Tomorrow I go to feed my little colony and have to plan for putting them down..my heart is broken

catsknowme

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 Wonderful news that AlleyCatAllies has someone that is helping you!!! Sending mega prayers and vibes that the kitties are all happily relocated
 

kittychick

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I'm surprised about Best friends not responding yet - a wonderful woman there responded in less than 24 hours to an email I sent them that I honestly never expected an answer on. "Shenandoah"  (the pic I attached)  - a very senior cat at Best Friends Sanctuary in Utah  that had really pulled at my heartstrings more than normal (I think most of us on this site know that feeling - that goes beyond "oooohhhh.....I'd love to adopt her" to "I just HAVE to save this baby!". She was VERY senior and was emaciated beyond belief. I'd actually been begging my husband for my Christmas gift to be a flight to Utah (from Ohio) to adopt her. He thought I was nuts - - - but he already knew that :)

I saw that Shenandoah had been removed from Best Friends site, so I sent a note to them, never dreaming I'd get an answer. I got a very lovely, long note from the person - - explaining Shenandoah had been dropped in a box in the heat in their parking lot (no note, etc) - - and that they tried everything for her, but her kidneys and liver were going quickly. But she spent her last days in a loving foster home with a vet tech - so she was very loved until the end.

Anyway - I know that doesn't help the problem on this thread - but wanted to let everyone know how wonderfully - and personally - Best Friends had replied to me.

I'm glad @trudy1  that Alley Cat Allies is providing so much hope - they are an amazing organization - and, as I think I've said before in this thread, have helped me out personally, which. when you consider the size of this organization, is impressive. You'll be able to do what's needed when the time comes as far as trapping,, etc. - -- - Alley Cat will walk you through that as needed. In the meantime, I'd read up on all you can regarding these things. I think I might have given you this link before - - - but their site is amazing and answers a lot of questions. I've posted links to pages that you might read up on now before push comes to shove (many are Alley Cat, but a few  are others I've found helpful). The "Return" part of TNR isn't really applicable, but the rest of a lot of these pages have a lot of info on trapping/what to do/not to do/etc.

http://www.alleycat.org/community-cat-care/pre-trap-setup/

http://www.alleycat.org/community-cat-care-category/tnr/tnr-trapping/

http://www.alleycat.org/community-cat-care/relocation-the-last-resort/

http://bestfriends.org/resources/relocating-feral-cats

http://4fi8v2446i0sw2rpq2a3fg51.wpe...tent/uploads/2016/09/BarnCatFlyer_example.pdf

The link below is an "index link" - with LOTS of info on trapping, relocating, all kinds of things in one place - - it's a great resource

http://bestfriends.org/resources/feral-cats-and-tnr

And hopefully - your brother will - with further explanation (and maybe even printing a few things out to show concrete proof that you're doing EVERYTHING you can) - understand that you're doing ALL you can - pulling in every resource possible - and you WILL take care of every one of these kitties without him - or anyone - resorting to anything violent or even taking them to a shelter where they would be euthanized. 

Keep us posted - sounds like you're well on your way to a VERY happy ending!!!! (isn't this site wonderful?)


RIP Shenandoah :(
 
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trudy1

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I hope this thing is not falling apart. I went to the barn to feed yesterday and BIL is already started to clean out the barn...so much for advanced notice! So I sent my Alley Cat Allies lady a note asking her if the adoption for Socks is any closer and could she give me a date? Also asked about her offer to foster and place creamy, Callie, daddy and cutie pie... was she ready or could she give me a day....two days ago and have not heard back. You know sometimes people say things in good faith and then when pressed feel cornered when they realize they can't do it. I hope this is not the case but she is usually very rapid in her response.

Contacted a woman from Oklahoma, a rancher who offered to take any or all as barn cats. They could stay in the barn and hunt on the farm. She would put out feed for them as well but that would be as far as it goes. In her words they would live till they die. Of course you know me... questions pop up: what about their scratches, bites, sores which I care for, since I have raised many of them since kittens I'm not even sure some of them can/do hunt or just wait for my food wagon every other day? My wife says it would be more humane to just put them down than subject them to all that. Any thoughts from forum?

Best Friends finally responded with a "canned" letter. I suspect that since they got 22,000 emails last year alone unless you were within there sphere of influence I.e. Utah a direct response wouldn't be forthcoming:

"Thank you for contacting Best Friends Animal Society. While we wish we could provide a personal reply to every request for assistance, with over 22,000 of them coming in each year, we’ve found that the most effective way to assist is to enable people to help themselves. Because of this, there are only limited circumstances in which we are able to answer your emails with a personal response.

The humane, effective way to control the number of community cats is trap/neuter/return (TNR). Community cats are the feral and stray free-roaming cats in your neighborhood. You can find information about our current programs supporting this by clicking here. We have made all of our best resources for helping community cats available online, which you can access by clicking here.

If you are writing because you need help with an animal, please visit our website for resources on a wide array of topics, created for you by our experts here at Best Friends. If your question involves placing an animal at Best Friends Animal Society’s Sanctuary, click here to visit our admission information page.

Another great resource is our No More Homeless Pets Network website, where you can search for rescues and shelters by state. Please understand that Best Friends has not visited these facilities, so do your research carefully. This does not guarantee that these groups can help, but it is one more thing you can try. Click here to see a list of our Network Partners.

Thank you for taking time to assist animals in need. For nearly 30 years, Best Friends has been working to save the lives of animals in America’s shelters. Join us at bestfriends.org. Together, we can Save Them All."

So here we are. My turmoil is not any less and since wife is facing back surgery on the 14th time is disappearing. No help to hold cage while I grab them. It has to be someone they know or they scatter!

Still hoping Alley Cat Allies lady will come through but does not look good.

Looks now like my choices might be euthanize or trap and haul them to Oklahoma in several loads to an uncertain future.

I hate this uncertainty! Some of my cat babies have never been out of the barn that I know of.

Maybe I will get euthanized instead.

George



Member Liaison
(435)644-2001
bestfriends.org
facebook.com/bestfriendsanimalsociety | twitter.com/bestfriends
 

tarasgirl06

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Has the Best Friends network of partners listing yielded anything possible closer to you than OK?  

Just my thoughts (which you are asking for, among others):  PLEASE do not "euthanize" them.  A barn life in OK with "feed" would be preferable.  "Euthanasia" only refers to terminally ill and/or incurably ill living beings' end of life choices, not to healthy living beings.  In my humble opinion, if it was me whose life was being discussed, I would far rather learn to live a different life, even if it is not as comfortable, than to be deprived of my life.  If there was a place for me to go, I would make every effort to get there.  We are born with a survival instinct which, in mentally/emotionally health individuals, is our strongest drive.  I believe it is all the stronger in cats, who do not have all the complications humans do in their lives.  PLEASE let these cats live! 
 
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trudy1

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No Tara's girl, all Best Friends sent was a "canned" letter. I think if you were adopting you would get their full attention but when it's the other way around....also they said they get 22,000 emails a year...probably most like mine so I don't fault them.

The Oklahoma "connection" came from a CL contact my wife's relative used when her no good husband left her and his 11 cats for an internet "love" affair!! She was beside herself so I put her pets on CL. This great woman who had a big ranch in OK contacted her because she was needing barn cats. Not the most ideal since they were all really pets. She came up and got them in a trailer , all 11!!!, and took them home to the farm. She does keep food out but that's it. The last we talked to her they were doing ok.

I am still deciding or trying to decide what to do with my babies.

The Alley Cat Allies lady said Socks may be adopted soon of course "depending " . I think she means if his temperament is right. If I choose, Callie, Daddy, Cutie Pie, and Creamy can live on her back porch but it maybe "4-6 months till they could be placed! But as she said at least they will be alive.

The other 3 wild kids could go to Oklahoma.

Went feed today. They all met me at the car crying for the warm ground chicken. I gave each who would let me a pat and scratch. Put down a spatula full of chicken in front of each. Picked up and moved around those hogs like Daddy and other so the more timid ones could eat. Wildie eats on her rr timber away from the group as is her habit. But soon even her timber will be hauled off.

After the raw they all go to the various pieces of old equipment where I put out small piles of kibble. That gives me a chance to inspect and treat any bites or sores I find.

Then they all leave to groom. Daddy, Callie and Cutie Pie nuzzling and head butting each other. Socks, the young kid, running around to each trying to provoke since he just came a few months ago. Not really accepted by the colony but tolerated.! Long Legs takes off by himself for the hay bails. Creamy cries out for Wildie to come with him into the barn to make sure she is protected and gets something to eat.

This is a typical feeding every other day for the last three years, winter or summer, snow or rain. This is what both I and my babies are having to give up. Guess old men and cats just don't like change!!!!
 

tarasgirl06

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Well, cats are definitely creatures of pattern, and so are many people, myself included.  You give them LOVE, which is the most important thing everyone needs! and good care.  Survival, though, is priority -- at least it would be to me -- and it sounds like you have some form of placement possible for all of them, so this is very, very good.  My ex dumped me and our beloved cats -- whom he loved, too, but he said he was well aware that there could be casualties when I asked him this -- and I had to move from acreage to an urban location with "quotas".  As it was, I was several cats over the "quota" but they were all indoor cats, so no one would ever know they were here.  The "barn crew", as I called our formerly "community" cats from our old location where people tolerated, to some extent, and fed, to some extent, the cats but did not TNR them (so we did), I had to scramble around to find safe haven for and they went to a similar situation to what you describe, with me contributing monthly to their care with full intention of bringing them back if I ever could.  Complicated situation, and long, long story;  I know one was adopted into a loving home.  The rest, I will never know, and I pray for them.  That really ripped my heart out.  I was finally able to track down the pilot whose influence enabled me to fly them up and who was at the other end to bring them to their new home, and she told me she did not know but that she hoped they were among those rescued after the person I trusted apparently had a meltdown and "freed" all of the cats in her "sanctuary's" care.  I will always be haunted by this.  Anyway, I pray that you have much better luck with your little loved ones.  I would always opt for taking the chance on survival for them.  Do keep us posted. 
 

kittychick

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I am sorry about the "canned" letter from Best Friends - if you saw in my last note, I was stunned that I got (in less than 12 hours) a very personal note on an inquiry about a cat that wasn't even alive anymore! But I'm also sure they're beyond overwhelmed with far more letters like yours - and "canned" is probably often all they can do. 

Barns that DO feed are not a horrid answer by any means. Barns that DON'T feed can be a real problem - - -cats don't "instinctively know how to hunt" - they're taught by mom, or another colony member. Unless they were taught, they may starve if not provided food. That said euthanasia is certainly (and I know you know this and feel it in your soul) absolutely the last option.

I've got to work - but wanted to tell you to try to be strong - as awfully draining as this is, and keep trying to contact the options that have reared their heads. The hard thing to remember in this type of situation (and trust me - been on your end more than I'd like to think about) - -but try to remember that WE (meaning the person/people who need the help and are panicked) have only the thing that's worrying us to think about - and we do all the time. Versus the people we're asking to help us ---even if they want to, mean to, and are going to - - - have a million other things to think about - and probably several other people with the exact same issues we're begging them for help with. I know it doesn't really help things - but it does help me a bit to try to remember that - it's not that they don't necessarily CARE....it's just that their viewpoint isn't as myopic as ours, the ones in need of help, is. 

Keep calling - keep pushing. Be kind when you talk to people - you get further - but definitely express the desperation and time crunch. Use any and all social media you can (ANY friends who have Facebook - etc) ---you just never know. And call organizations you've talked to again - you may get another person on the phone with a different point of view (or who's just had a better day and is more willing to help!). 

Keep us posted!
 
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trudy1

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I know kittychick you are right. Dealing with people where you are on the "needy end" is like I always used to say when I worked: "if you have no power you can only beg". You just hope that you find a contact who "really" listen to what your needs/wants are. Secondly that they have a caring heart. Both these are rare today IMO.

If you read many answers to people's questions and concerns on many other forums you notice many of their responses are like they never read what the people wrote.

You can tell the people who really care and are genuinely interested by reading many of the cat forums responses.

Sometimes I wish I could gather up the people on this forum, line them up, give each a big hug and then meet each need they list.

Thanks, I won't give up by it is wearing me down. If it weren't for the time crunch the in laws have on me it would be easier but again...no power.
 

kittychick

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trudy1 trudy1 the note about "people don't always seem to read what others wrote really hit home for me tonight ---I just joined a "lost and found group" for lost dogs and cats in our area and it's driving me a tad crazy ;) Partially bc I want to help find - or take in - everything I read (but I'd like to keep my husband, so I'm holding back on that part)....but what REALLY gets me is people not reading above and either repeating answering questions or asking questions already answered ---the worst being one on this lost & found site I just read. Short version - A family had found 2 young white Akitas who were both injured, both had obviously had collars that had been recently removed (they could tell from worn fur), and both were pregnant! The finders were wonderful ---took the animals straight to find out if the dogs were microchipped (they weren't), took them to local dog shelter just to register them as found, but took them home as an "allowed stray hold." The people stated how much they already cared for the dogs in just 24 hours, but were doing all they could to see if they did have owners (although they worried a bit about the dogs'conditions and what they'd do if the owners were found). They'd already decided to keep them if at all possible. Unbelievably -in 24 hours, the posting got over 1,500 shares---and something like 400 comments! (And no - not chipped, obviously not fixed, the family already had started medical care needed, and no one had come forward that these might be their dogs). But - no exaggeration - virtually every other comment was either A) Have you taken them to see if there's a chip? You better do that! You're irresponsible if you don't!....B) take them to the pound ---they're probably someone's dogs and it's awful if you not to turn them into the pound (obviously not reading the people HAD taken them there and been told the dogs were now registered & if owners came forward they'd be contacted.....C) my personal favorite --"these aren't Akitas, they're "fill in the blank" filled by a long discussion of what they were (despite the vet they'd taken to saying they were "110% Akitas"---and what does it matter?. Add to that at least 20 comments saying "are they males? They're mine". It kind of amazes me how little people actually paid attention. Initially the family tried to answer things --- but it got so ridiculous, if they're smart they turned off their Facebook ;)

Anyway --- your comment made me laugh after just reading that!

I know - and understand - you're going crazy - crazy with caring & worrying. Ultimately- if you save even 1 it's a victory 99.9% of people wouldn't work for. But I have a great feeling you're going to have 100% success. It may be slower than you would like--and who knows -it may even end up looking differently than you expect. But I have a gut feeling your amazing determination coupled with your caring and gentle manner will win in the end.
 

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I know I said this earlier in the thread but it bears repeating. Even when the construction chaos begins, continue to feed the cats and also provide them some type of shelters, perhaps a bit away from the noise. Set that up now and begin setting up a food station nearby the shelters. The cats will stick around despite the construction, I can almost guarantee this. One of the schools near me for kids with behavior issues has a farm and several barn cats. A few years ago they underwent major construction and moved the cats a half mile away to another location to avoid construction chaos. At least some of the cats found their way back to their original home and dealt with the noise and people. Yours will, too. Please explain your plan to your family. Hopefully they won't harm even if they don't help. It may be a while until you're able to re-home all the cats, so please continue feed them.
 
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dvora

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Treat them all today with Advantage to prepare to take them home with you. It isn't such a large group. They need to stay inside for a week to adapt to the new location, it's ok if they are a little crazy for one week. After a week you can put in a cat door so they can go in and out. When you move many together they actually adapt to the new location very well. They don't have to "duke it out" with neighborhood cats because the whole group dynamics changes. Also neutered cats don't fight as much.

I moved frequently in the past. Every time taking 8-11 cats to the new location with me. I took the ones that love me with me. They rarely went back to the old site because their bond to me was strong. 

When they can go outside, they aren't always under your feet. Try it, you will feel so much better about it. BTW I use thin cut oatmeal for kitty litter. It is so much cheaper (I buy it bulk in 60 pound bags because I have more than 20 cats.) This bag lasts a long long time. It is also safer clumping litter for use with kittens.  I live in a SMALL one bedroom apartment and I have a private yard.  I take care of 20-30 cats, usually closer to 30. Call cat food distributors for bulk pricing on food. I buy food at lower prices than stores buy it at. Shelters might have contacts for you to decrease food prices. Make sure vets know your home is a shelter and you NEED DISCOUNTS!  

Good luck. Don't put them to sleep.

Devorah
 

msaimee

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The OP hasn't found a new location for them yet, that's the problem.
 

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*Excuse me for butting in*

(hug accepted, gladly! and returned)

I know all about being exhausted.  So many times in my life I've wondered if I could endure things I was going through.  Short answer:  Obviously I did, because I'm still here.  Every day, I work for cats needing loving permanent homes, on social media.  Each one has a story.  Many of the stories, and the conditions they are in, would break the heart of anyone but a monster.  It gets very overwhelming at times, so I allow myself the luxury of crying.  Then I usually go in search of cats to hug and kiss.  Then, I return to my work, after having prayed for the cats, and for people, all over the world, who work to help cats, as well as those who do not know the unconditional loyalty, love, beauty, grace, camaraderie, and silliness only cats can provide.  

Don't give up.  YOU are their warrior.  YOU are their defender.  Please don't stop until they are all safe. 
 
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trudy1

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Dvora I applaud your efforts... wow 20-30 cats!

Anyway we have 3 in the house, 1 is an outside wannabe inside and three rescues in our walkin basement garage as part of another colony of 11 we just got through TNR . We were able to adopt out many of them because they were bobtails! We kept three.

So my concern is the 8 I now feed at brother-in-laws barn. They are the ones I need to place but nobody wants older cats. They range from sitting on your lap to ones that would have to be live trapped and nothing in between.

My wife cannot tolerate any more "inside" cats as she has severe allergies to cats bordering on having asthma.

We also live in a rural area on a main two lane road. Anything that tries to cross that road gets flattened by trucks, semi truck and the locals . Even now my outside boy..Henry, crosses the road and I know one day I will come over the hill and find him.

When we built I even horse fenced the entire 2 acres hoping to keep or cats in. It has mostly worked for those few we have allowed out until Henry.

By the way Henry is like that last child you hear people having after going through several children you were afraid to take anywhere. He lays in your lap for hours and is the best natured of any cat I have ever had. Funny because I just looked up one day toward the house from working in the yard and said is that a cat? Sure he came from neighboring farm. When the ranchers numbers get too high they either starve out and come our way, get hit on the road or the ranchers shoot them to keep the numbers down.

I have thought of building another cat enclosure. I have two already....one for the garage cats and another just down from it which leads out the walkin basement window for the "inside" guys. Not sure how my wife would react to another great big one in the middle of the yard. She said yesterday that from the road our place looked like "peter tumbledown " (you have to be older to appreciate the humor.)

Anyway thanks
 
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trudy1

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Some great news...see my latest post in a new thread...had to share with everyone
 

tarasgirl06

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I know these people do not care, but just for their information, laws in all 50 US states protect ALL cats.  It is a felony to harm, abuse or neglect ANY cat.  

Having lived for several years in the high desert in a community with a lot of rural minded people, I'm acquainted with the mentality, believe me.  It's like they never heard of spay/neuter or don't care.  One time at the vet out there, one of them brought his family cat in in a PILLOW CASE, only because they were moving and he needed veterinary certification that she was up to date on her rabies vax. I just about went postal on this guy.  It was all I could do to keep my mouth shut.  If I could have grabbed that cat I would have.   The vet was VERY good, but I don't know that he would have said anything to the guy, because it's his livelihood, and also, he was not a member of the larger community.

Anyway, up there, we had a 4-stall barn compound and my then-husband cat-fenced the compound itself before we brought all of our former "community" cats up there.  Everyone did fine in the compound except for one little girl who was spayed, but truly feral.  We thought she might do herself in trying to get out, so after talking to experts and agonizing over it, it was decided that my ex would drive her back down to our former location, where at least a couple of neighbors did feed cats.  Being spayed and having had her baseline vax, we had done all we could for her.  It will always haunt me.  Another cat I adopted up there found a way to get out, too, and we saw her sauntering on our land a couple times, so I brought her inside.  She just left me on 22 October of this year.  

We also built a catio off the back of our house; the patio roof and posts were already in place, so all we had to do was half-enclose it and wire the rest, plus put in a locking door.  We installed a full-length insert into the slider that led out there, with a catflap in it, plus a screen version right inside that.  The indoor crew loved that catio!  They had access to it 24/7 every day there wasn't snow or a sandstorm.  


 
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trudy1

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I know how you feel Tarasgirl. When they brag about shooting their cats when they get too many it makes me wish we had a strong SPCA here in sw Missouri! We just got through with the farmers passing a "right to farm bill" which basically says you can do anything to your animals with no recourse from the outside. It basically started because of the "puppy mill" issue and their right to operate anyway they wish with no regulation. Then according to the local paper those "outsiders" meaning the SPCA from of all places..St. Louis...tried to regulate our rural area. "We all knew who those outsiders were" (locals)

Well The Right to Farm passed!

I live in a "if your momma's a commie you gotta turn her in" mentality!!

As a for instance when I built my house it is a walk-out with two stories and a deck off the first story. So I have 10 ft white cedar posts supporting the deck. So the rumors going around the local coffee place was " those people must be from Louisiana "

Anyway as I am prone to say more on this later, moreon this later, moron

Did you push my button?

I remember a good friend, college educated" by the way, telling me that she just turned her 6 month old litter of kittens out in the woods because she didn't want to euthanize them!! No she didn't use a big word like euthanasia.

In this area and northern Arkansas where I used to live they are preparing for the "invasion " with a lot of compounds, prepping, etc. Friends tell me I should write a book after 25 years working in natural resources for the National Park Service!!

Anyway your compound looks great and the catery too. Bet your babies have a field day!!! I need to see a lot more of this...keeps me sane!

Thanks for the pics...great!!!
 
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