stray/feral cat in my neighborhood

blueberry212

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There is a stray cat in my neighborhood who I call maxi, he is a male, I'm not sure how old he is exactly, but I'm pretty sure he's an adult, maybe even a little on the older side. I first saw him a couple months ago I think and I started to feed him, I've mainly given him treats, but I also give home wet food and occasionally tuna. There was another cat who had kittens after mating with him, but I'm not sure where she is because I haven't seen her in so long. The last time I saw maxi, which was two days ago he had a big red spot by his neck, I think it was an injury because there are other cats who live at my neighbor's and are outdoor cats, raccoons, and birds and they all fight some times. I've seen two kittens, one is now a young adult/teen and same for the other, I've seen them both within this week. My dad said he saw a dead kitten in the yard, so I'm not sure if they're safe. Maxi usually lies around all day in either my yard or the neighbors and always looks really lethargic. I suspect that he is the son of one of my neighbors cats that ran away a couple years ago, because they look very similar and he looks a lot like that cats mom. His ear is clipped, so I'm pretty sure he's been neutered, but I'm not sure when and when he had the kittens, and I'm pretty sure that the kittens haven't been spayed, so I'm not really sure what to do. I know about TNR but I don't have the time, money, or recorded to do it, and even if I did I barely have enough to take my own cat to the vet. I get very worried about them, but I don't know how to help them, does any one know what I should do?

P.s. I'm not sure if they're feral or strays because maxi is comfortable with me and most of my family usually, but when he got injured he stated running when he saw us, and the kittens I'm pretty sure are feral, but I think all of them could be pets if they got done TLC, but may or may not be my intention to get them adopted, depending on what is better for them, this is my first feral cat experience and I don't know what to do.
 

shadowsrescue

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Welcome to TCS and thank you for caring about these cats.

Do you have a rescue group in your area that you could ask for help with doing TNR on all of these cats?  If the cats do not get spayed/neutered soon, you will have so many cats and they will just continue to reproduce.  You might try searching on the Internet for cat rescue groups in your area and ask them for help.  They might be able to assist you with allowing you to borrow traps, and giving vouchers for reduced or free spay/neuter.  Some will even come out and do the TNR. 

It appears that the cats are not feral since they are friendly with you and allow human contact.  If they were feral, they would run at the sight of humans and keep their distance. 

So are you  sure that he has been neutered?  You mentioned that you thought he mated with one of the females.  Have you see him without and with a tipped ear?  You want to be sure that the ear is really tipped and not ripped from a fight. 

Most likely he is getting into fights with some of the other cats.  If he is neutered he shouldn't be fighting too much, but other tom cats could come after him in pursuit of territory.  Outside living is so very dangerous for cats.

I hope that you are able to get some help from some rescue groups.  You also could talk with some of the neighbors about the stray cat problem and see if you could all pool together to get them spayed/neutered. 
 
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blueberry212

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Thank you for replying, I'm not 100% sure he's been neutered, but he has a clipped ear and it definitely doesn't look like another animal did it to him. He has been fighting with other animals, I'm pretty sure it's mainly raccoons, I haven't seen him without a clipped ear though. I do want to talk to my neighbors about it because he looks strikingly similar to a cat of theirs that ran away. I have been trying to find rescue groups in my area, via the Internet but so far I haven't found any.
 

shadowsrescue

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Thank you for replying, I'm not 100% sure he's been neutered, but he has a clipped ear and it definitely doesn't look like another animal did it to him. He has been fighting with other animals, I'm pretty sure it's mainly raccoons, I haven't seen him without a clipped ear though. I do want to talk to my neighbors about it because he looks strikingly similar to a cat of theirs that ran away. I have been trying to find rescue groups in my area, via the Internet but so far I haven't found any.
I would definitely check with the neighbors.  Fighting between cats and raccoons can happen, but it is usually over food.  In my area, my feral cats and the raccoons always live peacefully.  A raccoon can attack if it's babies are threatened or they are fighting over food.  You do want to watch closely as raccoons can carry rabies.  I would think it would be more likely that he is fighting with another male cat especially if he is not neutered.  Yet the tipped ear would tell you that he is neutered.  Hopefully you can get to the bottom of this and find some answers.

Do you have a Humane Society or ASPCA in your county or area?  They often can help with TNR or assist you with locating a rescue group.
 
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