's feeding and this mornings pretty sorry turnout. Cats are back to being really skittish. Have noticed some wandering around feeding station earlier than when I have been putting food out so am changing morning feed to one hour earlier.

Slappy very happy to be back home. So is Bandit. Both seemed to be telling me about their experience. Both gave me lots of rubs and took turns climbing on me. Wolfie who we couldn't catch is still following me around. Patches is pregnant and I am trying to keep a close eye on her.

We all need a few days peace.

Yes, sometimes a break can do the trick.  Deep breath and start again tomorrow.

Morning feeding went better about thirteen showed including a few I haven't seen before. There was a heavily lactating female who came from the garage (which we never really gained access to). Jackson was finally seen, he's been hiding since his surgery. He was quite active and had a very good appetite so I think I can stop worrying about him. Rudy who usually stays the length of the yard away from me twice now has positioned himself about two feet from me at feeding time.

Making list of who still needs TNR and getting pictures when possible. Problem with about eight of these cats having very similar markings.

Raining tonight. About 7 cats showed up in spite of the rain. Redesigning feed station to have awning for rainy times like this. Also rebuilding shelter ( making bigger more private). I know several cats have been napping in the shelters but they haven't exactly moved in. Any suggestions?

Wolfie has really changed a lot. I use to think of him as a senior, slow moving, scruffy fur, trouble chewing, a bit to skinny under that fur. Now though he's gotten quite active and his fur looks much fuller. Still has trouble chewing so I mix canned pate with the dry let it sit awhile to get soft. Several seem to prefer their food this way.

Cats have figured out where I live here and which windows are mine. They have serenaded me. Neighbors report cats sitting in groups under my windows. Just a bit unnerving.

JaneM said:

Unfortunately can't afford a tent right now. Most of the cats will be kept at clinic two days though. Partly because of the number of them and not wanting to accidentally trap the nuetered ones when trying to get the unnuetered.

Must admit a little disappointment in not being able to trap more. Convinced that one cat who just sat on top of trap flipped me the bird. There was 8 or 9 that showed up at feeding station last night that still need to be nuetered. I was asked to do an evening feeding to try and get a count.

We are taking a little break from trapping to see if we can get that lady to calm down a bit. Maybe when the nuetered ones are returned she will realize they have not been harmed.

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Oh, if the clinic keeps them that long, you're fine.  Wow, I'm really impressed with your clinic, too.

I think a short break will help everyone.  The untrapped ones can be lulled into a false sense of security.  Be sure to wash the traps thoroughly.   The scent of fear lingers and the other won't go near them.

I am very fortunate with the TNR program through our Humane Society. They are charging me only $ 20 per cat for nuetering and an extra $5 per cat for distemper shots. I have signed to pay more per cat if they need additional medical treatment (so far nothing that serious). I would have no way of making this happen without the ladies from TNRs help. With these many cats even with these reduced prices I'll be eating beans and rice for a couple months, fortunately I am vegan and it's what I would be eating anyway.

JaneM said:

With these many cats even with these reduced prices I'll be eating beans and rice for a couple months, fortunately I am vegan and it's what I would be eating anyway.

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I check in on your posts every day to see how things are going. So impressed with all you have done. Hardly a thankless job, but can be very difficult and overpowering at times. Many thanks to you for being such a caring cat lover!

Well not much getting done today. Did morning feeding and cleaned up after. I have some kind of bug though so not much energy. Lots to get done but it's not happening today. Did gather up TNR flyers and Humane Society information to give to neighbor behind me. Praying he will be willing to help out. Did get a few pictures of cats still needing TNR.

Got paperwork back from Humane Society today. Remember the lesbian cat? The one I shouldn't try nuetering cause she didn't like boys? Male!!! Well nuetered male now.

JaneM said:

Got paperwork back from Humane Society today. Remember the lesbian cat? The one I shouldn't try nuetering cause she didn't like boys? Male!!! Well nuetered male now.

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Morning feeding not so great. A lot of drama going on. What would this place be without drama? Apparently drunk is moving out! Announced he was going somewhere people would appreciate him?!?!? Whatever.

Hope to start trapping week after next. Humane Society will be trapping in another county next week so not available to help transport cats

Woohoo! I sincerely hopes he finds the help he needs. One less thing for you to worry about.

Now I pray that a sympathetic cat lover moves in.