New to caring for feral colony

patches mom

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Sep 27, 2016
Messages
11
Purraise
3
Location
MA
I have recently begun feeding an watering a feral colony. About a week ago I did take in a 3 week old kitten from the colony. He is receiving vet care and I am going to keep him. Anyway for this thread what are some good winter shelter ideas and mass good ideas? I'm flying through food there are at least 8 kittens an a few adults. The animal shelters here euthanize these kittens so not an option to drop them off. I'm expecting a baby in 10weeks and have a 2yr old cat already so I can't take more in though I'd like to socialize these babies. My plan is to try and find places doing the TNR program but must wait now until Patches is bigger and I'm no longer pregnant. Any tips would be awesome. I cleAned all trash where they are fresh water and food twice a day and started a sheet on computer to keep track of colony. I am a renter as well in apt. So can't let them in basement
 

Willowy

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 1, 2009
Messages
31,886
Purraise
28,287
Location
South Dakota
I would concentrate on getting them TNRed first. At least the females. Otherwise you're just going to have more and more (and more!) kittens to deal with. If you can find a TNR program, ask if they have an arrangement where you could leave them overnight so they can be released as soon as you get them home. Or see if any of the cat rescues in your area have a foster home who is willing to let you keep them there overnight.
 

shadowsrescue

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Apr 27, 2011
Messages
7,022
Purraise
5,083
Location
Ohio
TNR should definitely be your first priority. 

As for shelters, rubbermaid containers stuffed with straw will help to keep the kitties warm and dry.  You can do an internet search on feral cat shelters and you will see all different kinds.  I have made many different kinds.  Usually you need to be sure to have an exit and an entrance.  The cats don't want to feel trapped. 

I hope that you can find a rescue group or Humane Society to help you quickly get the cats TNR'd.  They will only continue to reproduce and the cats will multiply before your very eyes.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #4

patches mom

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Sep 27, 2016
Messages
11
Purraise
3
Location
MA
Thank you very much for your advice. I agree I will be making calls my timeline a bit tight atm since my baby is due in 10 weeks. I did find some groups in the area so going to see who I can get going. I defiantly want to reduce kitten population. Shelters you mentioned is what I am thinking I don't have huge budget but want to keep them warm and fed and hopefully spayed/neutered :)
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5

patches mom

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Sep 27, 2016
Messages
11
Purraise
3
Location
MA
WOW , going to the blog is amazing.. I hope in time I can establish some relationship. Grey kitty is the longest time resident and no longer fears me.. Something happened awhile ago as once in a blue moon she allowed petting now she does not. She is one I want spayed the most as she has been known around the neighborhood to have large litters usually 7. I spent time cleaning out an area in back yard where I feed and water them since yard is shared I try to keep clean and again we live in house that is sectioned into apartments same with house behind us. I don't want it to open for them but the blog gives me a lot of hope I have not named them maybe I will think of names :). Patches the kitten I took from colony is my only named one. I have rescued two adults in the past both where adopted and already neutered when I found them..they where more strays since they jumped into my arms literally. Grey Kitty would never do that. Her kittens mostly trust me minus one he/she avoids me like plague. At the moment they are all getting wet food.
 

shadowsrescue

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Apr 27, 2011
Messages
7,022
Purraise
5,083
Location
Ohio
 
WOW , going to the blog is amazing.. I hope in time I can establish some relationship. Grey kitty is the longest time resident and no longer fears me.. Something happened awhile ago as once in a blue moon she allowed petting now she does not. She is one I want spayed the most as she has been known around the neighborhood to have large litters usually 7. I spent time cleaning out an area in back yard where I feed and water them since yard is shared I try to keep clean and again we live in house that is sectioned into apartments same with house behind us. I don't want it to open for them but the blog gives me a lot of hope I have not named them maybe I will think of names :). Patches the kitten I took from colony is my only named one. I have rescued two adults in the past both where adopted and already neutered when I found them..they where more strays since they jumped into my arms literally. Grey Kitty would never do that. Her kittens mostly trust me minus one he/she avoids me like plague. At the moment they are all getting wet food.
Getting her spayed is of most importance.  It is so hard on females to have litter after litter.  Hopefully a rescue group can assist you before she ends up pregnant again.
 
Top